CO HB1243

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) would be required to annually license and regulate facilities that perform medical or surgical induced abortions during the second or third trimester of pregnancy

The licensing requirement applies only to facilities not already licensed by CDPHE under other categories (such as hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers)

CDPHE would establish and enforce operational standards for these clinics, similar to its existing oversight of birthing centers, ambulatory surgical centers, and other health facilities

The legislative findings cite a 10% complication risk for second-trimester abortions and note at least one recent maternal death in Colorado attributed to a second-trimester abortion complication

Effective date would be August 12, 2026, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case the measure would go to voters in November 2026