CO SB002

Creates the "Colorado Civil Union Act" allowing any two unmarried adults, regardless of gender, to enter into civil unions with the same legal benefits, protections, and responsibilities as married spouses.

Parties to a civil union receive equal rights in property transfer, inheritance, adoption, workers' compensation, public employee benefits, medical decision-making, and domestic abuse protections; does not alter Colorado's constitutional definition of marriage as one man and one woman.

Establishes procedures for obtaining civil union licenses through county clerks and recorders, with certification by judges, magistrates, or religious officials; includes $7 base license fee plus additional amounts for vital statistics records and $20 fee for domestic abuse programs.

Applies Colorado's marriage and family law (dissolution, legal separation, declaration of invalidity, child custody, child support, property division) equally to civil unions, with jurisdiction in Colorado courts even if parties relocate.

Takes effect October 1, 2012, except health insurance coverage provisions effective January 1, 2013; includes appropriations of $10,978 to the Department of Public Health and Environment and $7,082 to the Colorado benefits management system for implementation.