DENVER (AP) -- Civil unions for gay couples are expected to get approval from Colorado House lawmakers and the bill will be on its way to the governor's desk to become law.
Tuesday's final vote on the measure will mark a historic shift in the state where voters banned gay marriage seven years ago. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper plans to sign the bill.
The proposal has been one of the most emotional and contentious of the last three sessions. Gay couples have urged lawmakers to pass the bill, saying it would grant them legal protections they don't have because they're not allowed to marry.
Republicans have argued the bill undermines the institution of marriage and that it doesn't provide religious exemptions for those opposed to civil unions.
About a dozen states have civil unions or similar laws.
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