Boulder Clerk Refuses to Stop Issuing Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples

DENVER - Boulder County's clerk will continue issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite the threat of legal action by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers.

Hillary Hall made the announcement Tuesday after Suthers' office agreed to give her more time to consider asking the state Supreme Court to rule whether she has the authority to issue the licenses.

Colorado's constitution bans same-sex marriage.

Suthers' office gave Hall until next week to consider offer, but told her to stop issuing the licenses immediately or face unspecified legal action.

Hall began issuing licenses last week after a federal appeals court overturned Utah's gay marriage ban. That ruling was put on hold pending a possible appeal.

Meanwhile, six same-sex couples filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday seeking an injunction stopping the enforcement of Colorado's gay-marriage ban.