DENVER — Two years ago Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court stunned the country by overturning Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional protections for abortion nationwide.
As states rushed to either restrict or protect abortion care access, it created an uncertain landscape for women and abortion providers. Two years in, the issue is still at the forefront of American politics.
Despite bans and restrictions in place in many states, more than 1 million people had an abortion last year. That's the highest number in more than a decade.
Many of those people were forced to travel out of state to access the care, including many who made the journey to Colorado.
"This decision two years ago really did pave the way for a national reproductive health care crisis that we are still navigating today," said Fawn Bolak, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
"I should have known, but I didn't expect it would be as drastic as it is," said Karen Middleton, President of Cobalt Abortion Fund.
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Bolak said with so many people traveling to Colorado to receive abortion care, they're stretched thin.
“We haven’t seen that the Dobbs decision has deterred people from getting abortions," Bolak said. "Actually, there was data that was released last year showing that the rate of abortion care is higher than it’s ever been in the last 10 years. I think that is a very big indication of just how strong providers, activists and practical support organizations working across state lines are in developing this national safety net. And while we have been able to do that over the past two years, I think it really is important to underscore that this environment is not sustainable. Abortion care workers are suffering. Providers are overworked. This environment just isn't sustainable."
In the two years since the Dobbs decision, Planned Parenthood has seen more than 7,000 patients come to Colorado for an abortion. Now, nearly one in three abortion patients comes from out of state.
In those two years, Planned Parenthood said they've spent more than $13 million to help patients with the cost of care, lodging, gas, flights and food.
"We have patients crossing state lines, risking criminalization, hopping on a plane for the first time in their life or driving 600 miles with their sleepy kids in the backseat – these are really big journeys that our patients are making," Bolak said.
Cobalt Abortion Fund also helps women here and around the country come to Colorado to access abortion care.
"I think that our work has gotten more urgent and important," Middleton said.
And demand is only rising.
"Now, we are seeing an increase in abortion care because you're including people from Colorado and people who need help. And the number of states that need help grows every few months," Middleton said. "And it's not just abortion care. It's also a broader spectrum of health care, ectopic pregnancies, miscarriage management and basic reproductive health care they thought they could get in their home state and are being turned away."
If something doesn't change, Middleton and Bolak worry the limited abortion access we have now may continue to be chipped away.
"As more states move to ban abortion and as we see the outcome of this next election, it is possible that we will lose even more access across the country," Bolak said.
Here in Colorado, the question of whether to protect abortion rights in the state constitution will go before voters in November.
RELATED: Colorado-based abortion fund sees rising demand. Many are from Texas, where procedure is restricted
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