DENVER – Gay and lesbian married couples would be able to file joint state taxes under a bill the Colorado Senate approved Wednesday over the opposition of social conservatives.
The bill follows a federal policy change last summer that allows same-sex married couples to file their taxes jointly. Neither the state nor federal law allows couples in civil unions to file joint tax returns. The Colorado Legislature approved civil unions last year.
Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, sponsored both the civil unions law and the tax change.
Colorado’s constitution still forbids gay marriage, so Steadman’s bill deletes reference to the word marriage in the state tax code. Instead, it says that couples must file their state taxes the same way they file their federal taxes, either jointly or separately.
Republicans, including Sen. Ted Harvey of Highlands Ranch, objected to the change.
“We have an eight-page bill that does nothing but strike the word marriage out of state statute. This is a direct attack on the institution of marriage,” Harvey said.
Steadman, however, said his tax bill is no threat.
“I don’t think this really rises to the level of something that’s an attack on marriage,” he said.
The bill passed the Senate 18-16 Wednesday morning, with all Republicans opposed and all Democrats in favor. It now goes to the House.
