A bill to allow civil unions in Colorado could be headed to the Governor鈥檚 desk by the end of the week.

The full house held a lengthy debate on the measure Monday and is scheduled to take a final vote Tuesday. The state鈥檚 first openly gay speaker, Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver), is the main sponsor of Senate Bill 11. He says passing civil unions comes down to three simple things: love, family, and equality.

鈥淲hile we are equal in many ways, our love is not equal, our love is not equal and our families are not equal,鈥� said Ferrandino.

Democrats have tried twice before to pass civil unions. Last year the issue ground the legislature to a halt when Republican leaders in the House wouldn鈥檛 bring the bill up for a vote. During Monday鈥檚 debate Republicans offered four religious exemption amendments.

鈥淲e make exceptions for religious institutions all the time,鈥� says Representative Lori Saine (R-Dacono). She and Kathleen Conti (R-Littleton) argued that businesses, non-profits and government agencies should not be forced to honor a civil union.

鈥淚t is not just someone鈥檚 like or dislike. We are talking about deeply held religious beliefs. Our country has protected that since the founding of this nation,鈥� says Conti.

Democrats struck down those amendments calling them a right to discriminate. Passing civil unions has long been a top priority for Democrats and they are now a step closer to that goal. They expect the measure to pass and with GOP support.