Denver Post: Hard to believe, Utah got there first

A federal judge's decision to overturn Utah's voter-approved constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman sets the template for what could happen in Colorado.

We hope it doesn't have to go this way.

Make no mistake, we would like to see Colorado's Amendment 43 overturned.

But we'd prefer it were done by voters, and that some group puts the matter on the ballot sometime in the near future. Voter-approved gay marriage would very likely be less controversial — and far less resented — than court-ordered gay marriage.

In March, Colorado lawmakers approved the Colorado Civil Union Act, which provides committed couples with critical legal protections and responsibilities.

Now it's time for voters to approve the right for gay people to marry.

It's hard to believe Utah got there first.