Statewide Marriage Campaign Issues Statement on Judge Crabtree’s State Court Ruling Striking Down Colorado’s Marriage Ban with Stay

July 9, 2014
DENVER – Today, Colorado District Court Judge C. Scott Crabtree issued a ruling striking down Colorado’s unconstitutional marriage ban, with a stay pending appeal. In response, Wendy Howell, State Director of Why Marriage Matters Colorado – the broad coalition working to secure the freedom to marry for all committed couples in the Centennial State, released the following statement:
“Today, all across Colorado, committed same-sex couples who have waited for years, even decades, are closer than ever before to having the freedom to say those two magical words—‘I do’—here in the state we all call home.
“Today’s ruling, combined with the earlier decision of the 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals, leaves no room for doubt that Colorado’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples is unconstitutional and indefensible.
“We call on Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and the other defendants to let today’s historic ruling stand and to drop, once and for all, their defense of Colorado’s unconstitutional marriage ban. With court after court recognizing the freedom to marry, their decision should be a simple and immediate one.
“It’s only a matter of time before wedding bells will be ringing all across the state. We recognize the determination and resolve of the couples and attorneys who brought this suit and everyone else who has worked hard, fought, and sacrificed to make today’s historic ruling a reality.”
Why Marriage Matters Colorado is broadening the dialogue with Coloradans about why marriage is important to same-sex couples and their families and why it is consistent with the values of liberty and freedom. More information on this statewide initiative – which is being spearheaded by leading statewide LGBT advocacy group One Colorado, ACLU of Colorado, and Freedom to Marry – can be found here: www.whymarriagematterscolorado.org