News Sheet

Colorado’s HB 1312: Legislature vs. Parents in Transgender Custody Clash

Happy family having fun on the beach
Happy family having fun on the beach
Written by Scott K. James

Colorado Politics reports on House Bill 1312’s fight over transgender custody rules, as parents decry state overreach and sue to protect their rights, while advocates argue for youth autonomy.

Colorado Politics’s Marissa Ventrelli digs into the parental rights showdown erupting over House Bill 1312, as Colorado’s legislature debates transgender “rights” measures and parents cry foul over state overreach. Marissa’s report spotlights advocates on both sides and the battle over who really should decide a child’s upbringing.

The Bullet Point Brief

  • Parents push back: Moms and dads are rallying against HB 1312’s original clauses on deadnaming and misgendering in custody fights—arguing the state has no business inserting itself between family and faith.
  • Advocates push panic: LGBTQ groups and the ACLU insist parental rights aren’t eroded and that kids also hold constitutional freedoms—warning that unchecked “parental sovereignty” can harm vulnerable youth.
  • Legislative retreat: Lawmakers yanked the most controversial custody provisions before Gov. Polis’s signature, but critics say the final bill still threatens free speech and religious beliefs.
  • Culture clash: Faith-based leaders warn radical movements seek to “form” children via the state, while GOP Rep. Brandi Bradley decries puberty blockers as “mutilation”—and laments that parental voices are branded bigots.
  • Court challenges ahead: Four organizations have already sued, claiming HB 1312 violates First Amendment and parental rights by compelling speech on gender identity in public settings.

My Bottom Line

A gentle reminder: I’m a Parental Rights Extremist. Please, alert the FBI. This isn’t some academic debate—it’s a frontal assault on the family unit. Colorado’s Democrat socialists want you to deny both biological science and Biblical teaching in your own home, all courtesy of HB 1312’s “clarifications.” Newsflash: parents, not politicians, decide what’s best for their kids—whether that means affirming a child’s science-backed XX or XY, or guiding them with faith and common sense.

If you believe in one mom, one dad, and raising a culture of flourishing households, now’s the time to stand up. Don’t let state legislators turn your living room into a laboratory for their ideological experiments. Reclaim parental authority before the next “clarity” bill forces you to choose between your conscience and the courts.

About the author

Scott K. James

A 4th generation Northern Colorado native, Scott K. James is a veteran broadcaster, professional communicator, and principled leader. Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home. A former mayor of Johnstown, James is a staunch defender of the Constitution and the rule of law, the free market, and the power of the individual. Scott has delighted in a lifetime of public service and continues that service as a Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.