The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that pits Colorado's anti-discrimination rules against religious freedom claims by Catholic preschools. Two Denver-area Catholic parish preschools sued after being excluded from a state-funded universal preschool program that requires participating schools to ensure all families have equal enrollment opportunities.

The preschools argued that admitting children of LGBTQ+ parents would violate their religious convictions. Colorado's universal preschool program, adopted by voters in 2020, provides public funding for families to choose any preschool, public or private. The state refused to grant an exemption to its equal-opportunity requirements, which prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, income level, or disability.

This case represents the latest clash between anti-discrimination principles and religious conscience claims before the current Supreme Court. Conservative religious groups have largely prevailed in recent similar cases, including rulings favoring a Colorado baker who refused to create a wedding cake for a same-sex couple and a Catholic social services agency that declined to work with same-sex foster parents. The justices are expected to hear arguments when the next term begins in October.