Colorado GOP Rejects Funding For Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program

DENVER (AP) - Senate Republicans rejected a bipartisan measure to help fund a counseling program aimed at preventing teen pregnancy and reducing high-school dropout rates.

The state-run initiative emphasizes abstinence and teaches teens how to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. No birth-control is provided.

The program currently operates only on the Western Slope. However, the measure sought to expand it statewide with the help of federal and state funds. The program expires on September 2016, but the bill would have extended that date to 2020.

The GOP-led Senate Finance Committee voted on a 3-2 party-line vote to reject the bill, which had already cleared the House.

Republican Sen. Tim Neville says he wanted more information before expanding the initiative. He noted lawmakers will have another chance to look at it next year.