Advocates for aid-in-dying met Wednesday at the Durango Public Library to discuss how Colorado could become the sixth state to authorize it.

Compassion & Choices, a Colorado-based nonprofit advocacy group for patient rights and choice at the end of life, is spearheading those efforts, and it organized a day of action in seven Colorado cities to promote aid-in-dying legislation.

Choice in dying has been authorized in Montana, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and California, either by citizens’ vote or by legislation. California was the most recent to adopt the controversial law last fall.

About 20 people attended Wednesday’s meeting in Durango to discuss the meaning of aid-in-dying, ways to petition lawmakers to pass it, and why the bill died in committee in the most recent legislative session.

“How I die is an extremely important decision,” said Verlena Collentine, an activist who shared her story about the choices she faces about death and dealing with ovarian cancer.

“I find strength in knowing I have some control over how that might happen. I want the option to end my suffering with the help of a doctor.

“My body has been my body my whole life.”

Advocates contend this option differs from lethal injection, “mercy killing,” suicide and assisted suicide. Medication has to be administered by an individual at least 18 years old and capable of making decisions, and two physicians must also agree that the individual is terminally ill and likely to die within six months. Physicians also are not required to assist someone in dying.

“If a health care professional doesn’t want to do that, they don’t have to,” said Rich Hoehlein, a Compassion & Choices member who led Wednesday’s discussion. “They just have to let the patient or client know that’s the case and make a referral.”

Members of the public in attendance called the issue a medical one that has been politicized. Several felt state Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, ignored her constituency and was against the legislation last year based on her personal opinion.

“When it got stuck in committee last time, we didn’t have anyone in this local area on the committee,” said Lou Fontana, a retired pharmacist. “I don’t think we can influence members of the committee. In order to influence them, you have to have horse trade – ‘I’ll vote for this, if you vote for that.’ We not only need Ellen Roberts to want the thing to pass and vote for it, but horse trade to get it out of the committee.”

jpace@durangoherald.com