Colorado exempts Christian camp from gender identity regulations

In a significant development, a Christian camp located in Bailey, Colorado, has reached a settlement with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood regarding rules on gender identity. The camp, Camp IdRaHaJe, filed a federal lawsuit in May challenging the state's requirement for children's camps to accommodate gender identities in facilities such as showers and sleeping quarters. Camp IdRaHaJe argued that this requirement infringed upon its religious beliefs and long-established practices. The camp sought relief from the pressures of state regulations that conflicted with its convictions about biological sex and religious teachings. The lawsuit highlighted tensions between state anti-discrimination policies and the rights of religious organizations to uphold their beliefs without fear of legal repercussions. As part of the settlement, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood clarified that religious organizations, including children’s camps, are not considered “places of public accommodation” under the law, thus granting them exemptions from the gender identity rules imposed by the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. The department emphasized that it had never taken action against Camp IdRaHaJe based on these regulations, reinforcing that the camp could operate freely without the burden of compliance with gender identity policies. This decision marks a notable victory for the camp and similar religious organizations across Colorado, allowing them to maintain their operational standards aligned with their faith. It also underscores the complexities surrounding issues of gender identity accommodations in state licensing, particularly for faith-based organizations. The updated regulations were a direct response to the legal complaint filed by Camp IdRaHaJe, demonstrating how litigation can invoke substantive changes in public policy. Following the settlement, state officials expressed their commitment to uphold the rights of religious groups within the existing legal framework while balancing the rights of all individuals. The outcome is being viewed as a pivotal moment for religious camps in Colorado, providing reassurance that they can continue their missions without compromising their beliefs.