DENVER -- Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has signed Senate Bill 200, which among other things, extends discrimination protection to cover sexual orientation.

The bill initially outlines requirements for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and also bans discrimination based on sexual orientation for things like housing, car insurance, funeral services and public accommodation.

The bill also extends bans on discrimination, where previously unwritten, for things like race, creed, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status and national origin or ancestry.

A state senator, and sponsor of the bill, said Focus on the Family is using "scare tactics" to condemn the legislation.

Democrat Jennifer Veiga was responding to a statement by Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, who said the bill signed by Ritter could let sexual predators go into women's bathrooms.

Dobson said the bill signals the end of gender-specific restrooms.

Veiga called Dobson's comments offensive and said she was frustrated with his "scare tactics."