HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/05/2022 - RESOLUTION 2022-070 EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL'S SUPPO Agenda Item 13
Item # 13 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY July 5, 2022
City Council
STAFF
Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager
Carrie M. Daggett, Legal
SUBJECT
Resolution 2022-070 Expressing the Council’s Support for Protection of Reproductive Rights and Concern
about the Threat to Them Presented by Recent U.S. Supreme Court Action.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to bring a Resolution, after consultation with the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem,
expressing concern regarding the recent United States Suprem e Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s
Health Organization, and expressing support for protection of reproductive rights, privacy, dignity, and self -
determination.
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RESOLUTION 2022-070
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL’S SUPPORT FOR
PROTECTION OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
AND CONCERN ABOUT THE THREAT TO THEM
PRESENTED BY RECENT U.S. SUPREME COURT ACTION
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, issued its decision in
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, expressly overturning the Supreme Court’s
1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which determined the privacy rights guaranteed under the U.S.
Constitution protect the right to terminate a pregnancy, with some limitation, and the Supreme
Court’s 1992 Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey decision, which reaffirmed the
central holding of Roe; and
WHEREAS, the Dobbs decision takes from millions of Americans a fundamental,
protected right to make their own reproductive health decisions, including whether and when to
carry a pregnancy to term, and accordingly the right to bodily integrity and self-determination;
and
WHEREAS, the effects of Dobbs will be experienced disproportionately by people of
color, economically disadvantaged people and all others who face discrimination in the health
care system; and
WHEREAS, the Dobbs decision will enable states to force women and girls, regardless
of age, who are victims of rape or incest to carry pregnancies to term, and to subject them to the
medical and other risks; and
WHEREAS, denying reproductive freedom can negatively impact the education, career,
financial future, health and safety of all who may become pregnant; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, the Colorado General Assembly adopted, and Governor Jared Polis
signed into law, HB22-1279, known as the Reproductive Health Equity Act, to provide statutory
protection for the right to abortion in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, other states surrounding Colorado are poised to enact or have already
enacted laws to restrict or deny abortions to women and girls, making Colorado a “safe haven”
state that will be impacted by an influx of out-of-state women and girls who are able to travel
here to exercise the right to terminate a pregnancy; and
WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing, the Council seeks to express its support for the
protection of reproductive rights and concern about the Dobbs decision and its expected effects;
and
WHEREAS, the Council further intends to take such steps as may be appropriate to
protect the Colorado law preserving abortion access in Colorado and support legislative actions
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advancing the rights of women and girls in Colorado and upholding all persons’ rights to
privacy, dignity and self-determination.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby adopts the determinations and findings
contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby establishes as the legislative policy of the
City the support of legislative efforts consistent with the principles set forth above.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 5th
day of July, A.D. 2022.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk