Senate committee rejects bill to fund Colorado contraception program

Photo: The Colorado Capitol's gold dome, viewed from the west
The gold dome on the Capitol in Denver.

Photo: The Colorado Capitol's gold dome, viewed from the westA bill to fund a Colorado program credited with reducing the state’s teen pregnancy and abortion rates was voted down in a state Senate committee Wednesday night.

The family planning initiative supplied clinics with free long-lasting contraception such as IUDs and implants. The grant money supporting the program runs out this year and the governor was seeking state funds to continue it.

But a Republican-controlled committee defeated the measure Wednesday evening on a party line vote. Republican senators have said it’s not an appropriate use of state funds.