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Even the sponsors of a bill that will extend health insurance benefits to same-sex partners of state employees didn’t know the governor signed it on Monday.

But Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, sponsor of Senate Bill 88, said he could care less that Gov. Bill Ritter signed the measure quietly and with little fanfare. He’s just happy that all government employees are being treated the same.

“It shows that we are going to treat employees fairly and equitably no matter if their partner is of the same sex or opposite sex,” said Ferrandino. “It shows that we value the state employees who are in gay and lesbian relationships.”

Health and dental benefits

The measure will extend health and dental insurance benefits to same-sex partners of about 79 state employees. It was co-sponsored by former Sen. Jennifer Veiga, Colorado’s first openly gay candidate to be elected to the Legislature. Veiga recently resigned so that she could move to Australia to be closer to her partner’s family.

She was replaced Wednesday night by Denver Democrat Pat Steadman, the first openly gay man to serve in the state Senate.

Defying voters?

Critics of SB 88 say the proposal flies in the face of Colorado voters, who in 2006 passed a ban on gay marriage and rejected spousal benefits for same-sex couples.

“It’s completely out of step with the people of Colorado,” Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, told the Denver Daily News in a past interview.

Lundberg lobbied in 2006 for Amendment 43, a citizens initiative that defined marriage as between one man and one woman in the state constitution. Voters essentially eliminated the prospect for gay marriage in the state.

That same year, voters also opposed Referendum I. The measure would have granted gay couples much of the same legal rights and responsibilities that married couples currently enjoy.

But proponents believe that SB 88 will help the state to attract and retain state employees.

“I think it’s a good piece of legislation that will ensure that we can compete with the private sector, as well as other public entities to attract and retain good qualified employees,” said Ferrandino.

A spokesman for Gov. Bill Ritter pointed out that Colorado joins a third of all states that have similar legislation, as well as 17 cities and five counties in Colorado. 

“Public and private employers across the country recognize partner benefits as an inexpensive option to attract and retain the best employees and to promote fairness and equality in the workplace,” said Evan Dreyer, Ritter’s spokesman.

Gay advocates applauded the governor for signing legislation that they see as bringing Colorado in line with much of the rest of the nation.

“It’s a very important piece of legislation in that it shows that the state is going to treat GLBT employees with the dignity and respect that they deserve,” said Mindy Barton, legal director for the GLBT Community Center. “I’m proud of Colorado for deciding now to include those protections.”

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