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Colorado and Arizona: What Families Should Watch Before the Midterms
Colorado and Arizona protect children in different ways. Colorado has prohibited "conversion therapy" for minors since 2019.
Colorado and Arizona protect children in different ways. Colorado has prohibited "conversion therapy" for minors since 2019. After the Supreme Court's 8-1 ruling in Chiles v. Salazar sent its case back for a tougher review, Colorado rewrote its law, and HB26-1322 took effect on July 1, 2026. Arizona restricts the practice but does not fully prohibit it, according to the Movement Advancement Project, and Pima County has its own local ordinance. Before the midterms, families can watch how the courts handle Colorado's case, whether new challenges or bills appear in either state, and how candidates talk about the role of parents, counselors, and children.
Quick Takeaways
Chiles v. Salazar did not strike down Colorado's law. It sent the case back for a tougher legal test.
Colorado's new law bars licensed professionals from steering a minor toward any set outcome.
Arizona has partial limits, not a full statewide ban, plus a Pima County ordinance.
State protections in both reach licensed providers, not religious programs.
Election season is a good time to ask candidates where they stand on children and counseling.
Colorado: A Rewritten Law and a Case Still in Court
On March 31, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado's law, as applied to talk therapy, must face strict scrutiny, the toughest legal test. The Court did not strike the law down. It sent the case back to the lower courts, as CT4F explains in Chiles v. Salazar, explained.
Colorado lawmakers responded quickly. Under HB26-1322, a licensed mental health professional may not seek "to impose a predetermined outcome on a minor patient," in either direction, according to the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The Colorado General Assembly lists the bill as signed June 1 and effective July 1, 2026. It lets an injured person bring a claim "at any time without limitation."
Governor Polis also signed an executive order so that no state funding supports these practices. In his announcement, he called "conversion therapy" "a scam to waste people's hard-earned money." Christian parents can agree. "Conversion therapy" is a scam, whoever is selling it.
Arizona: Partial Limits and a Local Ordinance
The Movement Advancement Project places Arizona among states that restrict, but do not prohibit, licensed health care providers from subjecting minors to "conversion therapy," dating that status to 2023. Pima County is the only Arizona county it lists with its own ordinance.
Without a full statewide ban, Arizona families lean on other protections. After the Chiles ruling, the National Center for Lesbian Rights noted that licensing boards keep "full authority to investigate and discipline" mental health professionals, and that malpractice and consumer fraud claims remain available.
And as the Movement Advancement Project notes, state laws like these "do not restrict the practice among religious providers."
What to Watch Before the Midterms
Colorado's case on remand. Lower courts will apply strict scrutiny, and the result may be appealed again.
New legal challenges. CT4F's explainer notes that Alliance Defending Freedom intends to challenge more state bans. CT4F covers what Alliance Defending Freedom isn't telling Christian parents.
Civil remedy bills. The National Center for Lesbian Rights says it is working with lawmakers in California, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, and other states.
Candidate positions. Ask anyone running for your statehouse whether licensed counselors should be allowed to pressure kids to change.
Where Families Stand
Families, not doctors, know what is best for their children. That is why it matters who holds a license, what that license allows, and who is watching. CT4F's summary on whether "conversion therapy" increases suicide risk cites research linking these efforts to more than double the odds of a lifetime suicide attempt.
To follow changes as they happen, CT4F sends alerts about state bans facing legal challenges when you get involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conversion therapy law in Colorado now?
Colorado bars licensed mental health professionals from seeking to impose a predetermined outcome on a minor patient, under HB26-1322, effective July 1, 2026.
Is conversion therapy banned in Arizona?
Not fully. The Movement Advancement Project lists Arizona as restricting but not prohibiting the practice, with a local ordinance in Pima County.
What happens next in Chiles v. Salazar?
Lower courts will review Colorado's law under strict scrutiny. That decision may be appealed again.
Does Colorado's new law let families sue?
Yes. HB26-1322 lets an injured person bring a claim against a licensed provider at any time, without a time limit.
How can Christian parents follow these laws before the midterms?
Watch the courts, track new bills in your state, and ask candidates where they stand on counselors and children.
Sources and Further Reading
Law and Court Rulings
Colorado General Assembly: HB26-1322 bill summary and history
National Center for Lesbian Rights on Colorado's rewritten law
Colorado Governor's Office: HB26-1322 and executive order signed June 1, 2026
Movement Advancement Project: conversion therapy laws by state, including Colorado and Arizona
CT4F Resources for Families
Colorado and Arizona: What Families Should Watch Before the Midterms
Colorado and Arizona protect children in different ways. Colorado has prohibited "conversion therapy" for minors since 2019.
