The anti-abortion Amendment 62, which sought constitutional rights for individuals “at the beginning of biological development,” lost Tuesday night by a 3-to-1 margin — the same as the 2008 vote on a nearly identical measure.
However, supporters of 62, known as the “Personhood Amendment,” said they considered their campaign victorious because it “helped save babies’ lives.”
“We’re excited to try again next election,” said Personhood Colorado spokeswoman Jennifer Mason.
“What part of ‘no’ don’t they understand?” asked “No on 62” campaign director Fofi Mendez.
Amendment opponents said their coalition of more than 70 organizations and individuals did a great job of educating voters on the far-reaching consequences of this measure.
The “No on 62” campaign, led by Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado and New Era Colorado, raised about $578,000 in cash contributions, almost 10 times the cash that supporters received.
Personhood Colorado and other amendment backers said whatever the final result, they had raised awareness of their cause and persuaded some women to give birth rather than choose abortion.
“We ran a really strong campaign, and we’ve made a difference,” said Personhood Colorado director Keith Mason.
The “No on 62” campaign summed up the measure as bad law, bad policy, bad medicine and even bad religion. It organized a series of public forums decrying the measure, and featuring lawyers, medical experts, pastors and women who had suffered rape, miscarriage or fertility problems.
Opponents argued the amendment would not only end abortion but lead to a prohibition of emergency contraception in rape cases and limit treatment for miscarriages, tubal pregnancies and infertility.
Personhood supporters said opponents exaggerated and distorted the effect the amendment would have on contraception and treatment for medical conditions, including fertility.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
