Federal judge considers Colorado gay marriage case

A federal judge says he will decide by July 25 whether to order Colorado to immediately allow gay couples to marry.

U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore is presiding over a lawsuit against the state's gay marriage ban. There is no dispute that he will find that the ban is unconstitutional. The only disagreement is whether he should stay his ruling or let it take effect immediately.

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers' office is urging a stay until the U.S. Supreme Court settles the issue. The plaintiffs' lawyers want no stay. On Tuesday, Moore said he'd decide by next Friday.

Meanwhile, Suthers is also asking the state Supreme Court to stop county clerks from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples as long as the state ban remains in effect.