Reproductive healthcare services walk a tenuous tightrope

By Myki Jones and Jeanne Souldern Sopris Sun Correspondents

The Supreme Court’s June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision gave states the power to regulate abortion, effectively overturning Roe v. Wade and leaving many seeking access to safe abortion services traveling across state lines to access this healthcare.

Colorado is one of 20 states to keep abortion legal, according to a Feb. 10 New York Times article. That update declared that 13 states have fully banned the procedure. On July 6, Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order directing state agencies to protect access to reproductive healthcare.

What does this mean for reproductive healthcare access in the Roaring Fork Valley?

The Sopris Sun contacted a number of sources, including representatives from Planned Parenthood, the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), New Era Colorado and the Pregnancy Resource Center of Glenwood Springs, to discuss the state of reproductive healthcare in Colorado.

According to Jack Teter, policy director of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, even before the overturn, their clinics were seeing an increased number of cases where patients traveled long distances from all over the U.S. to access healthcare unavailable in their home states due to restrictive laws that had been implemented. In Texas and Alabama abortion care has since been criminalized.

Some patients, Teter said, have driven thousands of miles to receive reproductive care. “We’ve seen people [who] have driven with their sleepy kids in the backseat, having to find lodging and transportation, leaving their support system behind. They come from other states because those states have made abortion a crime,” Teter stated. Planned Parenthood, the largest national provider of family planning services, offers primary care, annual exams, contraceptive access, STI/STD (sexually transmitted infection/disease) testing and cancer screenings.

Thousands of those patients live within Colorado District 3.

Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-03) introduced the Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R. 128) to Congress on Jan. 9. According to a Jan. 20 press release from Boebert’s media office, this legislation would prohibit federal tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood and have them redirected to “community health centers.”

These community health centers, “crisis pregnancy clinics,” according to the press release, would instead receive the federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood.

The Sopris Sun reached out to Boebert’s office multiple times for an interview and was denied. Her press secretary, Jake Settle, emailed a response containing language from the original press release.

The press release from Boebert stated, “The nation’s largest abortion provider has no business receiving taxpayer dollars.”

Boebert claimed that Planned Parenthood performed a record number of abortions last year while reducing the number of well-woman exams and breast cancer screenings. She asserted, “instead of funding Planned Parenthood, my bill will redirect this funding to community health centers that meet the health needs of women across the country.”

Other sources told The Sun that, should H.R. 128 pass, this would leave many people in Colorado, and especially in the Roaring Fork Valley, with limited reproductive healthcare options.

COLOR, a Denver-based nonprofit, is the only Latina-led reproductive justice organization in Colorado. Aurea Bolaños Perea, strategic communications director, said COLOR “takes multiple approaches, but all through a framework that's rooted in reproductive justice.” They also educate on access to abortion, birth control, sex education, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights.

“We know that people of color, specifically the Latina community, are disproportionately impacted by any form of restrictions or bans to care, which is why this topic itself about defunding any form of health care clinic would have a disastrous public health effect on communities of color,” Bolaños Perea said.

COLOR is not an abortion fund or clinic but an educational/advocacy organization recommending policies that reflect the needs of Colorado’s Latina community. COLOR also has a youth-to-leadership pipeline, allowing volunteers to partner with other organizations within the reproductive justice coalition, “or they end up working under the dome [in the Colorado Assembly],” Bolaños Perea said.

Arianna Morales has led New Era Colorado’s initiative, The Brazen Project; an abortion advocacy campaign organized on Colorado college campuses, primarily in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collin and Greeley.

New Era historically “focused on civic engagement and empowering young people but has moved more into the issue advocacy space,” Morales said.

Pregnancy resource centers, which she called “anti-abortion centers,” are not viable alternatives to reproductive healthcare providers, she said. “They don't provide comprehensive care services and actually push shameful misinformation and dangerous practices,” including the controversial abortion pill “reversal” procedure.

Morales claimed that the clinics are often limited in services, such as ultrasounds and STI/ STD testing, due to a lack of medical providers on staff. She explained, “For the people we serve, this bill is not aligned with their values, and it can be dangerous to the safe haven identity of our state.”

The Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) of Glenwood Springs, a nonprofit founded in 1985, offers free pregnancy and limited ultrasound testing, counseling support services and STI/STD testing.

