In October, the U.S. Court of Appeals of the 10th Circuit ruled that Colorado may continue to exclude Catholic preschools from the Universal Preschool Program because of their religious beliefs. The Universal Preschool Program gives taxpayer funding to preschool families for up to 15 hours of preschool to attend qualifying preschools.
The Archdiocese of Denver and a coalition of Catholic preschools are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow them to access the Colorado Universal Preschool Program. Catholic preschools in Denver ask teachers and families to sign a pledge promising to uphold their religious mission, including teachings on sexuality and gender identity. The Colorado Preschool Program’s nondiscrimination clause, however, requires schools to uphold provisions on sexual orientation and “gender identity.” Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program enrolls “approximately 70% of all eligible 4-year-olds.”
To read more about the petition to the Supreme Court, click here.