March 2, 2015
DENVER – Next Monday, the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee of the Colorado House of Representatives will consider House Bills 1161 and 1171, two right-to-discriminate bills that would let individuals and businesses claim their religious beliefs allow them to refuse to follow laws they don’t like – including domestic violence, public safety, and nondiscrimination laws.
In response, a coalition of Colorado business owners, faith leaders, and community groups will gather for a press conference before the hearing at 12:30 p.m. in the West Foyer of the Colorado State Capitol. Speakers will urge members of the committee to oppose both bills and to send a clear message that religious freedom is important, that it’s already protected by the First Amendment in our Constitution, and that we can’t just let people pick and choose which laws they want to follow.
Due to the sweeping nature of bills like these, which are ripe for abuse and have already led to lawsuits across the country at taxpayers’ expense, a number of community groups and individuals have announced their opposition to HB 1161 and 1171 – including the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Anti-Defamation League (Mountain States Region), Colorado Women’s Bar Association, Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, and former Deputy District Attorney Michael Carrigan, to name a few.
WHAT: Press conference opposing right-to-discriminate bills, HB 1161 and 1171
WHEN: Next Monday, March 9, 2015 at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: West Foyer of the Colorado State Capitol
WHO: Former Deputy District Attorney Michael Carrigan Denver area business owners Keo Frazier and Andrew Feinstein Local faith leader Rev. Brian Rossbert Women's health and other community representatives