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Durango Today
By the People, for the People
One Colorado Hosts 15th LGBTQIA+ Lobby Day at State Capitol
Hundreds of Coloradans travel to Denver to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and issues
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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One Colorado, an LGBTQIA+ advocacy group, is hosting its 15th annual Lobby Day at the Colorado State Capitol today. Over 400 people from across the state, including rural areas, have registered to participate and meet with their representatives to discuss issues impacting LGBTQIA+ communities. The event aims to help remove barriers between lawmakers and their constituents and ensure marginalized voices are heard.
Why it matters
Access to the legislative process can be challenging, especially for those in rural areas of Colorado. Lobby Day provides an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ Coloradans and allies to directly engage with their elected officials and advocate for policies that protect the rights and wellbeing of their communities.
The details
Participants will learn how to effectively communicate with lawmakers, practice their talking points, and share personal stories about how proposed legislation would impact them and their families. Key issues being discussed include protecting Medicaid funding, ensuring access to gender-affirming care, and extending the statute of limitations for "conversion therapy" survivors.
- One Colorado's 15th annual LGBTQIA+ Lobby Day is taking place today, February 23, 2026.
The players
One Colorado
A statewide advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality and opportunity for LGBTQIA+ Coloradans and their families.
Heidi Hess
Western Slope field organizer for One Colorado, helping to coordinate the Lobby Day event.
Andrew Ortiz
Senior policy attorney at the Transgender Law Center, providing guidance on the importance of engaging with state lawmakers.
What they’re saying
“We have over 400 people that registered. We have folks coming in from Durango, from Grand Junction, Mack. There are folks that are driving six hours, one way, just to get there to participate in this event.”
— Heidi Hess, Western Slope field organizer, One Colorado (statenews.net)
“Colorado has done a lot of work to put laws in place that protect the rights of LGBTQ and all Coloradans and we all want that to continue to be the case. Showing up to lobby is one way that you can have a direct impact on what's going on in your state.”
— Andrew Ortiz, Senior policy attorney, Transgender Law Center (statenews.net)
What’s next
Following the Lobby Day event, Colorado lawmakers will continue to consider several policies that could impact LGBTQIA+ communities, including a bill to create a fund for gender-affirming care and legislation extending the statute of limitations for "conversion therapy" survivors.
The takeaway
Lobby Day provides a valuable opportunity for LGBTQIA+ Coloradans and allies to directly engage with their elected representatives and advocate for policies that protect the rights and wellbeing of their communities. The strong turnout, including from rural areas, demonstrates the importance of removing barriers to the legislative process and ensuring marginalized voices are heard.
