Judge’s ruling may not affect Andrew Wommack Ministries’ plans

TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A judge will soon make a decision on a legal battle between state health leaders and Andrew Wommack Ministries, but even if the judge issues a ruling that forces AWMI to comply with state health orders, it's not clear if Wommack's plans will change.

At the heart of the issue is this: Andrew Wommack Ministries has been hosting Bible conferences at its Teller County campus, and evidence has shown numerous people at those conferences not wearing masks or social distancing -- now the state is trying to force the organization to comply with public health orders before two more Bible conferences set to take place before the end of the year.

In the next few days, the judge could rule on a preliminary injunction that would force compliance from AWMI, although it wouldn't prevent the organization from hosting the events altogether.

But as AWMI prepares for another in-person religious conference, attorneys for the ministry wouldn't commit to abiding by COVID-19 capacity limits or requiring guests to wear masks even if a judge rules against them.

After Teller County issued a notice earlier this week that its public health department is tracking outbreaks connected to AWMI events, attorneys for the religious group took aim at how health officials made the determination that dozens of COVID-19 cases were linked to a July event.

"What they say is an outbreak might be nothing more than a couple of people who they found out tested positive for COVID-19 at some point but also had been to an AWMI conference recently," AWMI's attorneys told KRDO.

The Colorado Attorney General's Office and Teller County Attorney both say that AWMI has a disregard for public health and for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The ministry denies that assertion, saying it has many COVID-19 safety guidelines in place for its conferences.

But while both sides are pointing the finger at each other, it's likely the event will continue as planned while the battle lingers in court.

"[Teller] County is very disappointed that this situation is now in court," said county administrator Sheryl Decker in a statement to KRDO on Wednesday. "We always prefer to work with our community organizations to come to a workable solution. The vast majority of businesses, organizations and people in Teller County understand that we are in this together and we all have to do our share to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we thank them for their support and sacrifices.”

For its part, Teller County officials say they will comply with the judge's decision when it comes down.