Latest news with #CampIdRaHaJe
Fox News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Colorado pledges not to enforce gender identity rules for Christian children's camp after lawsuit
Print Close By Kristine Parks Published June 25, 2025 FIRST ON FOX—Colorado has formally agreed to exclude religious children's camps from the state's transgender accomodation licensing requirements after a Christian camp filed a federal lawsuit. In a new settlement agreement shared first with Fox News Digital, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood said it would not force Camp IdRaHaJe or other faith-based children's resident camps to adopt new gender identity rules in order to maintain a state license. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) amended its state licensing rules in February to incorporate the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). Under the new rules, children's resident camps in the state that are considered "places of public accommodation" must allow campers access to showers, sleeping and dressing facilities that align with the campers' gender identity. The department previously implemented gender identity rules regarding bathrooms in 2018. Camp IdRaHaJe, which derives its name from the hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus," is a Christian children's summer camp for kids ages 6 to 17 that has operated in the state since 1948. CHRISTIAN SUMMER CAMP SUES COLORADO OVER NEW TRANSGENDER RULE The camp filed a legal complaint in May after allegedly being denied a request for a religious exemption last year. It argued that the state's new gender rules violate its religious beliefs. Last week, Colorado agreed to update the language in its licensing regulations, clarifying that "churches, synagogues, mosques or any other place that is principally used for religious purposes" are not considered "places of public accommodation" and are thus not beholden to the gender identity rules. It also agreed not to "cite, suspend its license, revoke its license or otherwise take enforcement action" against Camp IdRaHaJe based on alleged noncompliance with these regulations. "This is a great victory for Camp IdRaHaJe, which is now protected from state action that would force it to comply with radical gender ideology policies that violate its deeply held religious beliefs," Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Ryan Tucker told Fox News Digital. "Thankfully, Colorado has also rightfully clarified that organizations principally used for religious purposes are now exempt from the new gender ideology rules." Tucker, one of Camp IdRaHaJe's legal representatives, said the agreement should provide "a sigh of relief" for other religious camps in the deep blue state. 4-H FEDERALLY FUNDED CAMPS UNDER FIRE FOR CABINING KIDS, ADULT COUNSELORS BY 'IDENTITY' Although it was "unfortunate that it took a federal lawsuit" to solve the dispute, Camp IdRaHaJe is thrilled to put this behind them and get back to "focusing on the mission they've been called to," he added. Guidelines on the department's website were updated on June 20 clarifying that churches and camps used for religious purposes are excluded from these gender regulations. A memo was also sent out reflecting this update as well as the following statement: "These rules were adopted for the sole purpose of incorporating CADA into CDEC's rules and do not alter, modify, or supersede the requirements of CADA or its implementing regulations," the Colorado Department of Early Childhood said. The department "has never interpreted or enforced licensing rules to require adherence to CADA and its accompanying rules unless a facility is a 'place of public accommodation' and this memo serves to formally confirm that interpretation," it continued. "We are glad to support Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je's understanding of their ability to provide a Christian camp experience to kids. The CDEC did not take any enforcement action against Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je related to any of the licensing regulations raised in the lawsuit and the camp was never under a threat of closure," said Dr. Lisa Roy, CDEC executive director. ADF said it voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit on Tuesday. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Print Close URL
CBS News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Christian camp settles federal lawsuit against Colorado Department of Early Childhood over gender separation rules
A Christian camp in Bailey is dismissing a lawsuit against the Colorado Department of Early Childhood as part of a settlement, in which the agency says religious organizations are exempt from a rule dealing with gender identity. Camp IdRaHaJe filed the lawsuit in federal court against Lisa Roy, executive director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, and Carin Rosa, director of the department's Division of Early Learning Licensing and Administration, in May. The camp said that a requirement from the department that camps allow children to use facilities that align with their gender identity violates the camp's longstanding practices and their religious freedom. The policy at the time asked the camp, "to choose between upholding its Biblical beliefs about biological sex and risk losing its license or abandoning its beliefs and mission by forcing girls and boys to shower, dress, and share sleeping quarters with campers of the opposite sex," Camp IdRaHaJe Executive Director Mike DeBoer said in a statement at the time. "We are asking the court to allow us to operate consistent with our beliefs and protect our campers from a gender ideology agenda." Camp IdRaHaJe CBS As part of the settlement, camp officials asked the department to affirm that the camp is not subject to the gender identity rules that are part of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, as it's a private Christian organization, not a "place of public accommodation." The department, however, says those exemptions were long-standing, that it's "not aware of any reason the regulations cited in the Complaint would have prevented the Camp from opening or continuing to operate this summer," and that it never took any action against the camp based on the gender identity rules. "We are glad to support Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je's understanding of their ability to provide a Christian camp experience to kids. The CDEC did not take any enforcement action against Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je related to any of the licensing regulations raised in the lawsuit and the camp was never under a threat of closure," Roy said in a statement Tuesday evening.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Christian summer camp sues Colorado over new transgender rule
