Colorado is a model for what is possible when the country is stripping away reproductive freedoms and becoming more violent against Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and people of color and LGBTQ+ folks. Colorado is leading the way to strengthen abortion access and even introducing bills that could help with gun control in the state.

The PWN Colorado chapter has been in the thick of what’s happening in the state to help inform and organize Coloradans to win on reproductive justice issues.


Mary Jane (MJ) Maestas, PWN CO Co-chair:  I’m most proud about the Access Bill Package being passed. Being a part of the process, especially testifying for SB-189 is a memory that stands out most this legislative session. 

Mary Lucero-Hill, PWN CO Outreach Coordinator: I’m most proud that PWN CO continues to be an example of tenacity and unified force fighting for what is right even against all odds. A memory that stands out that helped me feel more prepared was attending the dinner orientation the night before Day of Action at the capital. There were young people present and engaged. This gives me hope for our future activists.

Crystal: I remember going to Colorado in August 2022 for their chapter training and hearing the chapter talk about their policy agenda and how they wanted to see the safer sex bill package passed in the state in this legislative session. It’s incredible to see how they’ve been able to help make this historical moment happen. It’s super inspiring and gives me a glimpse into what is possible in other states. I hope that the chapter is proud of their work; they should be!

PWN CO has  been mapping out the paths they want to see in Colorado. From flyering at local universities to phone banking ahead of critical elections, canvassing and having “deep conversations”about key issues like abortion access, the PWN CO chapter has seen a lot of promise and progress. They have helped testify on a number of bills throughout a busy session of the Colorado General Assembly, held a Legislative 101 training, and co-hosted the 2023 Colorado HIV Advocacy Day where new and seasoned advocates showed up and showed out!










































Let’s look at the numbers:

  • 40 people registered to join CO HIV Advocacy Day at the Capitol with most participating in both the training and the day at the Capitol.
  • 22 folks registered for advocacy day who are under 25
  • 63 Legislators and staff received folders with CORA’s information about HIV in Colorado and across the US
  • 140 Santiago breakfast burritos were handed out along with coffee and snack. All very important parts of advocacy!!
  • 3 bills to thank elected officials for passing ( Safer Access for Colorado – shield laws to protect those providing and accessing reproductive and gender affirming, STI, PrEP care and unrestricted access to HIV meds for PLHIV on medicaid) WHOOOOOOO HOOOO
  • 3 bills encouraging legislators to support
  • 1 terrible bill we advocated against

This level of effort can’t be done alone. We also want to acknowledge our incredible partners – CORA and Vivent Health for helping to make HIV advocacy day at the capitol possible. Kiera Hatton Sena, Regional Director with COBALT, prepared our chapter leaders for the Legislative session with a training r to speak with our legislators. 

If you want to follow along with some of the final legislation this session,  here are some updates:

  • SB 284 12 month contraceptive coverage – passed the House unamended and has been sent to o the Governor for signature!!!!!!
  • SB 195 – The nerdy, nerdy co-pay for prescriptions copay accumulator bill – The amendments from the House were accepted and passed the Senate, now on the way to Governor for Signature 
  • SB 109 – Criminal Penalty of Controlled Substance Supplier – was heard in the Judiciary committee and after hours of testimony by community members they decided to Postpone Indefinitely. 
  • HB 1202 – Overdose Prevention Centers  unfortunately this lifesaving bill was postponed indefinitely he Senate Health and Human Services Committee


To learn more about the PWN CO chapter, go to https://www.pwn-usa.org/about/regional-chapters/pwn-co/.