The Colorado Catholic Conference, representing the state’s bishops, is urging voters to oppose a newly introduced education bill, warning the measure would undermine free speech and religious freedom in public schools.
HB 26-1141, introduced Feb. 4 by Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Bacon, would define “acts of discrimination based on disability, race, creed, sex, gender identity, and gender expression” in grades K-12 as unlawful. It would also establish “grievance procedures” to target students and employees accused of discriminatory acts.
The legislation would authorize the Colorado Civil Rights Commission to file charges against schools or individuals found in violation of the law. The commission previously gained national attention after it filed suit against Jack Phillips, a Christian baker in Colorado who refused to create a custom cake celebrating a same-sex wedding, citing his religious beliefs. The dispute ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in Phillips’ favor in 2018.
In its analysis, the Catholic conference described the education bill as amounting to a “massive violation” of First Amendment rights, arguing it would effectively penalize speech that conflicts with state-sanctioned views on sexuality and marriage. The group warned that the proposal could restrict student organizations from hosting speakers or events that affirm marriage as between a man and a woman or assert that there are only two sexes, male and female.
“Freedom of speech and expression are God-given rights protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution,” the bishops wrote, “and HB26-1141 is woefully in violation of both.”
The bill was assigned to the House Education Committee and is scheduled for a committee hearing Feb. 26.