Colorado became the ninth state to allow civil unions for gay and heterosexual couples. (Goxxy/Flickr)

Couples gathered at Denver's Wellington E. Web Building to take part in a civil union ceremony. Many of Colorado's government officials were in attendance, including U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette and Mayor Michael Hancock.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the law allowing same-sex and heterosexual couples to form civil unions on March 21.

Colorado is the ninth state allowing civil unions or a similar law in place. Nine states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.

Colorado voters banned same-sex marriage in 2006, but speakers like Hancock said it was time for change and "will not stop until our state residents…have full marriage equality under the law."

Read the full story at the Denver Post.

Reach Executive Producer Amanda Martinez here.