COLORADO SPRINGS — A change to this year's ballot could change the definition of marriage in the Colorado Constitution. Let's highlight Amendment J.

Currently, the Colorado Constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The state constitution states: “No union between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in this state.”

On this year's vote, Amendment J would eliminate that definition.

“We urge Coloradans to vote no on Amendment J,” said Nicole Hunt, spokeswoman for Focus on the Family, a church in Colorado Springs.

“I hope the majority of people in our community vote yes to this,” said John Wolfe, a community member.

The current definition of marriage was added to the Colorado Constitution in 2006 after voters approved a change. However, same-sex marriage has been legal in Colorado since 2014. In 2015, it became law nationwide when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry.

“It was alarming to see that it wasn't until 2006 that people decided to ban our marriage, essentially in the state that we love and the city that we love,” said Josh Franklin, who has been with Wolfe for three years married. “So the idea that anyone would say our relationship isn’t legitimate is ridiculous. You know, whether we like it or not, this is who I am.”

The couple said they support Amendment J.

“Even when people say that the religious or cultural background doesn't match what we want, they can see that it doesn't take anything away from them. That’s just a level playing field for everyone, and I think that’s all we’re really looking for,” Wolfe said.

But others have a different opinion.

“We believe that for a healthy family and a healthy, prosperous society, we must keep natural marriage, that is, marriage between a man and a woman, intact,” Hunt said. “Children do better when they are raised by married, biological parents. These are all proofs that by holding to our definition of marriage as one man and one woman, we protect families, have healthy families and have a healthy society.”

She said members of Focus on the Family testified before the state this year against Amendment J.

“So we went and gave testimony on behalf of these children and families that this will actually create a healthier and better society and why we shouldn't remove this from the Constitution,” Hunt said.

What does your vote mean?

A no means the constitution would remain the same. The current wording, which defines a valid marriage as a union between a man and a woman, would be retained. Voting “yes” on Amendment J would eliminate current language in the state constitution that defines a valid marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

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