US: Colorado Attorney General wants clerk banned from issuing same-sex marriage licences

The Attorney General in the US state of Colorado has again asked the courts to stop a clerk from issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples, following failed attempts.

In an order issued last Wednesday, Boulder District Judge Andrew Hartman denied Attorney General John Suthers’ request to put the judge’s previous ruling in favor of clerk Hillary Hall on hold.

Attorney General John Suthers on Monday filed a motion with the Colorado Supreme Court, stating that he seeks to stop Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall from issuing the marriage licences.

He claimed in his filing that allowing gay couples to marry has caused “statewide confusion and legal chaos”

“The Attorney General recognizes that this is an extraordinary request, but there is no question that this is an extraordinary situation,” Suthers wrote.

“The question before this court is simple: Should a single county clerk issue same-sex marriage licenses before the federal constituion question has been settled? No. Uniformity of Colorado law and basic fairness demand as such.”

Suthers previously sued Hall to stop her from issuing same-sex marriage licenses earlier this month.

Hartman allowed Hall to continue issuing licenses in that case, stating that although same-sex marriage is currently illegal in Colorado, Hall was not harming anyone with her actions.

Earlier this month, Denver and Pueblo counties also started issuing same-sex marriage licenses, but stopped after an order by the Colorado Supreme Court last Friday.

Hall continued issuing licenses, but reluctantly agreed to stop yesterday because of the Supreme Court ruling.

A federal judge began hearing arguments from couples seeking to overturn Colorado’s same-sex marriage ban yesterday.

• Dec 01 2023

16 TV stars you grew up watching who later came out as LGBTQ+