A Christian summer camp that has operated in Colorado for decades is suing the state over new state licensing requirements that the camp says violate its religious beliefs on gender and sexuality. Camp IdRaHaJe, which derives its name from the hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus," is a Christian children's summer camp for kids ages 6 to 17. The camp has served Colorado families of all faiths and backgrounds since 1948 and welcomes 2,500 to 3,000 campers each year. Camp IdRaHaJe filed a complaint in federal court on May 12 challenging new state licensing rules issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood that allegedly require children's resident camps to permit campers access to bathing, dressing and sleeping facilities that align with the camper's gender identity. The camp first tried to get a religious exemption, but the department denied their request, according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the legal group representing Camp IdRaHaJe in court. Colorado Parents Unload On Liberal Lawmakers, Prompting Changes To Controversial Gender Bill ADF claims that the regulations put children at risk and violate the free exercise, establishment, and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution. Read On The Fox News App "Every child deserves respect of privacy," ADF senior counsel Ryan Tucker told Fox News Digital, adding, "But that respect of privacy must extend equally to all students. No one should be forced to share a room or showering facilities with someone of the opposite sex." "The law ignores reality and children are the ones who ultimately pay the price," he continued. Tucker explained that new rules require the Christian camp to abandon its "own faith and mission" in order to continue operating in Colorado. Colorado's 'Totalitarian' Transgenderism Bill Sparks Concerns From Parents "The state of Colorado has been quite hostile to people of faith over the past several years," Tucker said, referencing other religious liberty lawsuits against the state which have gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. "In particular, they're trying to ram down this gender ideology to everyone in the state," he said. The complaint states that families choose to send their kids to IdRaHaJe because of its Christian "policies, programs and education," and that families must agree to follow its policies on sex-specific facilities at registration. Under the new state policy, the camp must choose between upholding its religious beliefs and mission or abandoning these in order to keep its license and continue operating the camp, according to the complaint. In June, the camp must certify it is complying with all the resident camp regulations and a licensing specialist will also be visiting to inspect the camp to see if it is in compliance, according to the complaint. Camp IdRaHaJe has decided to continue operating under its current policies even though this risks fines and the loss of its license to operate. ADF says other children's resident camps are also expressing concerns about the new state licensing requirements. The legal group is asking the court to declare that these regulations on gender identity are unconstitutional. "The government has no place telling religious summer camps that it's 'lights out' for upholding their religious beliefs about human sexuality," ADF legal counsel Andrea Dill also said in a statement. "Camp IdRaHaJe exists to present the truth of the Gospel to children who are building character and lifelong memories. But the Colorado government is putting its dangerous agenda—that is losing popularity across the globe—ahead of its kids. We are urging the court to allow IdRaHaJe to operate as it has for over 75 years: as a Christian summer camp that accepts all campers without fear of being punished for its beliefs." The Colorado Department of Early Childhood said it could not comment on the pending litigation. There have been several other high-profile religious liberty cases against the state in recent years that have been heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2018, the high court ruled in favor of Colorado baker Jack Phillips, who was punished by the state after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In another landmark case before the court in 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's anti-discrimination law cannot force a graphic designer to make wedding websites for same-sex article source: Christian summer camp sues Colorado over new transgender rule
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Christian summer camp sues Colorado over new transgender rule
Print Close By Kristine Parks Published May 20, 2025 A Christian summer camp that has operated in Colorado for decades is suing the state over new state licensing requirements that the camp says violate its religious beliefs on gender and sexuality. Camp IdRaHaJe, which derives its name from the hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus," is a Christian children's summer camp for kids ages 6 to 17. The camp has served Colorado families of all faiths and backgrounds since 1948 and welcomes 2,500 to 3,000 campers each year. Camp IdRaHaJe filed a complaint in federal court on May 12 challenging new state licensing rules issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood that allegedly require children's resident camps to permit campers access to bathing, dressing and sleeping facilities that align with the camper's gender identity. The camp first tried to get a religious exemption, but the department denied their request, according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the legal group representing Camp IdRaHaJe in court. COLORADO PARENTS UNLOAD ON LIBERAL LAWMAKERS, PROMPTING CHANGES TO CONTROVERSIAL GENDER BILL ADF claims that the regulations put children at risk and violate the free exercise, establishment, and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution. "Every child deserves respect of privacy," ADF senior counsel Ryan Tucker told Fox News Digital, adding, "But that respect of privacy must