Colorado Mother Alleges Discrimination in Preschool Benefits

A mother of three in Colorado claims her family was denied $12,000 in state-funded preschool benefits due to choosing Catholic education for her children. Erika Nagle, whose children attend St. Mary Catholic School in Littleton, says this amounts to discrimination against religious families.

Nagle explained her financial strain after her two children were excluded from the preschool funding program. ‘We are being excluded because we are Catholic,’ Nagle told Fox News Digital. She argued that a state advocating for inclusion is excluding families based on religious beliefs.

Colorado’s preschool program offers over $6,000 per eligible child for 15 hours of weekly preschool education. Catholic schools challenge the program’s requirements, claiming they restrict their religious admissions practices.

Launched in 2023, the program aims to provide universal access to public, private, and religious preschools. Many Catholic families express concerns over the policy’s impact. Nagle highlighted how it’s affecting Catholic school enrollment, leading to closed preschools in the archdiocese.

‘The state incentivizes leaving faith-based education,’ Nagle said. She pointed out how admission criteria in schools vary, yet Catholic schools face different treatment. Nagle questioned this inconsistency, emphasizing St. Mary’s inclusive approach while prioritizing Catholic families.

The legal debate questions religious schools’ participation in public funding while keeping faith-based admissions. Nagle argues Catholic families are unfairly paying more for their chosen schools.

The Supreme Court is set to hear the case, raising issues on religious choice in education funding. A Colorado Department of Early Childhood spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter.

Fox News Digital contacted Governor Jared Polis’ office for a response, which was not immediately available.