Colorado now a ‘trans tourism’ state for parents seeking sex changes, abortions for children

SB23-188, one of three bills signed Monday by Gov. Polis, protects healthcare providers from being sued for providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries to people traveling from Republican states where such interventions have been banned.

There are concerns that this will lead to “trans tourism,” with families traveling out-of-state to obtain these experimental procedures for their children. The bill also covers those seeking abortions.

“Here in Colorado, we value individual freedoms, and we stand up to protect them…I’m excited by the work of advocates and legislators to further Colorado’s reputation as a beacon of freedom, a beacon of choice, a beacon of individuality where we live our own lives on our own terms in a Colorado for all,” said Gov. Polis.

“We see you and in Colorado, we’ve got your back,” said Democratic State Sen. Julie Gonzales.

Numerous Republican states and several European nations have recently banned experimental sex changes for minors. Systematic reviews of the evidence for affirmation and medical intervention to treat gender dysphoria have revealed that there is no solid scientific base to support to extreme interventions. This has led to Sweden, Finland, Norway, England, and France pivoting away from so-called gender-affirming care and back to a more cautious psychotherapeutic approach to treating these vulnerable young people.

The new law prevents Colorado courts or judicial officials from issuing subpoenas related to proceedings in other states involving a person who receives or “performs, assists or aids” an abortion or a medical sex change in Colorado, both of which are legally protected healthcare treatments in the state.

In response to states taking action to protect minors from becoming the victims of what one pediatric neurosurgeon recently called “an extraordinary medical atrocity,” several Democratic states have enacted similar trans sanctuary laws.

California became a trans refuge state in January with the passing of SB 107, which protects minors and their families from legal consequences for seeking the experimental interventions in the state.

In March, Minnesota also became a sanctuary state when Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order to protect and support those seeking or receiving experimental medical sex change interventions.