AAPLOG’s first state chapter has been on the move. Wendy J. Smith, ACNP-retired, Executive Team AAPLOG Colorado, writes about their fight against unregulated and limitless abortion in Colorado. Additionally, check out some pictures from AAPLOG Colorado’s latest Rally for Women outside of RISE Collective:
For far too long, thousands of lives have been silenced by the cruelty and indifference of the abortion industry. Unfortunately, Colorado has led the way since the mid-1960s, when Colorado became the first state to decriminalize abortion.
In 1973, Dr. Warren Hern opened the Boulder Abortion Clinic, where he performed late-term abortions for 50 years. Dr. Hern retired earlier this year, eventually leading to the closure of his facility in April. This is no time to celebrate, as his former staff subsequently opened RISE Collective in October 2025 – Reproductive Health, Inclusive Care, Support and Empowerment – to continue in the business of late abortions for any reason.
Across our nation and beyond, a reckoning is stirring. And as the first in the nation chapter of the American Association of Pro-Life OB/GYNs, AAPLOG CO, we are leading the way through collaboration with pro-life groups across the state and in educating the public with the truth about abortion. Our goal in co-hosting a recent event in Boulder, Colorado, was to educate the Boulder community about the harms to women from second and third trimester abortions, magnified by a lack of oversight. Many eyes were opened to this reality.
On November 9, 2025, AAPLOG CO co-hosted “Challenges to the Health and Safety of Boulder Women: The impact of an Unregulated Second/Third Trimester Abortion Facility.”
Giuliana Day, President of Life Decisions, anchored the program as emcee, introducing each of the exceptional speakers, including AAPLOG CO team leader Dr. Catherine Wheeler, who explained second and third trimester abortion procedures and potential complications. Dr. Tom Perille, President of Colorado Democrats for Life and a member of AAPLOG CO leadership team, explained the difference between the regulations and oversight of outpatient surgical centers and the absolute absence of any professional requirements when performing complex late-term abortions. This includes a lack of peer review, no mandatory protocols, no requirements for emergency protocols and no required inspections – all of which are required for outpatient surgery centers by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
At least 50 members of the Boulder-area pro-life community participated in a rally for “Boulder Women’s Health” on December 9. The rally highlighted the risks women face when pursuing late-term abortion, particularly in the absence of transparency. Participants carried signs educating the public that birthing centers and freestanding surgical centers are licensed, regulated, and inspected. In stark contrast, the RISE Collective is not held to these standards: it is not licensed, regulated, or inspected. There are no professional requirements for performing these complex procedures, no required peer review to ensure best practices, no mandatory protocols, and no routine inspections. Women seeking late-term abortions are not even informed whether abortion providers have faced disciplinary actions or malpractice claims in Colorado or other states.
The rally remained peaceful and sparked several winsome conversations with individuals who support abortion. In one meaningful exchange, a pro-abortion supporter challenged a rally participant by claiming that Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) are “adoption mills,” a common talking point. After learning about the full range of resources and support PRCs provide to both women and men, he expressed surprise, noting that he had never heard this information before. Despite Colorado’s extensive efforts to mislead voters, hearts and minds are being changed.
Abortion facilities should never be referred to as clinics since they are not held to the same high standards as outpatient surgical clinics in Colorado. They are completely shielded from any scrutiny. New abortion facilities, new equipment, and slick ads do not ensure the highest standards without accountability.
Abortion facilities are merely whitewashed sepulchers, receptacles of death.
The term ‘reckoning’ suggests a moment when consequences can no longer be avoided; when the truth must be exposed and accountability required of those who perform abortion, especially second/third term abortions. Join many who are getting more involved in pro-life efforts and ensuring educational programs, such as this one, be held across the state. We encourage everyone in Colorado to scan this QR code and/or visit the website https://boulderwomenshealth.com to learn more and to sign our petition to “Terminate the Lease Agreement for the Abortion Facility That Puts Women’s Health and Safety at Risk.”
