BUENA VISTA, Colo. — A federal judge has blocked the state from "expelling, punishing, withholding funds from, or otherwise disciplining" a Christian preschool in Chaffee County, even though its policies appear to violate the non-discrimination requirements of Colorado's universal pre-K program.
U.S. District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico last week granted Darren Patterson Christian Academy a preliminary injunction based on a fear of consequences, rather than any current threat. The school is actively participating in the pre-K program, the state has given it more than $30,000 and there have been no complaints that Darren Patterson Christian Academy is discriminating against staff or students.
Nonetheless, Domenico slammed the state for failing to say outright whether the school's policies on hiring, bathroom usage and personal pronouns were violations of the pre-K program's non-discrimination rules. He also observed Gov. Jared Polis had made comments outside of court suggesting the state would move to ensure preschool providers do not discriminate.
"The ultimate question here is whether Plaintiff faces a credible threat of enforcement," Domenico wrote in an Oct. 20 order, finding the answer was "yes."
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