Donald Trump to remain on Colorado primary ballot after judge dismisses lawsuit

A judge in Colorado has rejected an attempt to bar former President Donald Trump from the 2024 Republican presidential ballot.

It ends a landmark trial over a lawsuit that argued Mr Trump's actions leading up to the 2021 Capitol riot render him ineligible to hold office again.

Similar challenges, based on a US Civil War-era constitutional amendment, have also failed in three other states.

Mr Trump, who did not appear at the hearing, has dismissed the effort.

Colorado District Judge Sarah Wallace issued the ruling on Friday, requiring that the Colorado Secretary of State place Mr Trump on the state's primary ballot next year.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars from office those who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and then "engaged in insurrection" against it.Advocates had argued it should apply to Mr Trump and his involvement in the 2021 riot at the US Capitol.

But Ms Wallace disagreed, arguing in her ruling that the 14th amendment's insurrection ban does not apply to presidents because Section 3 does not explicitly name them.

"After considering the arguments on both sides, the Court is persuaded that 'officers of the United States,' did not include the President of the United States."

"[I]t appears to the court that for whatever reason the drafters of Section Three did not intend to include a person who had only taken the presidential oath," she wrote in her ruling.

The ruling, which is almost certain to be appealed, is the latest setback for efforts to disqualify Mr Trump from the Republican primary election.

Similar lawsuits in New Hampshire, Minnesota and Michigan have already failed.