Hickenlooper Proclaims During State Of The State: 'Let's Pass Civil Unions!'

During his State of the State address, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper made it abundantly clear how he feels about the fate of a civil unions bill that is on the 2013 state legislature agenda.

Hickenlooper began serious: "Some of us tried very hard, but it didn't get done last year." But finished with enthusaisam: "This year, let's do it. Let's pass civil unions!"

The proclamation garnered some of the biggest applause and cheers of the State of the State, as did the governor's statements on gun control.

Last year, Despite bipartisan support and the bill's successful passage through the state Senate and three House committees, Speaker of the House Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch) -- a practicing Catholic who refuses to even use the term "civil unions"-- refused to call up the civil unions bill and let it die as the regular legislative session ended. The bill got a second chance during a special legislative session, but was ultimately killed on the floor by Republicans.

The civil unions bill is widely supported by Coloradans -- a poll by Public Policy Polling from 2012 showed that 62 percent of Coloradans said they are in favor of the civil unions bill, while 53 percent said they would like to take it a step further and just legalize gay marriage.

But things are very different in the state legislature in 2013. Colorado Democrats control both the House and the Senate, the first time since 2010, creating much anticipation for what could be a historic session for the state lawmakers.