Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter

An $18 million lawsuit has been filed against Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and two abortion companies by a taxpayer who alleges state payments to the companies violate a Colorado constitutional ban on taxpayer funds being used “directly or indirectly” for abortions.

The Denver District Court lawsuit was filed today by Alliance Defense Fund-affiliated attorney Barry Arrington on behalf of taxpayer Mark Hotaling, who leads the Christian Family Alliance.

The action also names as defendant James B. Martin, the executive director of the state Department of Public Health and Environment, and the two abortion companies are Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center…