Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper reacted to Indiana’s religious freedom law Thursday.
Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday dipped his toe in the religious freedom controversy, saying Colorado’s mindset stands in contrast to legislative efforts in Indiana and Arkansas.
“Indiana is one of many states at a critical moment where they have the chance to recognize discriminatory laws as opportunities for change,” the Democratic governor said in a statement issued by his office and prompted by media questions. “The time of two lunch counters and two water fountains is long past.
“As we know in Colorado, showing your state is ‘open for business’ begins in part by demonstrating that your state has an open mind and an open heart, and promotes equal rights and equal opportunity for all.”
Hickenlooper, the chairman of the bipartisan National Governors Association, managed to avoid the more partisan rhetoric of his Democratic brethren. And he did not mention a ban on taxpayer-funded travel to Indiana () like and .
The controversy also filtered into the state Senate’s debate on the budget bill Wednesday.
Democratic Sen. Jesse Ulibarri proposed an amendment to direct the state economic development office to lure business from states that “permit discrimination” — a reference to the Indiana religious freedom law.
“I think itap good business sense to recruit those businesses to Colorado because we do have a fully inclusive nondiscrimination policy,” the Westminster lawmaker said.
Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, defended Indiana’s effort and other similar laws. “Some people have tried to hijack what is a very legitimate defense of religious freedoms,” he said, referring to the federal law’s origins.
Indiana and Arkansas lawmakers amid the scrutiny.
