Colorado Amendment 48 (2008)
Encyclopedia
Colorado Amendment 48 is a proposed initiative to amend the definition of a person to "any human being from the moment of fertilization."
The initiative was proposed jointly by Kristine Burton and Michael Burton of Colorado for Equal Rights.
This definition applies to all sections of Colorado law, thus giving a fetus the equal rights of life, liberty, and property as another person would.
SECTION 1. Article II of the constitution of the state of Colorado is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
Section 31. Person defined. AS USED IN SECTIONS 3, 6, AND 25 OF ARTICLE II OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION, THE TERMS "PERSON" OR "PERSONS" SHALL INCLUDE ANY HUMAN BEING FROM THE MOMENT OF FERTILIZATION.
and 2008 Colorado Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Mark Udall
are joined by pro-life Democratic Governor Bill Ritter, National Right to Life Committee
(NRLC), and Republican Senate candidate Bob Schaffer
.
The initiative was proposed jointly by Kristine Burton and Michael Burton of Colorado for Equal Rights.
This definition applies to all sections of Colorado law, thus giving a fetus the equal rights of life, liberty, and property as another person would.
Text of the Proposal
Be it Enacted by the People of the State of Colorado:SECTION 1. Article II of the constitution of the state of Colorado is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
Section 31. Person defined. AS USED IN SECTIONS 3, 6, AND 25 OF ARTICLE II OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION, THE TERMS "PERSON" OR "PERSONS" SHALL INCLUDE ANY HUMAN BEING FROM THE MOMENT OF FERTILIZATION.
Controversy
Colorado Right to Life supports the amendment. One source claims there is a bipartisan opposition -- Planned ParenthoodPlanned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
and 2008 Colorado Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Mark Udall
Mark Udall
Mark Emery Udall is the senior United States Senator from Colorado and a member of the Democratic Party. From 1999 to 2009, Udall served in the United States House of Representatives, representing . He also served a term in the Colorado House of Representatives.Born in Tucson, Arizona, he is the...
are joined by pro-life Democratic Governor Bill Ritter, National Right to Life Committee
National Right to Life Committee
The National Right to Life Committee is the oldest and largest pro-life organization in the United States with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. The group works through legislation and education to work against abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted...
(NRLC), and Republican Senate candidate Bob Schaffer
Bob Schaffer
Robert Warren "Bob" Schaffer was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Colorado in the 105th Congress and the two succeeding Congresses . In 2004, Schaffer lost in the primary election to be the Republican nominee for a U.S. Senate seat...
.