Supreme Court to Hear Colorado Case on Religious Schools and Preschool Funding

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday it will take up a closely watched case involving religious liberty and government funding, agreeing to hear a dispute over Colorado’s universal preschool program and its exclusion of a Catholic school.

At the center of the case is a challenge brought by the Archdiocese of Denver, which argues that the state’s requirements unfairly penalize faith-based institutions. Colorado’s preschool law mandates that participating schools accept students without regard to religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. However, Catholic schools maintain enrollment policies aligned with church teachings on these issues.

Church leaders contend the policy effectively sidelines religious schools. In their petition, they argued the state is “reducing access” by steering families toward institutions that align with government views, while excluding those with biblical convictions.

State officials, however, say the law is neutral and applies equally to all schools. Colorado maintains it is not targeting religion but enforcing broad nondiscrimination standards across the program.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit previously upheld the state’s position, ruling that the policy does not single out religious institutions and instead applies uniformly to all participants.

The high court’s decision to hear the case signals continued scrutiny of the balance between religious freedom and public policy. In recent years, the justices have expanded protections for faith-based organizations seeking access to public funding.

The case, St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, is expected to be argued in the Court’s next term, beginning this fall. While the justices are not expected to revisit the landmark Employment Division v. Smith ruling directly, they will examine how courts determine whether laws are truly neutral—or if they cross the line into discrimination against religious belief.

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