Sen. Jennifer Veiga

The Denver Post reports that a bill narrowly passed its first test that would make domestic partners of Colorado state employees eligible for coverage under state group-benefit plans.

The bill, Senate Bill 88 from Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, passed out of a Senate legislative committee by a 4-3 party-line vote after spirited debate.

"It is the right policy," Veiga told committee members. "It is the right time."

Republican warnings about the "homosexual agenda" were used during debate on a Senate measure to allow Colorado gay couples to adopt. The Senate approved the bill on a party-line voice vote, with Democrats arguing the Second Parent Adoption Bill isn't about promoting the gay agenda, but about protecting children being raised in nontraditional families.