Colorado lawmakers have approved legislation that would require colleges and universities to provide access to abortion pills, prompting concerns from pro-life and religious leaders who warn the measure could increase pressure on young women to choose abortion while limiting alternative voices on campus.

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From The College Fix:

House Bill 26-1335, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Lorena Garcia, requires higher education institutions “to maintain a stock of abortion medication to dispense to students enrolled at the institution” if there is a pharmacy on campus. If there is no pharmacy, it requires health centers to provide prescriptions for students to obtain abortion pills off campus.

It stipulates that any institution of higher education, whether public or private, must provide access to abortion pills unless doing so would jeopardize its “federal grant participation, … modify the generally accepted standards of medical practice, or conflict with the institution’s sincerely held religious beliefs or practices.”

If signed into law by Democrat Gov. Jared Polis, the bill will go into effect Aug. 1, 2027.

Supporters of the legislation argue that abortion access should be available where students live and study. During debate on the bill, sponsors contended that many college students spend most of their time on campus and may face barriers to obtaining services elsewhere. The legislation also reflects Colorado’s broader efforts to expand abortion access following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Opponents, however, see the measure as another step toward normalizing abortion while sidelining life-affirming alternatives. Nathan Fisher, associate director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, warned that the legislation could create an environment where abortion is presented as the primary solution for women facing unexpected pregnancies. He also expressed concerns that students, faculty, and staff at nonreligious institutions may be compelled to participate in or financially support practices that violate their deeply held beliefs.

The bill arrives alongside other controversial legislation in Colorado, including HB 26-1141, which critics argue could restrict the ability of pro-life organizations and religious groups to share their views on college campuses. Fisher and other religious liberty advocates contend that the combined effect of these measures could further marginalize pro-life perspectives in higher education.

Students for Life of America also criticized the proposal, citing concerns about the safety of abortion drugs and their growing use nationwide. According to the organization, chemical abortions now account for a majority of abortions in the United States. The group argues that expanding access on campuses will likely increase abortion rates while reducing opportunities for women to receive support, counseling, and alternatives that encourage both mother and child to thrive.

This legislation underscores the continuing battle over the value of human life and the role of faith-based convictions in the public square. As states continue to move in dramatically different directions on abortion policy, let’s pray for students facing difficult decisions, for campus leaders navigating these issues, and for lawmakers to recognize the dignity and worth of every unborn child.

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(Excerpt from The College Fix. Photo Credit: Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images via Canva Teams)