Marriage ban
proponents submit signatures in Colorado

Opponents of same-sex marriage in Colorado planned to turn in more than 133,000 petition signatures on Monday in hopes of putting a measure on the November ballot to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. State law already contains that definition, but the proposal by Coloradans for Marriage would add it to the state constitution, where it would be tougher to change.

Monday was the deadline for proponents to submit voter signatures to the secretary of state to get measures before the voters in November. Each group needs about 68,000 verified signatures of registered Colorado voters to win a slot on the ballot. At least 18 measures could go before voters, including four on same-sex marriage.

Seven measures were placed on the ballot by lawmakers. Two would establish legal domestic partnerships, giving gay couples some of the legal rights and benefits that married couples have. One was placed on the ballot by the legislature; another is proposed by Coloradans for Fairness, which planned to turn in its petition signatures Monday. Another would amend the state constitution to prohibit state and local governments from creating or recognizing a legal status similar to marriage. (AP)