The state's highest court has told a county clerk to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since an appeals court's ruling over the issue was stayed.

Since the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling was stayed pending further appeal, Colorado's Supreme Court said that the gay marriage ban remains in place, The Associated Press reports.

Three clerks in the state have been issuing gay marriage licenses after District Court Judge Andrew Harman sided with Colorado County Clerk Hillary Hall and said that she could continue to do so after state Attorney General John Suthers sued her.

Still, while the Colorado's highest court granted his request, their order only told Denver Clerk & Recorder Debra Johnson and another clerk to stop, leaving the possibility open other county clerks could continue to issue licenses.

With no clear ruling in place, other clerks have asked the state Supreme Court on whether they may be allowed to issue licenses.

Suthers, who continues to defend the 2006 state ban on gay marriage has publicly acknowledged gay marriage will likely be legal in the state eventually, but says it is his duty to continue to defend the law anyway.

The ruling comes only hours after a three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court struck down Oklahoma's gay marriage ban, but did also stay their ruling.