Executive Director Marylu Sims shared, “We do not make referrals for abortion,” which is also stated on PRC’s website homepage.

PRC provides private consultations with a nurse for those who wish to learn more about or who are considering using the abortion pill, Mifepristone, which is used to terminate a pregnancy of 10 weeks or fewer.

Sims explained, “because Mifepristone has many risks,” they offer an ultrasound to check for a viable intrauterine pregnancy with no abnormalities. If signs of an IC [interstitial cystitis] pregnancy are found, “our client is strongly advised to go to an emergency room immediately, and if signs of a miscarriage are found, our client is urgently referred to an OB [obstetrician] or emergency room,” she said.

PRC staff includes an overseeing doctor, overseeing nurse practitioner, three registered nurses trained as sonographers and a clinical director performing administrative and clinical duties.

While the reproductive healthcare landscape in Colorado remains untouched by federal legislation, political wills could quickly change that reality.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 9

LEGAL CLINIC

Basalt Library hosts a free legal clinic from 2 to 5pm. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions for parties without an attorney. To sign up, call 970-927-4311 or email info@basaltlibrary.org

GENEALOGY 101

The Glenwood Springs Library hosts the Glenwood Genealogy Group for a three-part series on Thursdays at 6pm beginning tonight.

FANTASTIC MR. FOX

Stage of Life Theatre Company presents “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” at the Thunder River Theatre this weekend with 6pm showings, a 1pm Saturday matinee and 2pm Sunday matinee. Tickets at www.bit.ly/SoLFox

UNEXPECTED HOSTS

The Aspen Science Center Hometown Science Café Series presents Dr. Ann Hawkinson on viral infections and animals at the Casey Brewing Taproom in Glenwood Springs at 6:30pm.

P&Z

Carbondale’s Planning and Zoning Commission meets at Town Hall at 7pm to discuss the Roaring Fork School District’s Meadowood Employee Housing proposal.

TENSION�TRAUMA

The Center for Human Flourishing offers a facilitated Tension/Trauma Release Exercises session at the Third Street Center at 7:15pm on Thursdays through March 23. Learn more by emailing info@tcfhf.org

Commercial Space on Basalt’s Main Street

Prime retail and office building in downtown Basalt! Located in the middle of Basalt’s main street, this opportunity is rare and desirable. The street level offers a fantastic potential retail storefront with an upper level perfectly divided for office space overlooking Midland Avenue. Snag this opportunity while it lasts. This is also available to be rented separately with retail on the main level and office space on the upper level.

FASHION SHOW

Carbondale Arts’ Green Is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza returns this weekend with shows at 8pm. Tickets are already sold out!

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

CREATOR CLUB

Students in third through fifth grade are invited to explore imaginative creation at the Carbondale Library on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 3:30pm.

ART IN THE STACKS

The Glenwood Springs Art Guild presents works at the Glenwood Springs Library through April 28 with a reception tonight at 5pm.

CRYSTAL THEATRE

“Champions” opens at the Crystal

Theatre and continues on March 11, 15 and 16 at 7pm. The Sunday show on March 12 is at 5pm.

OATES & TRAPP

The Wheeler Opera House presents “An Evening of Songs and Stories with John Oates and Guthrie Trapp” at 7:30pm. Tickets at www.aspenshowtix.com

ASPENGLOW

Aspenglow performs at The Black Nugget at 9pm.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

UPHILL RACE

Ute Mountaineer and the City of Aspen present the 2023 America’s Uphill race beginning at 7am. Snowshoers, runners, nordic skiers, telemark skiers and alpine touring skiers will climb more than 3,000 feet in 2.5 miles. To register, visit www.utemountaineer.com

BIODYNAMIC TREES

Sustainable Settings offers a fruit tree pruning and enhancements workshop from 10am to 4pm with a simple lunch included. To register, call 970-963-6107 or email rose@sustainablesettings.org

MORSE CODE

Bob Cutter teaches all about morse code, the telegraph and their historical uses in the area at the Glenwood Springs Library at 10am.

