Fewer GOP lawmakers support Colorado civil unions bill

When Colorado lawmakers this week launch into a civil unions bill they are expected to pass, they likely will face far less drama than in years past, yet they will do so with even less Republican support. Four of the Republicans who had supported the measure weren't coming back after the 2012 session. And moderate Republicans running in swing districts in the metro area in November lost to Democrats, who now control both the Senate and the House for the next two years, ensuring passage of the civil unions measure. "When you have more Democrats, you have fewer moderate Republicans, but I'll take those odds," said Sen. Pat Steadman, a gay Denver Democrat and the bill's sponsor.