SCOTUS To Rule On Colorado’s Exclusion Of Christian Preschools
The Supreme Court will hear arguments next week on whether Colorado can bar Catholic preschools from its universal program, marking the state's fourth First Amendment loss in a decade.
Trending Newsfeed Staff Writer · Oct 30, 2026 · 3 min read
The Supreme Court will hear a major case next week to decide if Colorado can exclude Christian preschools from its state-funded program. This dispute centers on St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, where the state barred Catholic schools from receiving money for their universal preschool efforts. The justices will hear arguments on Tuesday regarding the state’s requirement that schools accept all families regardless of their beliefs. According to the Washington Examiner, over the past ten years, the Supreme Court has decided three First Amendment disputes against Colorado. This new case could become the fourth major loss for the state if the justices side with the Catholic plaintiffs.
Following the 2020 voter approval of a measure establishing a state-funded preschool program, this legal fight started. The legislature passed a law requiring participating schools to sign an agreement promising equal enrollment opportunities. This mandate includes a pledge to accept students without regard to religious affiliation or sexual orientation. A group of parents and Catholic parishes filed a lawsuit claiming the rule violates their First Amendment rights. They argue that the mandate forces them to act against their sincerely held religious beliefs. In June 2024, a federal district court dismissed the claims made by Catholic challengers, ruling in their disfavour. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals also sided with Colorado in a September 2025 decision.
What the Lawyers Are Saying
Legal experts representing the Catholic schools argue that the state is trying to bypass Supreme Court protections. Amanda Dixon, who serves as counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, informed The Federalist that this situation exposes governmental efforts to sidestep settled rights. Dixon noted that while the court has said governments need a good reason to burden religion, Colorado keeps trying to outmaneuver those rules. She told the Washington Examiner that the state seems to ignore previous rulings against it.