Supreme Court Weighs Colorado Preschool Admission Rule
Justices heard arguments in a case over whether Colorado can exclude Catholic preschools from its universal preschool program over admission standards.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Catholicism
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The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy after Colorado barred Catholic preschools from its universal preschool program. The state requires participating schools to admit any child, which the Catholic schools refuse to do, arguing the rule violates their First Amendment rights.
Why it matters
The case tests how far states can condition public program participation on nondiscrimination rules when religious institutions object on constitutional grounds. For Colorado families, the outcome could determine which preschool options are available through the state's universal program.
The dispute centers on Colorado's requirement that participating preschools admit any child, a standard the Catholic schools say conflicts with their beliefs. No enrollment or funding figures for the affected schools were provided in the source.
The players
Supreme Court of the United States
The nation's highest court, which heard oral arguments in the case and will issue the binding ruling on the First Amendment questions raised.
State of Colorado
The state whose universal preschool program excluded Catholic schools over its all-admission standard, and which is defending that requirement in the case.
The details
Colorado excluded the Catholic preschools from its universal preschool program because they will not comply with the all-admission requirement. The Catholic schools argue that admitting families who do not share Catholic beliefs would compromise their faith, while Colorado contends participating schools must admit all children to meet program standards.
Timeline
Oral arguments in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy were heard before the U.S. Supreme Court; the exact date was not specified in the source.
Religious Liberty Context
The case sits within a line of Supreme Court disputes over whether religious organizations can be excluded from government programs when they decline to follow generally applicable nondiscrimination rules. Colorado's all-admission standard is the specific rule now before the Court.
Families in Colorado who rely on the state's universal preschool program could see their available options change depending on the outcome. The ruling would determine whether Catholic preschools can participate without meeting the all-admission requirement.
The takeaway
The outcome will clarify whether states can require religious providers to meet admission standards to receive public program funds. Parents comparing preschool options should watch for how the ruling affects program eligibility in Colorado.
Further reading
For related coverage of faith communities and church institutions, see Catholicism.
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Should religious preschools be allowed to join state programs without admitting all children?
