Colorado Department for Early Childhood Ordered to Pay $1 for Discriminating Against Catholic Preschools

A federal judge has fined the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) $1 for discriminating against Catholic preschools by preventing them from participating in the state’s universal preschool program. Senior U.S. District Judge John Kane ruled on Tuesday that the department violated the constitution by excluding Catholic preschools from the program on the basis of “religious affiliation.” “The department has allowed faith-based providers to deny children and families equal opportunity based on their religious affiliation, or lack thereof, and has cited no compelling interest for permitting that discrimination while denying Plaintiffs’ request for a related exemption,” Judge Kane stated in a 101-page ruling....