Children’s books, Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire, England, Author Cnbrb (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
The Archdiocese of Denver alleges that Colorado has precluded participation by religious preschools in the state’s Universal Preschool Program unless they abandon Christian teaching on marriage and gender [1].
The case of St. Mary Catholic Parish vs. Roy (Docket No. 25-581) will now be heard by the US Supreme Court [2]. At issue is whether a state can deny access to a universal funding program on the basis of a religious school’s admission standards.
The Colorado program provides the equivalent of $6,000 to parents who send their child to a public or private preschool of their choice.
Faith-based schools are not specifically excluded under the program. However, Colorado maintains that Catholic preschools discriminate by refusing admission to children on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity (or that of their families). The state is, therefore, withholding funds.
The Archdiocese sees this preclusion by the state as a violation of the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.
The Archdiocese oversees 34 preschools, and considers them an extension of the Roman Catholic Church’s ministry, not simply child-care facilities [3][4]. Catholic preschools are willing to admit any child, but treat biological boys as boys and biological girls as girls. They do not support gender transitioning or promote the gay lifestyle.
Catholics are among those funding Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program. Catholic preschools are not seeking special treatment, but rather the same treatment as secular preschools.
Children need and deserve moral guidance, along with instruction in reading and writing. Taxpayer dollars should not be reserved only for those who hold liberal political views or consider the Bible anachronistic.
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[1] American Magazine, “The Supreme Court to hear clash between Catholic preschools, Colorado over ‘universal’ program” by Kate Scanlon, 4/20/26, https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/04/20/supreme-court-catholic-preschools-colorado/.
[2] US Supreme Court, “St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy”, 4/2026, https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/2026/25-581/.
[3] Charisma, “Supreme Court Steps In After Colorado Denies Catholic Pre-K Schools” by American Health, 4/20/26, https://mycharisma.com/news/supreme-court-steps-in-after-colorado-denies-catholic-pre-k-schools/.
[4] Archdiocese of Denver, “Supreme Court to decide whether Colorado can exclude Catholic families from “universal” preschool program”, 4/20/26, https://archden.org/breaking-supreme-court-to-decide-whether-colorado-can-exclude-catholic-families-from-universal-preschool-program/.
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