Gay Marriage States Map: Places in the U.S. where same-sex marriage is legal and recognized has just expanded again, thanks to a Colorado judge who struck down the same-sex marriage ban Wednesday. The ruling, however, was immediately put on hold to allow for appeals.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Judge Scott Crabtree of Adams County ruled the ban “‘violates the plaintiffs’ due process and equal protection guarantees under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. constitution.”

Crabtree placed the ruling on hold, recognizing that, “The final chapter of this debate will undoubtedly have to be written in either Denver or Washington, D.C.”

Court documents show that same-sex couple Rebecca Brinkman and Margaret Burd filed the lawsuit last year after they were denied a marriage license because they are both women.

The state is now the latest addition to the list of places where the same-sex marriage ban has been tossed out.

Although the Centennial State allow same-sex civil unions, the judge who struck the ban says its not the same as allowing marriage, Chicago Tribune reports.

“The court finds that confining same-sex couples to civil unions is further evidence of discrimination against same-sex couples and does not ameliorate the discriminatory effect of the marriage bans,” Crabtree said in the ruling.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper says that, “The decision on marriage by Judge Crabtree puts Colorado on the right side of history.”

The Washington Post notes that there is no guarantee the nation’s highest courts will take the case when it returns in October. However, this recent event in Colorado add to the pressure for a definitive ruling on gay marriage in the U.S.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia, but uncertain in pretty much the rest of the nation. However, it seems like every week a gay marriage ban is struck down.