Group Appeals Loss in Effort to Remove Trump from Colorado Ballot

A group of Colorado voters who sued to remove former President Donald Trump from the state's ballot in the 2024 presidential election has appealed their loss in a lower court to the Colorado Supreme Court.

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Colorado District Judge Sarah B. Wallace and former President Donald Trump (AP Images)

The group, which includes Republicans and independents, contends that Trump is ineligible to run for president under the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban." The 14th Amendment bars from office anyone who has engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.

The group argues that Trump's actions on January 6, 2021, when he incited a mob of his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election, meet the definition of insurrection.

However, a Denver district court judge ruled in October that the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban" does not apply to presidential candidates. The judge reasoned that the ban only applies to those who have held office and then engaged in insurrection or rebellion.

The group of voters is now appealing that decision to the Colorado Supreme Court. They argue that the district court judge's ruling is "an error of law" and that the 14th Amendment's "insurrectionist ban" does apply to presidential candidates.

The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications for the 2024 presidential election. If the Colorado Supreme Court rules that Trump is ineligible to run for president, it could throw the Republican primary into chaos and potentially derail Trump's bid for the White House.

However, it is also possible that the Colorado Supreme Court will uphold the district court judge's ruling, allowing Trump to remain on the ballot. In that case, Trump would still face a number of legal challenges in other states, as well as a potentially difficult battle in the general election.

The appeal of the district court judge's ruling is just one of a number of legal challenges that Trump is facing. He is also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for his role in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

It remains to be seen whether Trump will be able to overcome these legal challenges and clear his path to the presidency in 2024. However, the outcome of the appeal in Colorado is likely to be a major indicator of his chances.