USCCB files brief in support of Catholic preschools in clash with Colorado over ‘universal’ program

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to support Catholic preschools challenging Colorado's universal preschool program. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case, St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, on Nov. 3.

The legal challenge began in April after two parishes in the Archdiocese of Denver, St. Mary in Littleton and St. Bernadette in Lakewood, alleged the state excluded them from the program because of their religious beliefs. The Colorado program provides up to approximately $6,000 to parents to fund preschool education at public or private schools.

Colorado officials argue that the Catholic preschools violate a program rule that prohibits schools from refusing admission based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of a child or their family. In its brief published Sept. 23, the USCCB argued that the government cannot deny religious entities the right to participate in such programs.