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DENVER — A federal judge is expected to rule as soon as Wednesday on a lawsuit asking for Colorado’s ban on same-sex marriage to be overturned in an effort to protect equal rights.

During a nearly two-hour long hearing Tuesday, supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage presented their arguments over the legality of the 2006 constitutional ban on gay marriage.

Supporters of same-sex marriage believe the law should be deemed unconstitutional on the basis it violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection rights guaranteed under the 14th amendment.

However, representatives for Colorado’s Attorney General want this case to be held until higher courts, up to and including the United States Supreme Court, have a chance to rule on same-sex marriage overall.

Most legal experts believe the legality of same-sex marriage will eventually end up before the nation’s highest court but it’s not clear when such a case would be heard. Same-sex rights supporters believe delaying any decision about overturning Colorado’s ban until another court decides hurts gay couples in the short term.

A decision could come as early as Wednesday afternoon.