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AG Asks State Supreme Court To Dismiss Governor's Complaint

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman is asking the state Supreme Court to dismiss Gov. John Hickenlooper's complaint about lawsuits she filed against the federal government over his objections.

In a motion filed Friday, Coffman says the AG has the authority and duty to protect the legal interests of Colorado and its residents.

Hickenlooper asked the court Nov. 4 to issue a rule saying Coffman cannot sue the U.S. government without his permission. Coffman has said she has the right to file lawsuits on behalf of the state.

The governor and attorney general are elected separately. Hickenlooper is a Democrat and Coffman a Republican.

Hickenlooper went to the Supreme Court after Coffman joined a lawsuit challenging federal clean air rules. Hickenlooper supports the rules and Coffman says they're illegal.

Hickenlooper says Coffman has filed other lawsuits he doesn't agree with.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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