As Pride 2026 comes to a close in Colorado this week, it is a good time to recognize the progress Colorado has made for LGBTQIA+ people.
Colorado has passed several laws to protect trans people, including the Kelly Loving Act (HB25-1312), the Protect Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care Act (HB25-1309), and, most recently, Senate Bill 18 (SB26-018), which goes into effect on July 1, 2026. Senate Bill 18 helps protect the privacy of minors who ask a court to change their name to match their gender identity. Courts will not be allowed to publish the minor’s old name or new name online or in other public places. This change can help protect trans youth from harassment, threats, or violence during the name change process.
These new laws have also drawn legal challenges. One challenge comes from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group. The group is representing XX-XY Athletics, an apparel company, in a lawsuit against the Kelly Loving Act [1]. The lawsuit claims the law violates the company’s First Amendment rights by requiring it to use a trans person’s correct name, pronouns, and gender. Even though this lawsuit is moving forward, Colorado’s new laws are still in effect.
Another issue to watch is a new Kansas law, SB244, which passed in February 2026. Under this law, a trans person’s Kansas driver’s license may be treated as invalid if the gender marker does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. This means some trans Kansas residents may not be able to use their license until they get a new one or renew it with the gender marker changed back. This is harmful for trans Kansans [2]. One Colorado-based resource that may help is the Trans Continental Pipeline. This group helps trans people who want to move to Colorado because of its stronger legal protections. It connects people with mutual aid, temporary housing, and other support. You can visit the link above to learn how to volunteer.
There are also many resources for trans and LGBTQIA+ people in Colorado and across the country. Lawyers for Good Government offers an online hub with legal information, health care resources, and tools for people affected by changing laws. You can find it here: Policy Resource Hub for Transgender Rights. The Transgender Center of the Rockies also lists resources for LGBTQIA+ people, including resources specific to Colorado.
If you or someone you know is facing workplace discrimination or harassment in Colorado because they are trans, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, or because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, please contact us. We would be glad to review your situation and talk with you about possible next steps. You can fill out our online form here: https://livelihoodlaw.com/contact-employment-issue/
Happy Pride!
[1] https://www.cpr.org/2025/05/28/colorado-trans-rights-law-lawsuit-xx-xy-athletics/
