Colorado bill lets conversion therapy survivors sue for lifelong damages
A new bill in Colorado aims to give survivors of conversion therapy the right to sue for damages. The proposed law, HB26-1322, would remove time limits on legal action and allow claims against those involved in the practice. Major medical groups, including the American Medical Association, have long condemned conversion therapy as harmful and ineffective.
The legislation is backed by a group of state lawmakers and will be discussed by the House Judiciary Committee this Wednesday.
Colorado first banned conversion therapy in 2019, making it illegal for licensed professionals to perform the practice. Now, HB26-1322 seeks to go further by letting survivors pursue compensation for psychological harm. Under the bill, plaintiffs could recover economic and punitive damages if the therapy caused significant injury.
The law would also expand liability beyond therapists. Facilities, organisations, and even individuals who knew—or should have known—about the therapy could face lawsuits. This broader scope aims to hold more parties accountable for the practice's consequences. State Representatives Alex Valdez and Karen McCormick, along with Senators Lisa Cutter and Kyle Mullica, are sponsoring the bill. Their push comes as medical experts continue to warn of the therapy's dangers, including increased risks of depression, anxiety, and self-harm.
If passed, the bill would give survivors a clearer path to legal action, regardless of how much time has passed. The House Judiciary Committee's hearing on Wednesday will determine its next steps. The outcome could set a precedent for how Colorado addresses the long-term impacts of conversion therapy.