Colorado and Arizona protect children in different ways. Colorado has prohibited "conversion therapy" for minors since 2019. After the Supreme Court's 8-1 ruling in Chiles v. Salazar sent its case back for a tougher review, Colorado rewrote its law, and HB26-1322 took effect on July 1, 2026. Arizona restricts the practice but does not fully prohibit it, according to the Movement Advancement Project, and Pima County has its own local ordinance. Before the midterms, families can watch how the courts handle Colorado's case, whether new challenges or bills appear in either state, and how candidates talk about the role of parents, counselors, and children.
Quick Takeaways
Chiles v. Salazar did not strike down Colorado's law. It sent the case back for a tougher legal test.
Colorado's new law bars licensed professionals from steering a minor toward any set outcome.
Arizona has partial limits, not a full statewide ban, plus a Pima County ordinance.
State protections in both reach licensed providers, not religious programs.
Election season is a good time to ask candidates where they stand on children and counseling.
Colorado: A Rewritten Law and a Case Still in Court
On March 31, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado's law, as applied to talk therapy, must face strict scrutiny, the toughest legal test. The Court did not strike the law down. It sent the case back to the lower courts, as CT4F explains in Chiles v. Salazar, explained.
Colorado lawmakers responded quickly. Under HB26-1322, a licensed mental health professional may not seek "to impose a predetermined outcome on a minor patient," in either direction, according to the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The Colorado General Assembly lists the bill as signed June 1 and effective July 1, 2026. It lets an injured person bring a claim "at any time without limitation."
Governor Polis also signed an executive order so that no state funding supports these practices. In his announcement, he called "conversion therapy" "a scam to waste people's hard-earned money." Christian parents can agree. "Conversion therapy" is a scam, whoever is selling it.
Arizona: Partial Limits and a Local Ordinance
The Movement Advancement Project places Arizona among states that restrict, but do not prohibit, licensed health care providers from subjecting minors to "conversion therapy," dating that status to 2023. Pima County is the only Arizona county it lists with its own ordinance.
Without a full statewide ban, Arizona families lean on other protections. After the Chiles ruling, the National Center for Lesbian Rights noted that licensing boards keep "full authority to investigate and discipline" mental health professionals, and that malpractice and consumer fraud claims remain available.
And as the Movement Advancement Project notes, state laws like these "do not restrict the practice among religious providers."
What to Watch Before the Midterms
Colorado's case on remand. Lower courts will apply strict scrutiny, and the result may be appealed again.
New legal challenges. CT4F's explainer notes that Alliance Defending Freedom intends to challenge more state bans. CT4F covers what Alliance Defending Freedom isn't telling Christian parents.
Civil remedy bills. The National Center for Lesbian Rights says it is working with lawmakers in California, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, and other states.
Candidate positions. Ask anyone running for your statehouse whether licensed counselors should be allowed to pressure kids to change.
Where Families Stand
Families, not doctors, know what is best for their children. That is why it matters who holds a license, what that license allows, and who is watching. CT4F's summary on whether "conversion therapy" increases suicide risk cites research linking these efforts to more than double the odds of a lifetime suicide attempt.
To follow changes as they happen, CT4F sends alerts about state bans facing legal challenges when you get involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conversion therapy law in Colorado now?
Colorado bars licensed mental health professionals from seeking to impose a predetermined outcome on a minor patient, under HB26-1322, effective July 1, 2026.
Is conversion therapy banned in Arizona?
Not fully. The Movement Advancement Project lists Arizona as restricting but not prohibiting the practice, with a local ordinance in Pima County.
What happens next in Chiles v. Salazar?
Lower courts will review Colorado's law under strict scrutiny. That decision may be appealed again.
Does Colorado's new law let families sue?
Yes. HB26-1322 lets an injured person bring a claim against a licensed provider at any time, without a time limit.
How can Christian parents follow these laws before the midterms?
Watch the courts, track new bills in your state, and ask candidates where they stand on counselors and children.
Sources and Further Reading
Law and Court Rulings
Colorado General Assembly: HB26-1322 bill summary and history
National Center for Lesbian Rights on Colorado's rewritten law
Colorado Governor's Office: HB26-1322 and executive order signed June 1, 2026
Movement Advancement Project: conversion therapy laws by state, including Colorado and Arizona
CT4F Resources for Families
Colorado and Arizona: What Families Should Watch Before the Midterms
Colorado and Arizona protect children in different ways. Colorado has prohibited "conversion therapy" for minors since 2019.
