SW News: Two Catholic preschools sued the US state of Colorado for disallowing them from taking part in the state's universal preschool program. St. Mary's and St. Bernadette's are requesting a federal court to allow preschools to take part in the funding program in the same manner as any other private secular school.

Catholic parishes in Colorado, St. Mary's and St. Bernadette's run outstanding preschool programs for the benefit of families in the Denver area. These parish preschools in the Archdiocese of Denver have consistently helped parents raise their children in a religious and academic manner for many years. They provide services to a lot of low-income families.

In the Archdiocese, 20% of families with children enrolled in preschools are eligible for free or reduced-cost school meals. This percentage is 85% at St. Bernadette's. Over 25% of families at St. Mary's also get grants or reductions for their child's preschool education.

Colorado established its universal preschool program in 2022 to give every kid access to a free, high-quality preschool education the year before they register for kindergarten.

St. Mary's and St. Bernadette's were delighted to start aiding parents in giving their children an education that upheld their values after Colorado established the program. However, religiously affiliated preschools like St. Mary's and St. Bernadette's are unable to take part since they give priority to enrolling Catholic families and have religious requirements for the staff members who run their ministries. Due to this prohibition, parents must decide between paying for a faith-based preschool out of pocket and receiving a free preschool education at any other private school in Colorado.

Nick Reaves, counsel at legal firm Becket, said Colorado is slamming the door on hundreds of parents that need help sending their kids to preschool, all because the schools that are best for their kids reflect their beliefs.