Colorado's first same-sex marriage

Colorado is the eighth state in the U.S. to have civil unions or similar laws implemented, permitting unmarried couples, both same-sex and heterosexual, the ability to form civil unions and get similar rights to those of married couples. The stroke of midnight, May 1, 2013 ushered in the new era of love, and the couples were lining up to be among the first to tie the knot.

Anna Simon of Denver, Colo., shows off the ticket that allowed her to be first in line to be issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo.,May 1, 2013.

People line up for a chance to be issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo., on May 1, 2013.

Anna (L) and Fran Simon are excited to be the first same-sex couple to be issued a Civil Union license for a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.

Anna (L) and Fran Simon are the first same-sex couple to be issued a Civil Union license, in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.

Anna (L) and Fran Simon at their midnight Civil Union ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.

Jennifer Rock (L) and Nico Valenzuela pose for a picture before receiving a Civil Union license during a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo., on May 1, 2013.

Sonja Semion (L) and Courtney Law, become one of the first same-sex couples to be issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in Denver, Colo., on May 1, 2013.

Laurel Javors (L) and Rafi Daugherty listen as a couple participates as a couple are issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.

Anthony Aragon (L) and David Westman become one of the first same-sex couples to be issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo., on May 1, 2013.

Anthony Aragon (L) and David Westman are among the first grooms issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo., on May 1, 2013.

David Westman (L) slips a ring on to the finger of Anthony Aragon as they become one of the first same-sex couples to be issued a Civil Union license at a midnight ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.

People celebrate as David Westman and Anthony Aragon kiss after their midnight Civil Union ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.

Anna Simon with her arm on Fran Simon, a midnight Civil Union ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder, in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.

A Civil Union license is signed at a midnight Civil Union ceremony in the Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder in Denver, Colo., May 1, 2013.