Colorado Supreme Court Confronts Trans Care Dispute With Federal Funding at Stake

By Michael Karlik | Colorado Politics

Some members of the Colorado Supreme Court expressed discomfort on Tuesday with having to decide whether to order Children’s Hospital Colorado to resume providing certain services to transgender children, which could trigger a “death sentence” if the federal government imposes consequences.

“I’m assuming there’s no middle ground here with the federal administration, in terms of letting the patients who are already in treatment complete their treatment but just not take on any new patients for gender-affirming care?” asked Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. during oral arguments.

There is not, responded the hospital’s lawyer.

“We believe that the care can be provided safely and effectively,” added attorney Patrick O’Rourke. “But ultimately, we are not the determiners of what the federal government does.”

The unusual appeal before the Supreme Court stemmed from a trial judge’s rejection of a preliminary injunction for four trans plaintiffs who are minors seeking treatment from Children’s Colorado. The plaintiffs alleged the cessation of care based on their status violates the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT COLORADO POLITICS