Legislation that would prohibit minors from using tanning beds passed the House on Feb. 27.

But the bill is hardly guaranteed to pass the Senate — it passed the House by a 33-31 vote, with four House Democrats joining all Republicans in voting against it.

Rep. Cherylin Peniston, D-Westminster, said her bill “literally saves lives” and cited rising melanoma rates among children as motivation behind the effort.

But Republicans said the bill was akin to “nanny state” government that takes away decision making from parents.

Peniston has tried unsuccessfully in previous legislative sessions to get a youth tanning ban through the Capitol. This year's effort is the toughest bill yet because it calls for a complete artificial tanning device prohibition for youths under 18, without exception.

A provision that would have allowed for kids to tan with permission from a doctor has been stripped from the bill.

Business owners would face fines of up to $2,000 if they allow persons under 18 to use their tanning devices.

More than 30 states place some sort of limitations on youth tanning. Colorado currently has no youth tanning restrictions in place.

“Can we please save lives of our young adults who don't have the knowledge to decide if this is a good idea?” Peniston said during a House floor debate that preceded the bill's passage.

But Republicans called Peniston's bill an example of government overreach.

Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said there are other kinds of hazards that pose threats to children, but the state doesn't ban them all.

“It just seems to me that, while this is well-intentioned, it is an overreach for what is an incremental risk each and every time,” Gardner said.

Gardner called the bill “nanny state” government and Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, slammed it as being an intrusive effort of a heavy-handed government.

Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen, tried to amend the bill to allow children who are 16 and 17 to use tanning beds, so long as they get permission from their parents.

“There's going to a backlash of parents,” Gerou said. “The backlash is going to be, 'I'm a parent. I love my child. I think I know what's best for my child.”

Gerou — who is sponsoring her own bill that would prohibit the sale of cigarettes to persons under 21 — urged for support of her amendment, but the effort failed.

“Like we do with cigarettes, with marijuana, we recognize that these things are not good for young people,” Peniston said.

House Speaker Mark Ferrandino of Denver and Reps. Jovan Melton of Aurora, Ed Vigil of Fort Garland and Jonathan Singer of Longmont were the four Democrats who voted against the bill. Singer called the bill "unenforceable."

The bill now heads to the Senate.