Archdiocese of Denver - Legislative Updates

Legislative Updates

The Colorado Catholic Conference
http://www.cocatholicconference.org/
For more detailed legislative updates, your local legislator's contact information, and much more, contact the Colorado Catholic Conference, the official lobbying arm for the Catholic Church in the state of Colorado.

Colorado Catholic Conference opposes three hospital bills: HB 1203, HB 1173 and SB 182
March 19, 2008 - The Colorado Catholic Conference strongly opposes three bills intended to interfere with the efforts by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System to purchase Exempla Lutheran Medical Center and Exempla Good Samaritan Hospital: House Bill 1203, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Carroll and Sen. Betty Boyd, House Bill 1173, sponsored by Rep. Anne McGihon and Sen. Brandon Shaffer, and Senate Bill 182, sponsored by Sen. Boyd & Rep. McGihon. Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput offers commentary on the bills; click here to read the column.

House Bill 1080

March 19, 2008 - Legislators officially withdrew House Bill 1080 from further discussion, effectively killing it for the 2008 legislative session. HB 1080 caused serious concern for Denver Catholic Charities and other religiously affiliated social service programs.

"HB 1080: how to write a really bad bill"
Jan. 23, 2008 - Archbishop Chaput first expressed concern over HB 1080 in his Jan 23. weekly column in the Denver Catholic Register. Click here to read the full article.
"Protecting the Church’s freedom in Colorado"
Feb. 6, 2008 - Archbishop Chaput speaks as part of a Colorado coalition of religiously affiliated social service providers, all of whom have voiced concern about House Bill 1080. Click here to read the full article in First Things journal.
Q&A interview about HB 1080 with Archbishop Chaput
Jan. 31, 2008 - In a Jan 31. Rocky Mountain News interview (click here to read), Archbishop Chaput explains the flaws of House Bill 1080. Chaput says this bill shows “hostility toward religion” and “new form of prejudice using the 'separation of Church and state' as an alibi.”
Catholic Charities director explains dangers of HB 1080 in Letter to Editor
Jan. 30, 2008 - The Jan. 30 Denver Catholic Register printed two Letters to the Editor side by side, one from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the corresponding response from the President of Catholic Charities of Denver. Click here to read Catholic Charities’ rebuttal; click here to read the ADL’s original letter.
"The New Attack on Christian Charities"
Feb. 7, 2008 - Chris Rose, the president of Catholic Charities of Denver, considers how religious freedom has been a central tenet of Catholic Charities' since its creation. Click here to read the article.
Vatican cardinal sides with Denver archbishop in debate over HB 1080
Jan. 29, 2008 - Click here to read Catholic News Agency coverage of a Vatican official’s statement of support towards Archbishop Chaput and the ongoing debate about the dangers of the potential piece of legislation.
Discussing HB 1080 on KHOW’s Caplis and Silverman Show
Jan. 29, 2008 - Christopher Rose, the President of Catholic Charities of Denver, joins KHOW’s Caplis and Silverman Show to answer questions about how HB 1080 threatens the work of the social services arm of the Catholic Church in Colorado. Click here to listen to the recording.

Religious groups ask Colorado legislature for respectful immigration debate
Feb. 5, 2008 - On Monday, Feb. 4, a group of interfaith religious leaders, including the Colorado Catholic Conference, asked the Colorado legislature to sign a "pledge of respect" to be honored in all debates regarding immigration. Click here to read more.