Colorado attorney general to respond to governor’s complaint

Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman is responding to Gov. John Hickenlooper’s complaint to the state Supreme Court about lawsuits she filed against the federal government over his objections.

Coffman is expected to file a motion Friday.

Hickenlooper asked the Supreme Court on Nov. 4 to issue a rule saying Coffman cannot sue the U.S. government without his permission. Coffman has said she has the right to file lawsuits on behalf of the state.

The governor and attorney general are elected separately. Hickenlooper is a Democrat and Coffman a Republican.

Hickenlooper went to the Supreme Court after Coffman joined a lawsuit challenging federal clean air rules. Hickenlooper supports the rules and Coffman says they’re illegal.

Hickenlooper says Coffman has filed other suits with which he doesn’t agree.