PRINTED LANDSCAPE

Jim Harris leads a relief printmaking workshop at The Art Base from 10am to 3pm with supplies included. Sign up at theartbase.org

HOMESTAKE SNOWSHOE

Wilderness Workshop leads a snowshoe hike through Homestake Valley beginning at Blodgett Campground near Red Cliff at 10am. The event is free; registration at www. wildernessworkshop.org/events

LUNAFEST

Advocate Safehouse Project presents Lunafest — films by and about women — at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs at 4 and 7pm. There will also be a remote viewing option. Tickets and more info at www. advocatesafehouseproject.org

‘HIGH COUNTRY’

Aspen Journalism brings Conor Hagan to the Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen for a screening of his film, “High Country,” followed by a discussion on the topics of community and conservation at 6pm. Visit www.bit. ly/HighCountryfilm for more info.

STEVE’S GUITARS

Steve’s Guitars presents a classical performance with Ensemble Basso at 7pm. Tickets at www.stevesguitars.net

CONTRA DANCE

Swing your partner and do-si-do your neighbor with live music by the Wooden Nickel String Band at the Carbondale Community School from 8 to 10pm. Newbies are invited to learn the basics of contra dance at 7:30pm.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

QUILT GUILD

The Roaring Fork Valley Quilting Guild celebrates National Quilt Month with an exhibition at the Basalt Library from 2 to 5pm.

YOUTH ORCHESTRA

The Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra performs a free concert at the Third Street Center at 4pm.

JACKIE GREENE

Americana singer-songwriter

Jackie Greene performs at TACAW at 8pm. Tickets at www.tacaw.org

MONDAY, MARCH 13

PERSPECTIVES

The Carbondale Clay Center presents works by local high school students through April 14.

BRIDGE!

Basalt Library hosts bridge players on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 4 to 6pm. All levels are welcome!

SOUNDS OF BRASS

Basalt Library presents the Ensemble Flatirons for a free brass quintet concert from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

AUTHOR TALK

Scott Graham talks about his “National Park Mystery” series at the Glenwood Springs Library at 2pm.

DRAWING CLUB

The Roaring Fork Drawing Club gathers at Carbondale Beer Works at 6:30pm. BYO-drawing stuff.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

STEM

The Aspen Science Center dives into a different Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) topic each third Wednesday at Basalt Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm. These activities are designed for ages 5 to 11.

FIGURE DRAWING

Shawna Miller teaches figure drawing at The Art Base from 6 to 8pm. Sign up at theartbase.org

COEXISTING WITH WOLVES

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies presents “Living with Wolves: Coexistence in Colorado” (free) at the Wheeler Opera House from 6 to 8pm. Register at www.aspenshowtix.com

SUPPER CLUB

TACAW hosts “Supper Club” every other Wednesday through March, including today! Dinner starts at 6pm. Visit tacaw.org for more info.

SNOW FLOW

The Aspen Science Center Hometown Science Café Series presents Heather Lewin of Roaring Fork Conservancy on snowpack and streamflows at the Casey Brewing Taproom in Glenwood Springs at 6:30pm.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Dr. Clair Rummel leads a caregiver support group for caregivers of people living with Alzheimers or other cognitive impairments at the Basalt Library, today and tomorrow at 10:30am. For more info, visit basaltlibrary.org

EAGLE COMMISSIONERS

The Eagle County Commissioners hold office hours at the Basalt Library from 11am to 1pm. This is a regular occurrence on the third Thursday of each month.

BOEBERT OFFICE HOURS

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s staff visits the Rifle Library from 11am to noon to hear from and help constituents.

BOOK CLUB

The Third Thursday Book Club discusses books by Alan Furst at the Carbondale Library at 2pm. Next month, April 20, the club will discuss “The Last Kingdom” by Bernard Cornwell.

ST. PATRICK’S DINNER

St. Vincent Catholic Church in Basalt (250 Midland Avenue) serves corned beef and cabbage from 4:30 to 8pm.

RIFLE GAP

Anglers and boating enthusiasts are invited to attend an inperson public meeting at Rifle Gap State Park from 6 to 7:30pm to provide input on proposed changes designed to reduce the risk of introducing aquatic nuisance species.

POLLINATOR DISCOVERY

The Aspen Science Center Hometown Science Café Series continues with Dr. Phillip Halliwell and “Citizen Science for Pollinator Discovery” at the Third Street Center at 6:30pm.

March

March

Hadley

HANS is a friendly, outgoing, one year old male cat who started using a stranger’s dog door to make some new friends. After checking

Sunday, March 12, 10am

Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist