Federal judge finds Colorado Christian school can receive state funding

U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico on Monday ruled that the state cannot bar Darren Patterson Christian Academy from participating in Colorado’s universal preschool program. The academy runs Busy Bees Preschool in Buena Vista and only hires Christians. Alliance Defending Freedom in June 2023 filed a lawsuit against the state after officials declined the school’s application for a religious exemption and said its hiring practices violated the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

In his ruling, Domenico said the school should be allowed to receive public funding while maintaining its religious beliefs. He found that the Colorado Department of Early Childhood does grant exemptions to ensure communities have access to different types of schools. In June, another federal judge ruled Catholic preschools can take religion into account when enrolling students.

What does the state’s preschool program provide? Colorado funds up to 15 hours per week of preschool for every 4-year-old child in the state. The state legislature adopted the policy in 2022 and families may qualify for more hours if they are experiencing poverty, a child requires special education, or the child is in state custody. Nearly 40,000 children are currently enrolled in the program.

Dig deeper: Read Bekah McCallum’s report in WORLD Magazine about how some states are still discriminating against religious preschools.