Supreme Court weighs Catholic preschools’ challenge to Colorado law

The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case challenging a Colorado law that bars anti-LGBT discrimination at publicly funded preschools. The Archdiocese of Denver and other Catholic entities are seeking an exemption from the state's nondiscrimination requirements, arguing that the mandate burdens their religious exercise.

The Trump administration is backing the Catholic groups, while Colorado officials argue the preschools are seeking permission to discriminate against young children and their families while receiving taxpayer dollars. The archdiocese oversees 34 Catholic preschools that currently admit only students from families who support Catholic beliefs regarding same-sex relationships and gender identity.

Justices from both the conservative and liberal wings of the court expressed skepticism toward the petitioners' arguments. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that prior cases involved laws that expressly discriminated against religious schools on their face, a distinction he said does not apply here. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson questioned whether the Catholic groups were asking for a special rule that would allow them to bypass conditions attached to public funds.

Read the full story at Central Oregon Daily.