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Gay marriage battlegrounds: 7 states to watch

In the states, the battle over gay marriage is gathering steam. Federal judges have preempted local efforts toward legal gay marriage in some states, while activists in other states are gearing up for ballot measures. One state may be moving toward a stronger defense of traditional marriage. Here's the state-by-state rundown.

4. Colorado

Brennan Linsley/AP/File
In this March 21, 2013, photo, state Rep. Joann Ginal, left, hugs state Rep. Mark Ferrandino, as others applaud after Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, seated center, signed the Civil Unions Act into law at the Colorado History Museum in Denver.

(Updated April 29, 2014) Gay rights advocates are eager to overturn the state’s 2006 constitutional ban on gay marriage, but the speaker of the state House, who is openly gay, suggests an effort that doesn’t try to move too fast. The state, after all, just began recognizing same-sex civil unions in May.  

Speaker Mark Ferrandino says he expects voters to overturn the ban via referendum by the end of the decade, unless a lawsuit achieves the same result first.

A Quinnipiac poll in April 2014 found 61 percent of registered Colorado voters support gay marriage.

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