by Kaleigh Cousins

As I was tabling for New Era Colorado at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) during the 2024 election season, it was clear that many students were interested in Amendment 79 and eager to protect reproductive rights in the state. What I saw on campus became clear through the election results: 69% of young voters supported passing Amendment 79, and together, we did. 

With Governor Jared Polis signing Senate Bill 183 into law, which implemented the ballot measure, we now have a constitutional right to abortion in Colorado. Young people want abortion access regardless of their insurance. Now, we have it. 

Our new constitutional protections also ensure that state employees’ health insurance covers reproductive access, such as abortion care and miscarriage management, especially for those who historically did not always have access to these services.

Thanks to voters upholding our value of bodily autonomy, we broke down the barriers that prevent equitable access to these services. Abortion care will be covered for all public employees should they choose to exercise their right to get an abortion in Colorado. No longer will pregnant people feel the burden of paying out of pocket, experience the hassle of having to change insurance plans, or even add a second insurance plan.

Everyone deserves access to abortion care, no matter what insurance plan they’re on. It’s not every state that has taken the precautions to keep abortion safe like Colorado has. Being from a state where access to abortion care is strictly prohibited makes this ten times more important for me to advocate for the women whose futures I can help change for the better. I am proud that Colorado voters affirmed our right to bodily autonomy and grateful to the legislature for upholding the will of the people.

Kaleigh Cousins is a senior studying political science at the University of Colorado Boulder and a New Era Colorado intern based out of Boulder.