Presumed Consent Organ Donation Legislation Introduced in Colorado

Last week, Senate Bill 11-042 was introduced in Colorado, which would make Coloradans organ donors by default; initialing a statement would allow them to opt out.

Some Colorado lawmakers hope that Colorado will be the first state to pass such legislation, despite similar efforts failing in Delaware, Illinois, and New York. Lawmakers think that Coloradans will be more accepting of such legislation because nearly two-thirds of Coloradans are already donors. Although Colorado has the highest donation rate of all the states, there is still an organ shortage, and lawmakers think this legislation would simply make it easier for people to donate organs.

See Bill Would Make Coloradans Organ Donors by Default, The Associated Press, Jan. 20, 2011.