Supreme Court Hears Catholic Challenge to Colorado Preschool Rules

Politics · First reported 3 Nov, 10:03 · Updated 11:28

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

The Supreme Court is considering whether Catholic preschools may receive Colorado preschool-program funds while declining to enroll families with gay or transgender parents. The dispute concerns religious freedom and the state’s antidiscrimination conditions.

The case asks whether Colorado may condition participation in its taxpayer-funded preschool program on following rules barring discrimination based on a child’s or parent’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Catholic plaintiffs argue that the condition conflicts with their religious rights; Colorado says religious schools can participate if they comply with it.
The plaintiffs lost in lower courts before asking the Supreme Court to hear the case.

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Key facts

Program: Colorado’s taxpayer-funded preschool program, approved by statewide referendum in 2020.
State rule: Participating preschools must not refuse admission based on a child’s or parent’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Plaintiffs: The Archdiocese of Denver, two Catholic parishes and two parishioners.
Lower courts: The plaintiffs lost in lower courts before seeking Supreme Court review.
Tuition assistance: The Sheleys’ lawyers said the family could not use more than $12,000 in assistance after choosing the church’s preschool.