Federal Lawsuit Challenges Northglenn Over Church Activities At Public Park

By Savana Kascak | Complete Colorado

DENVER–Several recent legal motions related to an ongoing lawsuit against the City of Northglenn seek dismissal of citations issued to members of three Colorado churches for hosting a public worship and charity event at a city park.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a public interest law firm specializing in religious freedom, filed a lawsuit in federal court in November on behalf of those cited and other church members.

Northglenn, with around 38,000 residents, is a home rule municipality in the north metro Denver area.

Starting in July 2020, Brave Church, and The Crossing Church–both located in neighboring Westminster–as well as Next Step Church located in Thornton, began hosting religious ministry gatherings at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park in Northglenn. Every Tuesday and Thursday, pastors and church staff used the space on a first-come-first-serve basis for worship, prayer, Bible study, and feeding the homeless.

In the summer of 2024, the Northglenn chief of police approached the church leadership saying he was “tasked with shutting down” their gathering. Northglenn City Council then called a private meeting with the church representatives, describing the event as too large and disruptive.

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