Colorado entities have filed seven lawsuits — so far — against President Donald Trump’s executive orders.

Six of the seven cases were filed by Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is running for Colorado governor. 

Defunding medical and public health research

On behalf of Colorado, the Attorney General’s Office joined 21 other states on Feb. 10 to sue the Trump administration following the National Institute of Health’s announcement to cap “indirect cost” rates by around 15%.

The Colorado office argued that Trump’s orders “unlawfully” cut funds that support public health research at universities and research institutions. In court, the states said the order violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which was put in place to protect research projects.

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In announcing the cuts, NIH said it needs to “carefully steward grant awards,” noting that of the $35 billion it spent in fiscal year 2023, about $26 billion went to “direct costs” for research, while $9 billion was allocated to “overhead” expenses through the indirect cost rate. The agency said the average indirect cost rate has averaged between 27% and 28% over time, with many organizations charging rates of more than 50%.

Update: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to block the funding cuts from taking effect, as the court battle continues.

Federal worker buyout

Colorado joined 21 other states in challenging Trump’s federal buyout plan, otherwise known as the “Fork in the Road” directive, which offered federal employees financial incentives to accept a buyout or face possible termination.

In joining the legal challenge, Colorado noted that it is home to about 40,000 federal employees.

Update: As of last week, the Trump administration moved forward with the deferred resignation program after Judge George A. O’Toole, a U.S. District Court Judge in Massachusetts, denied requests to halt the plan.

DOGE access to payment systems

Colorado joined 18 other states in questioning the legality of the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to the U.S. Treasury’s central payment system.

According to the lawsuit, Elon Musk, who heads DOGE, lacks the proper security clearance to access Treasury data.

Update: On Feb. 8, a federal judge blocked DOGE and Musk from accessing sensitive Treasury records, while the legal battle plays out in New York.

Federal Funding freeze

Colorado joined dozens of states in seeking a preliminary injunction to block Trump’s efforts to pause $3 trillion in federal assistance.

Colorado and the states argued that the money is critical to the state, universities, research institutions, and hospitals. Trump argued that the funding freeze gives the new administration reviews whether programs align with its priorities and are not ripe with fraud and abuse. The administration hopes to use that funding leverage to stamp out “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs.  

While an initial court order blocked Trump’s executive order, the states said payments were still being withheld.

For Colorado, the withholdings were estimated at more than $570 million at one point.

Birthright citizenship

The lawsuit claims that Trump’s executive order to halt “birthright citizenship” violates the 14th Amendment.

Update: A Boston judge heard arguments in the case on Feb. 7 but did not immediately rule on the issue. Three other federal judges have issued rulings to block the executive order.

Firearm safety measures

Colorado joined about a dozen other states to intervene in a lawsuit to defend policies by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives restricting firearms.

The ATF decided to prohibit forced reset triggers, which backers say allows owners to convert guns into fully automatic weapons illegally.

The second part of the legal challenge is to defend ATF’s “engaged in business” rule, which, according to the states, implements the Safer Communities Act’s expansion of gun dealers who conduct criminal background checks on their purchasers and keep records of their sales to help law enforcement solve crimes.

DACA access for DACA recipients

Colorado and several other states filed motions to intervene in a lawsuit seeking to defend access to Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients. The preemptive effort was designed to stop the new administration’s attempts to repeal rules created during the Joe Biden administration.

In addition to the Colorado lawsuits, Denver Public Schools announced it is suing the Department of Homeland Security to keep ICE officers off district campuses.

The school district filed the lawsuit just days after federal immigration agents raided several apartment complexes in Aurora.

In a separate lawsuit, Douglas County is suing the state of Colorado over its “sanctuary” laws that restrict local law enforcement from working with federal authorities on illegal immigration. A district court judge ruled against Douglas County, which vowed to appeal the decision.