Child Custody Bill Controversy in Colorado
Manny Lutinel, a state representative aligned with far-left views and currently running for Congress in Colorado’s 8th District, has voted in favor of a bill that instructs courts to consider pronoun usage when deciding child custody cases.
The proposed legislation, known as the Kelly Loving Act, specifically addresses terms like “dead names” and “gender difference” as forms of coercive control when evaluating custody issues.
Initially, Lutinel’s support for the bill hinged on wording that stated, “Courts shall consider reports of coercive control in determining the allocation of parental responsibilities in accordance with the best interests of the child.” It’s clear, I think, that this raises significant questions about how such considerations might shape family dynamics.
Now, why has this stirred up such a controversy? Lutinel is attempting to unseat incumbent Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) in what’s being dubbed as one of the most competitive congressional races in the country. His voting record, particularly regarding children and parental rights amid discussions about gender, has raised eyebrows.
As one Republican strategist commented, this vote seems quite telling. “Far-left liberal Manny Lutinel is calling for the government to take away our children if we don’t adopt his radical transgender policies. It’s disgusting and disqualifying. Lutinel will be thoroughly rejected by Coloradans this fall,” voiced Zach Bannon from the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Interestingly, Lutinel’s office has yet to comment on either the bill or the reasons behind his support for it.
The Kelly Loving Act is named after a transgender woman who was tragically killed in the 2022 Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs. This legislation primarily alters how states handle preferred pronouns, allowing people to change gender labels on official documents and compelling schools to acknowledge all reasons behind a student adopting a different name.
On another front, the bill also criminalizes misidentifying someone’s gender, deeming it a “discriminatory act.” Its passage through the Colorado House was marked by a vote of 40-24.
However, this bill hasn’t been without backlash. Groups like the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network have opposed it, raising First Amendment concerns. Their lawsuit points out that the law’s definition of “gender expression” is excessively broad and infringes on constitutional rights. They argue that penalizing any usage of a “chosen name” stifles protected speech.
Interestingly, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, similar to Lutinel, did not make a statement regarding the bill amidst the growing controversy. The legislation ultimately passed both chambers of the Colorado General Assembly and was enacted in May 2025, but a few of its more contentious provisions were removed shortly after Lutinel’s vote. Some lawsuits, including one from the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, are still pending.
Lutinel recently clinched the Democratic nomination for Congress and will face Evans in the upcoming general election on November 3. It’s notable that Evans previously defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Yadira Carabeo by just a narrow margin of 49.0% to 48.2% in the 2024 election.
