After hosting town halls across the state, AG Phil Weiser said the merger would result in “higher prices, worse customer service”

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit Wednesday to block a merger between the parent companies of Safeway and King Soopers.

In the lawsuit, Weiser said the merger would eliminate competition between the grocery store chains and hurt Colorado shoppers. It also violates the state’s antitrust laws and Weiser asked for a preliminary injunction, which would be decided by a district court judge.

“The fact that Kroger, after this merger, could be 50% of the supermarket market share in Colorado is a very clear flashing red light,” Weiser said during a news conference Wednesday. “And the fact that the last merger between Safeway and Albertsons had real harms to communities, to workers, to consumers and to producers, also speaks volumes.”