Christian Camp Wins Religious Exemption in Colorado Gender Identity Dispute

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – A Christian summer camp nestled in the Rocky Mountains will continue to operate in accordance with its religious convictions after reaching an agreement with Colorado officials over the state’s anti-discrimination rules.

Camp IdRaHaJe — short for “I’d Rather Have Jesus” — has dropped its federal lawsuit against the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) following a resolution affirming the camp’s exemption from new state rules requiring accommodations based on gender identity. The lawsuit had challenged the department’s February mandate that residential camps allow children to use restrooms, showers, and sleeping facilities according to gender identity, not biological sex.

The agreement clarified that Camp IdRaHaJe qualifies for a religious exemption under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. The CDEC also committed to publishing a memo stating that “places principally used for religious purposes,” including churches, mosques, and synagogues, are not considered “places of public accommodation” and therefore not subject to the gender identity rules.

“We are glad to support Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je’s understanding of their ability to provide a Christian camp experience to kids,” said Lisa Roy, executive director of CDEC. She emphasized that the department had not taken enforcement action against the camp nor threatened its closure.

Founded in 1948, Camp IdRaHaJe has hosted generations of youth aged 6 to 17 for faith-based summer adventures that include hiking, swimming, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. The camp opened for the 2025 season on June 8, shortly after the lawsuit was filed.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which represented the camp, hailed the outcome as a victory for religious liberty.

“Government officials should never put a dangerous ideology ahead of kids,” said Andrea Dill, legal counsel for ADF. “This agreement allows Camp IdRaHaJe to operate as it has for more than 75 years — as a Christian summer camp that accepts all campers without fear of being punished for its beliefs.”

According to the agreement filed Wednesday, the camp can continue to house campers by biological sex, aligning with its religious teachings on sexuality and gender — a practice the state now acknowledges falls outside the scope of its regulations.

The resolution marks a significant development in the national debate over the boundaries of anti-discrimination laws and religious freedom in youth programming.

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