Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper on
Wednesday said he would call lawmakers back to Denver to finish work
on civil unions.
Hickenlooper announced his decision
during an emotional press conference.
The governor explained that some of the
people he knew from his time in the restaurant business “didn't
have the same rights as everyone else.”
“I had a call yesterday from one of
them and just asked, 'If not now when?'” Hickenlooper told
reporters. “Everyone deserves the same legal rights in this
country. We are depriving people of their civil rights without
reason.”
The measure died in the House on
Tuesday as floor debate for the legislative session came to an end.
Democrats accused Republican leaders of a filibuster on civil unions.
Republicans denied the charge, saying
the bill came up too late in the session.
Republican Rep. Mark Waller told
reporters that Democrats had created the circumstance “so they can
increase their chances of taking a majority back in the state House
next year.”
The impasse also killed several other
critical bills.
Democratic Rep. Mark Ferrandino, who
sponsored the civil unions bill in the House, said he was skeptical
about the bill's chances in a special session.
“I think where things are going,
given the difference of a day, or a couple of days, I don't know that
I see a different outcome,” he told the AP.
At least five Republicans had indicated
support for civil unions in the House, where Republicans enjoy a 1
seat majority. The Senate earlier approved the measure.