A Victory for Trans and Non-Binary Rights: HB 25-1109 Passes in Colorado

Today, we celebrate a huge win for transgender and non-binary Coloradans: the passage of HB 25-1109 in the Colorado Senate! We were proud to spearhead this bill from the start, working to introduce and advocate for this landmark legislation. HB 25-1109 ensures that trans and non-binary individuals will have their gender identity accurately reflected on their death certificates—a basic but profound step toward dignity and recognition, even in death. The bill now needs to be signed by the governor to become a law in the State of Colorado.

For too long, trans and non-binary people have faced the painful reality of being misgendered after they pass away. A study in Oregon found that more than half of trans and non-binary individuals were misgendered on their death certificates. This isn’t just an administrative error—it’s a failure to honor people for who they are. This legislation adds a gender field on death certificates that aligns with identity documents, ensuring that no one’s identity is erased simply because the system wasn’t built to recognize them.

This law is the result of months of hard work, community collaboration, and advocacy. We listened to the voices of those impacted, worked with legislators and government officials, and built support to make sure this critical change. It’s a victory that will not only uphold the dignity of trans and non-binary people but also improve Colorado’s public health data and simplify the death certificate process—all without costing taxpayers a dime.

Most importantly, this law brings peace of mind. Families will no longer have to fight for their loved ones to be recognized correctly, and every Coloradan can rest assured that their true identity will be respected.

We are deeply grateful to the legislators, advocates, and community members who fought for this. Your voices made a difference, and together, we are building a more just and inclusive Colorado. Together, we will keep moving forward.