U.S. judge knocks down Colorado's gay marriage ban, stays ruling

DENVER (Reuters) - A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Colorado's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, but temporarily stayed his ruling until the issue is decided by a higher court. U.S. District Judge Raymond Moore found in favor of a lawsuit challenging the state's 2006 constitutional amendment that defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Moore's ruling is the latest in a series of decisions by state and federal judges who have knocked down state bans on gay marriage, but then put their rulings on hold pending appeal. (Reporting by Daniel Wallis; Editing by Sandra Maler)