Boulder remains firm on gay marriage licenses

Boulder County’s attorney says the clerk will continue issuing marriage licenses to gay couples because failing to do so is a violation of individual’s constitutional rights.

In a letter to the Colorado Attorney General’s office, attorney Ben Pearlman says recent court rulings finding that gay marriage bans are unconstitutional mean the clerk is acting legally.

Clerk Hillary Hall began issuing licenses last week after a federal appeals court in Denver ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry. The ruling was stayed pending appeal.

Boulder’s letter Wednesday was in response to state Attorney General John Suthers warning Hall he would take legal action if Hall didn’t stop issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Suthers argues Colorado’s constitutional ban on gay marriage is in effect until a final court ruling.