IVAN MORENO
Associated Press
DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Senate has given first approval to civil union legislation that would grant gay couples rights similar to married couples, joining several other states in taking up the issue this year.
The vote Wednesday brings gay couples a step closer to a showdown in the Republican-controlled House, which is likely to determine the bill's outcome. A Senate committee approved the legislation on a 5-2 vote with one Republican joining Democrats.
A similar bill failed last year. It's expected to clear the full Senate for votes in the House.
More than a dozen states allow either civil unions or same-sex marriage.
The governor of Washington state signed a bill legalizing gay marriage Monday, and the New Jersey Senate passed a similar measure the same day. Both face challenges.
Also, civil union laws took effect this month in Hawaii and Delaware.
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Associated Press