Supreme Court Weighs Colorado Rules Barring Religious Preschools From Pre-K Funds

The Supreme Court is considering whether Colorado may exclude Catholic preschools from its publicly funded universal pre-K program unless they comply with the state’s nondiscrimination rules, including protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. The Catholic Archdiocese of Denver argues those conditions conflict with its religious teachings and admissions practices and violate its First Amendment rights; Colorado says participating providers must meet the same standards. The case concerns a program offering eligible 4-year-olds up to 15 hours of preschool weekly and could shape how states apply conditions to public aid received by religious schools. A Colorado mother says her family lost about $12,000 in preschool benefits because her children attend a Catholic school, while supporters of the challenge say the funding rules are also harming Catholic preschool enrollment.