Dozens of civil-unions opponents gathered outside Colorado Capitol Friday to try to stop what is considered a foregone conclusion inside - a bill granting civil unions for same-sex couples.
    
More than 100 protesters were joined by some but not all GOP lawmakers. The opponents want the Democratic Legislature to reject a civil unions proposal that failed in previous years. The measure is pending in the Senate but is thought certain to pass this year.
    
The opponents argued that civil unions should be voted on by the people, not lawmakers. They say the civil-unions bill would violate the spirit of a 2006 voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.
    
Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper supports the civil unions measure and has asked lawmakers to pass it.