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?
Colorado was bestowed the nickname in the early 1990s, after voters here approved an ill-fated constitutional amendment to prohibit protections of LGBTQ+ rights. Over the past three decades, Colorado has done a 180 and is now one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country. But in 2024, what work still needs to be done? We ask the officials but also meet a local Ballroom house where members are embraced - and celebrated - for who they are.
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.
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.
A former legislative aid describes how gender identities have become politicized in Colorado, years after undergoing his own gender transition.
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.
