Andrew Wommack Ministries drops lawsuit against state
WOODLAND PARK, Colo. (KRDO) -- Andrew Wommack Ministries in Teller County is no longer suing Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, capping a surprise end to a brief but contentious legal battle over large gatherings at the Charis Bible College.
AWM filed the lawsuit in late September alleging that the state and Teller County public health departments were discriminating against the ministry. Back in the summer, the health department had sent a cease and desist letter to Andrew Wommack Ministries after its summer bible conference was held in Woodland Park that led to a COVID-19 outbreak. AWM alleged discrimination on the basis that no cease and desist order was issued to large groups of protesters in the Denver metroplex.
Restrictions have been in place for months that limit capacities at indoor and outdoor events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A legal back and forth ensued over the past week while Andrew Wommack Ministries held another conference that saw hundreds of people in attendance. AWM said multiple safety precautions were put in place, including mandatory masks for staff and volunteers, in addition to social distancing. However, a video from inside the conference that was posted publicly to social media shows dozens of people without masks on.
Teller County Public Health Director Jacqueline Revello and Colorado Public Health Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan had filed a motion for an injunction to stop Andrew Wommack Ministries from hosting large gatherings at the campus and also requested AWM to explain why the organization shouldn't be held in contempt for disobeying the public health order. Lawyers on behalf of Andrew Wommack Ministries filed a response on Wednesday, and a motions hearing was scheduled for Thursday morning.
But during Thursday morning's hearing, Andrew Wommack Ministries filed a motion to dismiss the case without prejudice, which was granted. It's not yet clear why AWM moved to dismiss the case, but Thursday is scheduled to be the last day of the conference.
We've reached out to lawyers for AWM in addition to representatives with Teller County. We'll update this article when more information is available.
