US Supreme Court Justices Signal Support for Catholic Preschools Barred from Colorado Program
Justices questioned state mandates on gender identity and sexual orientation that excluded 34 Denver Archdiocese preschools from state funding.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in *St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy*, a dispute challenging Colorado preschool regulations. The state excluded 34 Denver Archdiocese preschools for maintaining guidelines on marriage and sexual identity.
During more than two hours of argument, the conservative majority questioned the state's refusal to grant a religious exemption. Colorado's universal preschool program provides over $6,000 per child each year to roughly 2,000 public, private, and faith-based providers.
To join the program, Colorado requires providers to sign an equal opportunity agreement covering sexual orientation and gender identity. Catholic preschools require enrolling families to support Church teachings on marriage and biological sex, leading the state to deny Catholic families access to the funds.
State mandate excludes 34 Catholic schools
The Archdiocese of Denver, two parishes, and parents Daniel and Lisa Sheley sued state officials after their accommodation request was denied. The parents reported losing more than $12,000 for seeking education aligned with their faith for their children.
Attorney Nicholas Reaves of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty argued for the parishes. He noted that accommodating Catholic preschools would not restrict options for other families, pointing out that in the archdiocese.
