On August 21, 2026, the National Women’s Law Center, represented by Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, filed an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program (UPK). The brief was joined by 35 additional child care provider and advocacy organizations, including providers who serve thousands of children in Colorado and beyond.

In this case, the Court is asked whether UPK’s nondiscrimination requirement unconstitutionally burdens faith-based child care providers who wish to exclude children of same-sex couples. NWLC’s amicus brief argues that a mixed-delivery model that allows faith-based providers to receive state funding is not only compatible with Colorado’s intent to ensure every child has access to high-quality early education, but that Colorado’s nondiscrimination provision is necessary to effectuate the universal access UPK was enacted to support. The brief uplifts perspectives of Colorado parents and providers who detail how faith-based providers mitigate ongoing access challenges across the state and how seamless it can be for faith-based providers to comply with nondiscrimination requirements and include all families. Universal access to child care is essential for the health and development of children, women’s workforce participation, and economic security for families.

NWLC was joined in this brief by Academy of Arts and Knowledge, Advocates for Children of New Jersey, Alliance for Quality Education, Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, Anchor Center for Blind Children, The Center for Law and Social Policy, Child Care Law Center, Children’s Garden Learning Academy, Children’s Village, Inc., Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues, Cobalt, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, Community Change, The Efshar Project, Elephant Circle, Feminist Majority Foundation, Foundation Montessori Preschool, Michigan League for Public Policy, Montessori Partnerships for Georgia, National Council of Jewish Women, National Organization for Women, Natural Start Alliance (a Project of the North American Association for Environmental Education), New Horizon Academy, NJ Communities United, Playcrafter Kids, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), Public Counsel, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Sewall Child Development Center, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), Temple Sinai Preschool, Vote Mama Lobby, WEPOWER, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and 9to5 GA.

Read the amicus brief here.