CWALAC Leaders Overcome Colorado Ploys to Silence Them

Colorado legislators attempted to silence female athletes and their supporters at a hearing on a bill to protect women's sports.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:33pm

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Earlier this week, the Colorado state legislature was hearing a Republican-led bill, HB 26-1083, The Protect Female Sports Act, which prohibits men from competing on women's athletic teams. When word of the hearing spread, Coloradans gathered in support, flooding the 1:30 p.m. hearing. However, the committee members, who have repeatedly refused to protect Colorado's female athletes, delayed the hearing for nearly 7 hours, effectively silencing the proponents. Despite the obstacles, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) leaders Karen Pennington and a former college athlete testified in favor of female athletes, refusing to bend to the opponents' schemes.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing battle to protect women's sports and the challenges faced by advocates in having their voices heard. The Colorado legislators' actions to delay and silence the supporters of the bill raise concerns about the democratic process and the ability of citizens to participate in the legislative process.

The details

The hearing on HB 26-1083, The Protect Female Sports Act, was flooded with moms, female athletes, and other community members who showed their support for the bill. However, the committee members, who have repeatedly refused to protect Colorado's female athletes, delayed the hearing for nearly 7 hours, effectively silencing the proponents. CWALAC leaders Karen Pennington and a former college athlete testified in favor of female athletes, with Pennington arguing that the basic cellular level cannot be changed and that DNA is either male or female, affecting physical advantages on the playing field.

  • The hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
  • The hearing was delayed for nearly 7 hours.

The players

Karen Pennington

The director of CWA of Colorado, who testified in favor of female athletes.

Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC)

A group that is fighting to protect women's sports and bring the light of truth to every chamber with faithfulness to endure the schemes of the enemy that seek to silence them.

HB 26-1083, The Protect Female Sports Act

A Republican-led bill that prohibits men from competing on women's athletic teams.

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What they’re saying

“The basic cellular level cannot be changed; DNA is either male or female, affecting physical strength, stature, lung capacity, etc., all physical advantages on the playing field.”

— Karen Pennington, Director of CWA of Colorado (concernedwomen.org)

What’s next

Coloradans may have an opportunity to vote on a related measure directly this fall. The measure 'restricts participation in all K-12 and collegiate school sports based on the participant's sex as determined by certain aspects of their biological reproductive system.'

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by advocates in protecting women's sports and the importance of ensuring that citizens' voices are heard in the legislative process. The Colorado legislators' actions to delay and silence the supporters of the bill raise concerns about the democratic process and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the legislative process.