More than 200 gay and lesbian couples
have been issued marriage licenses in three Colorado counties.
According to The
Denver Post, Boulder County, the first county to act,
has issued a total of 135 licenses. Denver County has issued 53
licenses to gay couples, while Pueblo County has issued 25.
“Everybody was very happy,” Pueblo
County Clerk Gilbert Ortiz said, “and it's been awesome.”
Fran and Anna Simon, together 11 years,
were among the happy couples to receive a marriage license in Denver.
With son Jeremy, 7, acting as ring
bearer, the women exchanged vows.
“With this ring I promise to continue
to love and honor and respect you and to be your wife for the rest of
our days,” Anna promised.
“With this ring I marry you and love
you for the rest of my life,” Fran said before the women shared a
kiss.
Ortiz and Denver County Clerk Debra Johnson
acted after a Colorado judge ruled that Boulder County Clerk Hillary
Hall can continue issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, though
District Court Judge Andrew Harman said the validity of the licenses
remains in question.
(Related: Colorado
judge allows Boulder clerk to keep issuing marriage licenses to gay
couples.)
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers,
a Republican, said he would appeal Harman's ruling to the Colorado
Supreme Court.