Shoppers for reform might say the law finally gives survivors a fighting chance: Colorado now lets people sue licensed mental health professionals who pushed sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts, a practical shift after a Supreme Court decision that upended the statewide ban.

Essential takeaways

  • New legal route: Colorado’s HB26-1322 creates a civil cause of action against licensed mental health professionals who pursued a predetermined sexual orientation or gender identity outcome.
  • No ordinary deadline: Most claims can be filed without the previous two-year time limit, and estates can bring survival actions within five years after a survivor’s death.
  • Damages available: Plaintiffs may seek economic, noneconomic and exemplary damages, plus other relief a court deems appropriate.
  • Limited scope: The law targets licensed mental health professionals, not every religious group, unlicensed counsellor, or organisation connected to conversion practices.
  • State backing: Governor Polis signed the bill and an executive order barring use of state funds for these practices, underscoring Colorado’s stance that such efforts are harmful and not evidence-based.

Why Colorado acted and what changed overnight

The sharpest fact is procedural: the bill doesn’t criminalise conversion attempts, it creates a civil claim so survivors can sue. That matters because, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Colorado’s prior ban on conversion therapy earlier this year, survivors were left without a clear state-level remedy. According to reporting in outlets such as CPR and national analysis, lawmakers drafted HB26-1322 to give survivors a path to accountability without reopening the same legal issues the high court had flagged.

In practice, that means someone who feels harmed by a licensed professional’s attempt to change their sexual orientation or gender identity can now go to court for compensation. It’s a narrower fix than a blanket ban, but it’s better than no recourse at all.

How the new civil claim works , the nuts and bolts

HB26-1322 creates a cause of action tailored to licensed mental health professionals who directed therapy toward a predetermined outcome. The law allows survivors to pursue damages for loss, pain, and punitive remedies if a court finds them appropriate. Importantly, most claims are not subject to the old two-year statute of limitations, so people may bring suits years after the therapy occurred.

If the person who underwent the therapy dies, a personal representative or their estate can pursue a survival action within five years. That provision recognises the long-lasting harm conversion efforts can cause, but also keeps a measured window for legal action after a death.

Who this covers , and who it doesn’t

A useful practical tip: this law applies only to licensed mental health professionals. That makes for a clear legal target , psychologists, counsellors and other licensed clinicians , but it also limits reach. Religious leaders, unlicensed counsellors, conversion therapy camps or organisations not employing licensed mental health professionals aren’t directly swept up by this statute.

So, if you’re wondering whether a church-run programme or a family-led “conversion” intervention is covered, the short answer is: often not. That distinction matters for survivors seeking redress and for advocates planning next steps.

State response and public funding limits

Governor Jared Polis signed HB26-1322 on 1 June at The Center on Colfax in Denver and issued an executive order directing state agencies not to use public funds for sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts. The move signals Colorado’s policy preference: limit taxpayer support for practices that state leaders call harmful and not evidence-based.

Officials have not provided a statewide estimate of how many people might bring claims under the new law, nor whether state funds had previously supported conversion therapy. Still, the executive order is a practical stopgap to prevent public money from subsidising these interventions going forward.

What survivors and families should know now

If you or a loved one believes you were harmed by conversion therapy delivered by a licensed mental health professional, gather records , session notes, payment receipts, referrals and any written communications. Contact a lawyer experienced in civil claims against healthcare professionals; they can advise whether HB26-1322 applies, what damages you can seek, and how the timing rules affect your case.

Advocacy groups and LGBTQ+ legal clinics often offer guidance or referrals, so it’s worth reaching out for support and practical assistance. And remember: this law is a civil remedy, not a criminal sanction, so the goal is compensation and accountability rather than prosecution.

What's next , trends and the bigger picture

Across the country, states are reconfiguring how they regulate conversion therapy after the Supreme Court’s intervention. Some legislatures will pursue similar civil avenues, others may aim for narrower professional regulations, and some will adapt by focusing on education and public funding restrictions. National reporting and analysis suggest we’re likely to see a patchwork of approaches rather than a single model.

For now, Colorado’s move is a clear signal: even when outright bans run into constitutional questions, states can still craft targeted laws to protect survivors and discourage harmful practices.

It's a small legal pivot with big human consequences , a new option for people seeking acknowledgement and redress.

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