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Colorado is a trans-friendly state but barriers remain. Listen to "Morning Edition" host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Colorado Sun publisher Larry Ryckman and then read The Colorado Sun story at the link below.

Colorado鈥檚 small but thriving LGBTQ+ Ballroom scene embraces and celebrates people for who they are. The houses often serve as a support system for queer people, an acceptance many do not receive from their own families.

In the final story in our series, 鈥淭he Colorado Dream: Ending the Hate State,鈥� we ask Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a police chief and a long-time legislative aide: Where does Colorado stand today with the "Hate State" label?

Gov. Jared Polis reflects on 鈥淭he Hate State鈥� label, while he himself is a symbol of the state鈥檚 progress around equality and the acceptance and LGBTQ+ rights.

The Boulder Police Department unveiled its first Pride badge in June. The badge is a symbol of the progress Boulder PD has made but there鈥檚 still work to be done in how law enforcement agencies serve LGBTQ+ people.

A former legislative aid describes how gender identities have become politicized in Colorado, years after undergoing his own gender transition.

Once known as the Hate State, Colorado has become more accepting of LGBTQ+ people. Now, heated exchanges over gender identity are playing out in school districts across the state. Some are adopting gender inclusive guidelines, outlining how to support transgender and non-binary students. How and when to involve parents is up for debate.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Amendment 2 in 1996, Colorado has emerged as a leader for LGBTQ+ rights and laws this includes ensuring transgender and non-binary people have access to the health care they need. Plus a Northern Colorado medical recsidency program is normalizing HIV care in a primary care clinic.

The number of Pride celebrations are growing across Northern Colorado but in some communities it's still a struggle to hold these events. This includes in Weld County where a local librarian - and their friends - took over organizing Greeley Pride after it was cancelled. We also hear from the organizer of another local Pride event. She was harassed and received death threats online after photos of her - and her kids - at a family friendly drag show were posted on a far-right social media account.

Colorado is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country. But it wasn't always that way. In 1992, voters passed an amendment to the state constitution that labeled Colorado "The Hate State" and sparked a landmark legal battle for gay rights.