GOP lawmakers in the Colorado House are
evenly split on civil unions, Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Priola has said.
Speaking to the Denver
Post, Priola, a Republican who has publicly supported civil
unions, said the GOP House caucus is divided “one third, one third,
one third” in favor, opposed and undecided on the issue.
The debate on government recognition
for gay couple has split Republicans, Priola said.
“You see it nationally with the
Santorum and Romney race,” he told the paper.
A civil unions bill died last year in a
Republican-controlled House committee after the Senate gave its
approval. Supporters reintroduced the measure this year and the
House remains its highest hurdle to clear.
Supporters have said the House would
approve the measure if it only reached the floor for a vote, despite
a GOP 1 seat majority.
“If we can just flip one person in
committee, we can get this passed,” said House Minority Leader Mark
Ferrandino, an openly gay Democrat who last year sponsored the bill
in the House.
(Related: FRC's
Tom Minnery says Colorado civil unions bill would hurt kids.)