Full Breakdown
Colorado Enacts Viewpoint-Neutral Conversion-Therapy Ban After Supreme Court Ruling
5/9/2026, 6:54:48 AM
Legislative Action: HB 26-1322 Rewrites Colorado’s Conversion-Therapy Ban
On Thursday the Colorado General Assembly approved HB 26-1322, a bill that replaces the state’s earlier conversion-therapy prohibition with language that bans any “predetermined outcome” regarding sexual orientation or gender identity for patients under 18. The measure now awaits Governor Jared Polis’s signature.
Supreme Court Decision That Prompted the Rewrite
The rewrite follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 ruling in *Chiles v. Salazar*, which struck down Colorado’s prior ban because it regulated therapists’ speech based on viewpoint. The Court did not endorse conversion therapy but required future statutes to be viewpoint-neutral.
Key Advocates and Government Officials
- Mardi Moore, CEO, Rocky Mountain Equality
- Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for LGBTQ Rights
- Casey Pick, Senior Director of Law & Policy, The Trevor Project
- Nadine Bridges, Executive Director, One Colorado
- Gov. Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado
These leaders publicly supported the bill and its alignment with the Court’s guidance.
Youth Harm Data Driving the Reform
Supporters cite Colorado data indicating that 41 % of LGBTQ+ youth reported seriously considering suicide in the past year, and 14 % said they had been threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy.
Legal Expansion: Liability and Statute of Limitations
HB 26-1322 also extends the statute of limitations for malpractice claims tied to conversion-therapy practices, allowing survivors to file suits years—or even decades—after harm. The bill creates new exposure for therapists and institutions that engage in such practices.
Official Statements & Responses
- Mardi Moore emphasized that the bill affirms conversion therapy’s danger and secures viewpoint neutrality while giving survivors more time to hold practitioners accountable.
- Shannon Minter noted that the Supreme Court’s guidance enables protections to remain in place and protect youth before harm occurs.
- Casey Pick said the law prevents mental-health professionals from abusing trust and that ending “junk practices” will save lives.
- Nadine Bridges framed the passage as a victory for survivors, advocates, and community members building a Colorado of dignity and belonging.
- Gov. Jared Polis is expected to sign the legislation, completing the state’s response to the Court’s decision.
Criticism & Opposition
The Supreme Court’s decision itself criticized the prior statute for regulating speech based on viewpoint, prompting the current legislation to avoid that constitutional flaw. No additional organized opposition is reported in the sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The passage of HB26-1322 is a clear statement from Colorado’s Legislature that conversion therapy is dangerous and has lasting negative impacts on those who are exposed to it,” — Mardi Moore, CEO, Rocky Mountain Equality
- “The Supreme Court gave specific guidance about how to amend conversion therapy laws to be viewpoint-neutral so that these protections can remain in place, helping to protect youth before they are harmed,” — Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for LGBTQ Rights
- “The data could not be clearer: if we end these junk practices, we will save young people’s lives,” — Casey Pick, Senior Director of Law & Policy, The Trevor Project
- “This victory belongs to the survivors, advocates, and community members who refused to let this issue be forgotten,” — Nadine Bridges, Executive Director, One Colorado
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All cited sources present a consistent picture of the bill’s provisions and supporting data; no contradictory figures or statements are identified. Future litigation may test the statute’s durability.
What’s Next
Advocates suggest Colorado’s approach could serve as a template for the more than 20 states and Washington, D.C., that already restrict conversion therapy for minors. Monitoring of legal challenges and implementation will determine whether the model gains broader adoption.
