The following information about abortion should not be considered medical advice. If you have specific questions, speak to your health care provider.
Abortion is a vital health care service. Access to legal, safe, and effective abortion services is critical to protecting and supporting the public’s health. Abortion does not cause long-term health risks or affect an individual’s chances of getting pregnant in the future. For answers to more frequently asked questions visit The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
DDPHE has joined with both the Metro Denver Partnership for Health and the Big Cities Health Coalition to advocate for comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care for all.
- Abortion is legal in Colorado
- There are no restrictions on abortion based on how far along in pregnancy you are
- There are no waiting periods before receiving an abortion
- There are no restrictions on getting medication abortion pills by mail in Colorado
- Minors must notify a parent or guardian before an abortion is provided. In some cases, through a process called Judicial Bypass, you can petition for a judge to allow you to have an abortion without notifying anyone. More info on Judicial Bypass can be found from Planned Parenthood and the Colorado Judicial Branch.
There are two main types of abortion – medical abortion and procedural abortion. Both methods are safe, effective, and legal in Colorado. Your health care provider may recommend a certain type based on your personal preference, your medical history, and the number of weeks since your last menstrual period.
Medical Abortion
Also called “medication abortion” or “abortion with pills,” a medical abortion involves taking two safe and effective Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol.
You can obtain these medications at a medical office or via telehealth through a licensed healthcare provider in Colorado. You will be thoroughly counseled on how to take the medication and what to expect during the medication abortion process. A medication abortion does not require surgery or anesthesia; however, your provider may want you to get an ultrasound or blood work. You are usually able to have a medication abortion up until 10-11 weeks of pregnancy. It is 93-98% effective at ending a pregnancy, and it is most effective earlier on in the pregnancy. There are court cases seeking to restrict access to medication abortion in the U.S. As of now, access has not changed.
Procedural Abortion
Also called “in-clinic abortion” or “surgical abortion,” a procedural abortion is performed in an outpatient setting. It is usually done in a medical office with sedation and/or pain-relieving medication. The procedure itself usually takes 5-10 minutes, but the whole visit may take a few hours. A surgical abortion can be performed in a one-, two- or three-visit procedure, depending on how many weeks pregnant you are. After the procedure, you will be monitored briefly and go home the same day. Often, you will need to have someone take you to the procedure and pick you up. It is 99% effective at ending a pregnancy.
Pregnancy Options Counseling
The standard of care for any pregnant person is to provide them with comprehensive pregnancy options counseling. Pregnancy options counseling, or options counseling, is a discussion between a pregnant person and a healthcare provider, or other support workers, that occurs when a pregnant person learns or shares with a provider that they are pregnant. Anyone can be trained to provide options counseling, but the information they provide must be medically accurate, non-biased, and comprehensive of all options: abortion, adoption and parenting.
Talk to someone about all your options for free: All-Options Talkline: 1-888-493-0092
Please note, there are some organizations, referred to as Crisis Pregnancy Centers, that do not provide the full spectrum of reproductive health services. These centers do not typically provide the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology standard of care when it comes to options counseling. They do not offer abortions or referrals to abortion providers.
Where to Get an Abortion
Already know you need an abortion? Search for options.
Many sites across Colorado offer free or low-cost reproductive health services.
Post-Abortion Support
Having an abortion can trigger many different feelings, including relief, hope, guilt, anger, and sadness. If you find that you have trouble coping after getting an abortion, let your healthcare provider know. You can also find support at Exhale and Connect & Breathe.
Financial Assistance
Check with your insurance provider to see if abortion is a covered service. Medicaid and other state-funded insurance coverage for abortion is banned, except in very limited circumstances.
The following organizations offer assistance to individuals seeking reproductive health care:
Local Reproductive Justice Organizations
- The Reproductive Health Equity Act (HB22-1279) affirms the fundamental right of individuals in Colorado to make their own reproductive health decisions including:
- Right to use or refuse contraception
- Every pregnant individual has a right to continue the pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion
- A fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of the state
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order protecting access to reproductive health care:
- Individuals providing, assisting, seeking, or obtaining reproductive health care in Colorado is subject to legal liability or professional sanctions
- The State of Colorado will not cooperate with criminal or civil investigations for actions that are legal in our state
- President Joe Biden signed an executive order protecting reproductive health care access by:
- Safeguarding access to reproductive health care services, including abortion and contraception
- Protecting the privacy of patients and their access to accurate information
- Promoting the safety and security of patients, providers, and clinics
- Coordinating the implementation of Federal efforts to protect reproductive rights and access to health care
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order that protects anyone seeking or obtaining reproductive health care from sanctions in Colorado or any other state. Additionally, Colorado will not cooperate with criminal or civil investigations for actions that are fully legal here.
Up Close Sexual Health Program
The Up Close Program promotes awareness of sexual health as a core component of overall health and well-being by engaging with diverse community partners to identify resources and opportunities to create and enhance sexual health programming in the City and County of Denver.