Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Colorado Preschool Religious Exemption Case

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, a case challenging Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program. The dispute centers on whether the state can exclude Catholic parishes from a publicly funded program because they refuse to sign an LGBT nondiscrimination statement. The plaintiffs argue that the mandate conflicts with their religious teachings regarding marriage and sexuality.

Representing the parishes, attorney Nicholas Reaves argued that the state’s requirements burden religious exercise and noted that secular schools have received exemptions from other program rules. He contended that allowing religious schools to participate would increase the number of available preschool seats without harming the program. Conversely, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson questioned whether the plaintiffs were seeking a special exemption for religious institutions, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor raised concerns regarding the potential for discrimination against same-sex couples and the broader implications for other protected classes.