⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Tenth Circuit hears a challenge to Colorado's land-use attorney-fee law. Residents and neighborhood groups had sued over local development decisions. Under a Colorado law, a losing challenge to certain housing developments can leave residents paying the local government's legal fees, but winning gives them no matching right to fees. They sued the governor, attorney general and Colorado Springs, saying this one-sided risk discouraged them from going to court. The district judge dismissed the suit without deciding whether the law was constitutional. He found that the state officials did not enforce the provision and that the residents lacked a live dispute with the city. Ex parte Young allows federal suits against state officials to stop ongoing violations of federal law. The official must have a connection to enforcing the challenged law. Their lawyer will seek to revive the challenge; the defendants will defend the dismissal.

Sanctuary Field Neighborhood Network, et al. v. Weiser, et al. (No. 25-1391) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, argued September 17, 2026.