Source: Denver Post, 9News Denver, Vail Daily
DENVER – Credit agencies, landlords and businesses could not discriminate against anyone based on their sexual orientation under a plan moving forward at the State Capitol.

"This is about fairness, about equality, about treating every person in our state the same," said Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, the House sponsor of the bill.

The House spent two hours debating the Senate Bill 200 Thursday as a number of Republican lawmakers spoke against it, several citing concerns over religious freedoms.

Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, said the bill would force a wedding photographer with religious objections to homosexuality to take pictures of a gay wedding.

Lundberg offered an amendment, which failed, to water down the bill so that it did not apply to public accommodations, which include restaurants, hotels, and many businesses.

Throwing religion back at opponents, Rep. Dorothy Butcher, D-Pueblo, alluded to Scripture, saying Jesus wanted people to "love your neighbor as you love yourself."

But Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, said the bill would mean her gay sister and partner wouldn't have to "traipse from place to place trying to find somebody who will allow them to live in their neighborhood."

The measure, already approved in slightly different form by the Senate, adds sexual orientation to Colorado's non-discrimination laws in 23 areas. The measure adds sexual orientation to the list of things, such as race or national origin, that can't be considered in in housing, public accommodations, and other areas.

It would be illegal to deny gays and lesbians everything from apartment rentals and a seat in a restaurant to burial plots.

The House gave the bill preliminary approval on a voice vote and must approve it once more before it can move back to the Senate, which can accept or reject House changes.

Gov. Bill Ritter last year signed a measure that bans workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Ritter, as with many bills this year, has not taken a public position on the new legislation.

"Sometimes equal protection under the law, a cornerstone of our civil society, has not been extended to all and thus, there has been identified a need for anti-discrimination statutes," Rev. Phil Campbell said Tuesday during a judiciary committee hearing on the bill. Campbell is with Colorado Clergy for Equality.

Full article: Bill barring gay bias gets initial OK in House | Denver Post
Lawmakers look at changing discrimination law regarding sexual orientation | 9NEWS
Colorado: Anti-discrimination bill for gays endorsed | Vail Daily