Category: Constitution
By The Republic Standard News Staff
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a challenge by St. Mary Catholic Parish to Colorado’s anti-discrimination law and its application to the state’s universal preschool program.
The dispute concerns public funding available to preschools chosen by parents under Colorado’s universal preschool program, which followed a 2020 ballot measure.
St. Mary Catholic Parish says its preschool was excluded because its admissions policy does not accept children from LGBTQ+ families. Colorado officials maintain that the preschool can take part in the taxpayer-funded program if it complies with the state’s nondiscrimination requirements.
The plaintiffs include St. Mary Catholic Parish, the Archdiocese of Denver and other Catholic organizations.
Colorado officials have accused the plaintiffs of “trying to get legal permission to discriminate against 4-year-olds and their families.”
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood declined to comment because the case remains pending. Arguments before the justices are set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Tags: Supreme Court, Religious Liberty, St. Mary Catholic Parish, Archdiocese of Denver