CU Proposal: Gay Couples Must Register
Regents Vote Expected This Week
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Gay employees at the University of Colorado would have to register in Denver or Boulder as domestic partners to qualify for health benefits under a new proposal
that regents are considering.
Regents had been expected to vote on the matter this week, but
delayed action until September or October to sort out who would be
eligible. CU officials have estimated that up to 600 employees
would take advantage of the program.
Under the latest proposal, outlined during a meeting of the
regents' academic planning committee, gay employees would need to
show a certificate proving their listing on a Colorado domestic
partner registry for their partners to receive benefits.
Denver and Boulder are the only cities in Colorado that register
domestic relationships. Couples from outside those cities can
register.
An earlier proposal required much more documentation from gay
couples showing they were financially interdependent. Critics said
that would put an unfair burden on gay employees.
"My personal goal is to attempt to create something people
could support," Regent Bob Sievers said Wednesday. "We are not
engaging in the issue of what constitutes a marriage."
CU employees' common-law spouses are already able to receive
health benefits through the university. And students at CU and
Colorado State University can qualify for benefits for same-sex
partners.
Regent Tom Lucero said that he remains opposed to same-sex benefits,
primarily because he does not believe they are an entitlement.
"How difficult is it to find a job, negotiate a salary and say,
`I'm going to purchase my own health insurance?"' Lucero said.
"Have we gotten to a point we can't expect people to take care of
their own lives?"
Regents had been expected to vote on the matter this week, but
delayed action until September or October to sort out who would be
eligible. CU officials have estimated that up to 600 employees
would take advantage of the program.
Under the latest proposal, outlined during a meeting of the
regents' academic planning committee, gay employees would need to
show a certificate proving their listing on a Colorado domestic
partner registry for their partners to receive benefits.
Denver and Boulder are the only cities in Colorado that register
domestic relationships. Couples from outside those cities can
register.
An earlier proposal required much more documentation from gay
couples showing they were financially interdependent. Critics said
that would put an unfair burden on gay employees.
"My personal goal is to attempt to create something people
could support," Regent Bob Sievers said Wednesday. "We are not
engaging in the issue of what constitutes a marriage."
CU employees' common-law spouses are already able to receive
health benefits through the university. And students at CU and
Colorado State University can qualify for benefits for same-sex
partners.
Regent Tom Lucero said that he remains opposed to same-sex benefits,
primarily because he does not believe they are an entitlement.
"How difficult is it to find a job, negotiate a salary and say,
`I'm going to purchase my own health insurance?"' Lucero said.
"Have we gotten to a point we can't expect people to take care of
their own lives?"
Previous Story:
- February 16, 2001: Proposal To Protect Gays At CU Incites Dissent
Copyright 2003 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.








