Colorado appeals ruling on same-sex licenses

Denver (AP) — The Colorado attorney general asked the state court of appeals on Monday to overturn a ruling that allowed the Boulder County clerk and recorder to keep issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

The request by Attorney General John Suthers targeted a July 10 ruling by Boulder District Court Judge Andrew Hartman, who rejected a request by the state to stop clerk Hillary Hall from issuing the licenses.

Hall said Monday her office would continue the practice, despite Suthers' appeal.

"I think the least harmful and most sensible solution is to issue marriage licenses and avoid the potential of more civil rights violations while this plays out in court. And that is what we intend to do," Hall said.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver previously upheld a lower court ruling that struck down Utah's gay marriage ban. It becomes law in the six states covered by the 10th Circuit: Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming. But the panel put its June 25 ruling on hold pending an appeal.

Hall's office has issued more than 150 same-sex marriage licenses since the ruling, The Denver Post reported.

The state Supreme Court on Friday ordered Denver County clerk Debra Johnson to stop issuing marriage licenses to gay couples while the state's ban against the unions remains in place. Meanwhile, Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Gilbert "Bo" Ortiz said he reluctantly stopped issuing same-sex marriage licenses Monday.

Suthers, a Republican, has acknowledged that gay marriage will eventually be legal in Colorado but has said he has an obligation to defend state laws.

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Information from: The Denver Post.

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The Gayly – July 22, 2014 @ 9:40am