extend equally to all students. No one should be forced to share a room or showering facilities with someone of the opposite sex." "The law ignores reality and children are the ones who ultimately pay the price," he continued. Tucker explained that new rules require the Christian camp to abandon its "own faith and mission" in order to continue operating in Colorado. COLORADO'S 'TOTALITARIAN' TRANSGENDERISM BILL SPARKS CONCERNS FROM PARENTS "The state of Colorado has been quite hostile to people of faith over the past several years," Tucker said, referencing other religious liberty lawsuits against the state which have gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. "In particular, they're trying to ram down this gender ideology to everyone in the state," he said. The complaint states that families choose to send their kids to IdRaHaJe because of its Christian "policies, programs and education," and that families must agree to follow its policies on sex-specific facilities at registration. Under the new state policy, the camp must choose between upholding its religious beliefs and mission or abandoning these in order to keep its license and continue operating the camp, according to the complaint. In June, the camp must certify it is complying with all the resident camp regulations and a licensing specialist will also be visiting to inspect the camp to see if it is in compliance, according to the complaint. Camp IdRaHaJe has decided to continue operating under its current policies even though this risks fines and the loss of its license to operate. ADF says other children's resident camps are also expressing concerns about the new state licensing requirements. The legal group is asking the court to declare that these regulations on gender identity are unconstitutional. "The government has no place telling religious summer camps that it's 'lights out' for upholding their religious beliefs about human sexuality," ADF legal counsel Andrea Dill also said in a statement. "Camp IdRaHaJe exists to present the truth of the Gospel to children who are building character and lifelong memories. But the Colorado government is putting its dangerous agenda—that is losing popularity across the globe—ahead of its kids. We are urging the court to allow IdRaHaJe to operate as it has for over 75 years: as a Christian summer camp that accepts all campers without fear of being punished for its beliefs." The Colorado Department of Early Childhood said it could not comment on the pending litigation. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP There have been several other high-profile religious liberty cases against the state in recent years that have been heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2018, the high court ruled in favor of Colorado baker Jack Phillips, who was punished by the state after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In another landmark case before the court in 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's anti-discrimination law cannot force a graphic designer to make wedding websites for same-sex marriages. Print Close URL
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado Christian summer camp sues state for requiring access to gender identity-friendly facilities
A Christian camp that has been operating since 1948 in Colorado is suing the state after the camp was told that it had to accommodate gender expression in bathrooms and a variety of other spaces. "They feel like they're honoring God in what they're doing, and I feel like they should do that, to operate in a way that's consistent with that," camp volunteer and mother Leah Rohwer told CBS News in an interview. The camp, known as Camp IdRaHaje, which is short for "I'd Rather Have Jesus," has refused to obey the state government's demands that it accommodate gender expression in camp facilities. Kennedy Center Promotes First Explicitly Pro-christian Feature In Years As Part Of New 'Family-friendly' Focus It is a conflict that is personal for Rohwer, who told CBS that she has a family member who identifies as transgender. "I have a heart for the kids that feel like they don't fit in their body," Rohwer said. "I love those kids and I'm not saying anything bad about any of those kids or family members, whoever it might be, but I feel like we shouldn't stomp on someone's religious freedom to try and help those folks." Read On The Fox News App "Camp IdRaHaJe has faithfully served and ministered to Colorado children of all backgrounds and faiths since 1948 and has successfully maintained its resident camp license since it first received one in 1995," camp Executive Director Mike DeBoer said in a statement. "The new policy of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, however, is asking IdRaHaJe to choose between upholding its Biblical beliefs about biological sex and risk losing its license or abandoning its beliefs and mission by forcing girls and boys to shower, dress, and share sleeping quarters with campers of the opposite sex. We are asking the court to allow us to operate consistent with our beliefs and protect our campers from a gender ideology agenda," he added. Afghan Christian Pastor Pleads With Trump, Warns Of Taliban Revenge After Admin Revokes Refugee Protections Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Andrea Dill, who is representing the camp, said in a statement, "The government has no place telling religious summer camps that it's 'lights out' for upholding their religious beliefs about human sexuality." "Camp IdRaHaJe exists to present the truth of the Gospel to children who are building character and lifelong memories. But the Colorado government is putting its dangerous agenda—that is losing popularity across the globe—ahead of its kids. We are urging the court to allow IdRaHaJe to operate as it has for over 75 years: as a Christian summer camp that accepts all campers without fear of being punished for its beliefs," she added. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, provided a statement to CBS, saying, "The Department will continue working in partnership with faith-based providers and camps within the confines of the law to ensure maximum participation. As I'm sure you understand, we cannot comment on active litigation." The Colorado Department of Early Childhood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News article source: Colorado Christian summer camp sues state for requiring access to gender identity-friendly facilities
