(Denver, Colorado) Legislation to provide health insurance and other benefits to the same-sex partners of Colorado state workers is on its way to the desk of Gov. Bill Ritter who is expected to sign it.

Under the legislation the state employee would have to be in a committed relationship for at least a year.  

Workers had been lobbying for the provision for several years but was fought by Republicans who argued it violated a 2006 referendum that defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

GOP lawmakers also claimed it would cost too much and was discriminatory because it does not apply to unmarried opposite-sex couples who live together.

The plan is expected to cost about $150,000 a year and will go into effect in July.

Earlier this month Ritter signed a domestic partner bill making it easier for unmarried couples to make medical decision for incapacitated partners and leave property to their partners.

The measure would apply to same and opposite-sex unmarried couples.

The Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act was passed last month in the state House of Representatives and the Senate.

The law will permit any two people – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – to enter into designated beneficiary agreements that confer specific legal rights and responsibilities, including the right to receive state employee pension benefits, the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner, and the right to inherit if a partner dies without a will.