Protest voices: Roe v. Wade supporters rally across Colorado in wake of leaked Supreme Court opinion

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Eli Imadali/For CPR News
A crowd of more than a thousand listen as State Sen. Julia Gonzalez, standing with several other women involved in passing a recent bill codifying abortion into state law, gathers herself during a rally at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Yesterday, a U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, which in 1973 guaranteed legal access to abortion in the country, was leaked.

On Tuesday, abortion-rights supporters across Colorado protested against the leaked Supreme Court opinion that suggests the justices will overturn Roe v. Wade, the legal precedent that has protected abortion access at the federal level for nearly half a century.

Demonstrators in Grand Junction, Colorado Springs and Denver pushed to uphold the 49-year-old ruling.  

Last month, Gov. Jared Polis signed the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which codified the right to an abortion into state law. Democrats passed the bill in anticipation Roe's unraveling. That new law will keep abortion legal in Colorado, although future state legislature and governors could overturn the policy.

Here is what people from around Colorado had to say about this historic moment.

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Eli Imadali/For CPR News
Sarah Taylor holds a sign up during a rally at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, a day after a U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, which in 1973 guaranteed legal access to abortion in the country, was leaked.

In Colorado Springs, a small but animated group met near the city hall.

I'm sick of this. I'm sick of the surprises. These are basic human rights that we have to fight for every single day. And nobody can keep it going. Why is it so hard to fight for this basic necessity of life?

Beth Lemesany

I am here, obviously, because 69 percent of Americans want abortion rights for all. Sixty-nine percent. That is the majority. That is what we are dealing with.

Sienna Johnson
Nearly 100 abortion-rights advocates gather in front of the City Hall in Colorado Springs. KRCC's Andrea Chalfin.

A group of more than a hundred people gathered outside the Mesa County Courthouse in Grand Junction.

When the Western Slope decides to organize and speak up and be heard, things can happen pretty quickly. We all know each other. The rally was put together in about 10 minutes.

Jennifer Hancock with the reproductive rights group Cobalt.
Abortion-rights advocates gather outside the Mesa County court house. Many felt it was important to show not everyone was anti-abortion in conservative parts of the state. CPR Western Slope Reporter Stina Sieg.

I think in a community like this, I think maybe it's even more important to come out and say that not everyone feels that way. Not everyone agrees with what the Supreme Court is apparently going to do.

Laura Carlson
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Abortion rights supporters use umbrellas to try and block anti-abortion counter protesters gathered near the state Capitol steps in Denver on Tuesday after a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court called for overturning Roe vs. Wade.

In Denver more than a thousand abortion-rights advocates gathered at the State Capitol and marched across the downtown.

I've had an abortion. And I'm glad that I was able to exercise my liberties, my rights to have control of my body and my future.

Wendy Reoch

I understand why life is precious. I never can deny the complexities of choice because of it. These are our choices to be had. Our bodies. Our choices. Our survival.

Tezcatli Diaz
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Abortion rights supporters gathered on the state Capitol steps in Denver on Tuesday after a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court called for overturning Roe vs. Wade.

We need to acknowledge people who are in states less fortunate than us might seek refuge here. And that’s something that we need to prepare for.

Mango Grace
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Dressed as a character from “The Handmaid’s Tale” and headed to an abortion rights rally at the state Capitol steps in Denver on Tuesday after a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court indicated the justices will overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Read more about what the potential loss of Roe v. Wade means for Colorado:

Eli Imadali and Hart Van Denburg contributed to this story.