UPDATE: Colorado Civil Unions Bill Gains Momentum

In Colorado, the previously promised legislation to enact civil unions has materialized, along with a new poll indicating the idea has majority support in the Centennial state. Public Policy Polling (pdf), one of the most accurate pollsters in the country says more than 70% of residents support legal recognition for same-sex couples:

Q8 Which of the following best describes your opinion on gay marriage: gay couples should be allowed to legally marry, or gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry, or there should be no legal recognition of a gay couple’s relationship?

Gay couples should be allowed to legally marry……40%
Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry……32%
There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple’s relationship……25%
Not sure ……3%

The Denver Post reported on openly gay State Senator Pat Steadman's legislation recently:

"This is a method of recognizing committed relationships between two people and allowing them to access the full scope of protections in Colorado law," said the bill sponsor, Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver. 

He and the House sponsor, Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, are two of four openly gay lawmakers in the 100-member General Assembly. 

The measure is expected to cruise through the Democratic-controlled Senate, but the real question is what happens when it gets to the House, where Republicans have a 33-32 edge. 

[...]

House Speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, has repeatedly said the bill will get a fair hearing no matter which committee hears it. 

Senate Bill 172 allows unmarried adults, regardless of gender, to apply to a county clerk and recorder for a civil-union license. 

The legal benefits, protections and responsibilities granted under the law to spouses would apply to parties in civil unions. That includes the ability to file a claim based on wrongful death, eligibility for family-leave benefits and spousal privilege.