HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.108.2006
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY COLORADO,
IN SUPPORT OF REFERENDUM I,
AMENDING STATE STATUTES TO ESTABLISH
LEGAL DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS IN THE STATE OF COLORADO
Resolution # / iJ't - ,. tftJt
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Recitals
1. The Board of County Conunissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado has reviewed
statewide ballot issues appearing on this November's ballot, including Referendum I,
amending state statutes to establish legal domestic partnerships in the State of Colorado.
2. Referendum I proposes to add to Colorado Statutes a new Article 15, the
Colorado Domestic Partnership Benefits and Responsibilities Act.
3. The purpose of the Act is to provide eligible same-sex couples the opportunity to
obtain the benefits, protections and responsibilities afforded to married couples by
creating a new legal relationship called a domestic partnership.
4. The Act specifies that domestic partnerships are not marriage and do not change
the public policy of the State that defines marriage as only the union of one man and one
woman.
5. The Act would allow domestic partners the right to jointly hold property with
rights of inheritance; jointly incur and be liable for debt; cover a partner as a dependent
under life and health care insurance policies; obtain family leave benefits; commit a
partner to a mental health facility; be protected under domestic violence laws and dispose
of a deceased partner's last remains.
6. The Act will apply existing laws to domestic partners, including laws pertaining
to medical care decisions, hospital visitation and terminal care documents; granting
workers' compensation payments; allowing civil lawsuits based on spousal status, like
wrongful death cases; prohibiting discrimination based on spousal status for housing and
employment; and governing legal separation, divorce, property division, spousal
maintenance and child custody and support.
7. The Board of County Commissioners believes that same-sex couples deserve
access to the legal protections, responsibilities and benefits granted to married couples
and that Referendum I accomplishes that goal.
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8. The Board of County Commissioners does not believe that the establishment of
domestic partnerships in any way diminishes the significance of marriage.
THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED that th'e Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin
County, Colorado supports Referendum I and urges the electorate to vote yes on
Referendum I on November 7,2006.
INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED ON THE 27th DAY OF SEPTEMBER,
2006.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS OF
COUNTY, COLORADO
COUNTY
PITKIN
i
By: \
Je
1111I&
By: ~~/'i- 2&-56
Michael C. Ireland, Chair
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