Supreme Court to Hear Colorado Preschool Rights Case

The Supreme Court is weighing whether Catholic preschools participating in Colorado’s publicly funded preschool program can refuse to enroll children from families whose views or relationships conflict with Catholic teaching. The Archdiocese of Denver and other plaintiffs argue that the state’s requirement to offer equal enrollment regardless of a child’s or parent’s sexual orientation or gender identity violates their First Amendment right to religious exercise; Colorado says participating schools must follow a neutral nondiscrimination rule while receiving public funds. Lower courts upheld the state’s requirement, and the Supreme Court’s decision to review the case has drawn attention amid its recent support for religious-liberty claims. Justice Samuel Alito has argued in earlier cases that requiring religious organizations to comply with such policies can amount to pressure to accept beliefs they reject, while critics emphasize protections for LGBTQ families seeking equal access.