Colorado and Arizona protect children in different ways. Colorado has prohibited "conversion therapy" for minors since 2019. After the Supreme Court's 8-1 ruling in Chiles v. Salazar sent its case back for a tougher review, Colorado rewrote its law, and HB26-1322 took effect on July 1, 2026. Arizona restricts the practice but does not fully prohibit it, according to the Movement Advancement Project, and Pima County has its own local ordinance. Before the midterms, families can watch how the courts handle Colorado's case, whether new challenges or bills appear in either state, and how candidates talk about the role of parents, counselors, and children.
Quick Takeaways
Chiles v. Salazar did not strike down Colorado's law. It sent the case back for a tougher legal test.
Colorado's new law bars licensed professionals from steering a minor toward any set outcome.
Arizona has partial limits, not a full statewide ban, plus a Pima County ordinance.
State protections in both reach licensed providers, not religious programs.
Election season is a good time to ask candidates where they stand on children and counseling.
Colorado: A Rewritten Law and a Case Still in Court
On March 31, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado's law, as applied to talk therapy, must face strict scrutiny, the toughest legal test. The Court did not strike the law down. It sent the case back to the lower courts, as CT4F explains in Chiles v. Salazar, explained.
Colorado lawmakers responded quickly. Under HB26-1322, a licensed mental health professional may not seek "to impose a predetermined outcome on a minor patient," in either direction, according to the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The Colorado General Assembly lists the bill as signed June 1 and effective July 1, 2026. It lets an injured person bring a claim "at any time without limitation."
Governor Polis also signed an executive order so that no state funding supports these practices. In his announcement, he called "conversion therapy" "a scam to waste people's hard-earned money." Christian parents can agree. "Conversion therapy" is a scam, whoever is selling it.
Arizona: Partial Limits and a Local Ordinance
The Movement Advancement Project places Arizona among states that restrict, but do not prohibit, licensed health care providers from subjecting minors to "conversion therapy," dating that status to 2023. Pima County is the only Arizona county it lists with its own ordinance.
Without a full statewide ban, Arizona families lean on other protections. After the Chiles ruling, the National Center for Lesbian Rights noted that licensing boards keep "full authority to investigate and discipline" mental health professionals, and that malpractice and consumer fraud claims remain available.
And as the Movement Advancement Project notes, state laws like these "do not restrict the practice among religious providers."
What to Watch Before the Midterms
Colorado's case on remand. Lower courts will apply strict scrutiny, and the result may be appealed again.
New legal challenges. CT4F's explainer notes that Alliance Defending Freedom intends to challenge more state bans. CT4F covers what Alliance Defending Freedom isn't telling Christian parents.
Civil remedy bills. The National Center for Lesbian Rights says it is working with lawmakers in California, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, and other states.
Candidate positions. Ask anyone running for your statehouse whether licensed counselors should be allowed to pressure kids to change.
Where Families Stand
Families, not doctors, know what is best for their children. That is why it matters who holds a license, what that license allows, and who is watching. CT4F's summary on whether "conversion therapy" increases suicide risk cites research linking these efforts to more than double the odds of a lifetime suicide attempt.
To follow changes as they happen, CT4F sends alerts about state bans facing legal challenges when you get involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the conversion therapy law in Colorado now?
Colorado bars licensed mental health professionals from seeking to impose a predetermined outcome on a minor patient, under HB26-1322, effective July 1, 2026.
Is conversion therapy banned in Arizona?
Not fully. The Movement Advancement Project lists Arizona as restricting but not prohibiting the practice, with a local ordinance in Pima County.
What happens next in Chiles v. Salazar?
Lower courts will review Colorado's law under strict scrutiny. That decision may be appealed again.
Does Colorado's new law let families sue?
Yes. HB26-1322 lets an injured person bring a claim against a licensed provider at any time, without a time limit.
How can Christian parents follow these laws before the midterms?
Watch the courts, track new bills in your state, and ask candidates where they stand on counselors and children.
Sources and Further Reading
Law and Court Rulings
Colorado General Assembly: HB26-1322 bill summary and history
National Center for Lesbian Rights on Colorado's rewritten law
Colorado Governor's Office: HB26-1322 and executive order signed June 1, 2026
Movement Advancement Project: conversion therapy laws by state, including Colorado and Arizona
CT4F Resources for Families