Centennial Institute Supports Camp IdRaHaJe in Latest Religious Liberty Lawsuit 

May 21, 2025  

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University stands in support of Camp IdRaHaJe in the recent lawsuit filed by Alliance Defending Freedom in seeking religious protections from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood’s mandate requiring the private Christian camp to allow transgender-identifying minors to use private facilities of the opposite biological sex, including bathing, dressing, and sleeping areas.

Centennial Institute Director Greg Schaller issued the following statement:

“The Centennial Institute strongly condemns the strong-handed government coercion exhibited by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood in requiring Camp IdRaHaJe to allow transgender-identifying minors to bunk and shower with campers of the opposite sex. This action constitutes a clear and troubling violation of religious liberty and the First Amendment’s guarantee of the free exercise of religion.

Camp IdRaHaJe operates in accordance with long-held Christian convictions concerning biological sex and human sexuality. These convictions are not rooted in animus or discrimination, but in a sincere theological understanding of human nature and personal identity, as well as the responsibility to provide a safe, orderly, and morally consistent environment for all campers. Forcing the camp to abandon these beliefs under threat of state penalty and/or loss of camp licensure is an unacceptable infringement on conscience rights.

This mandate forces Christian organizations to either betray their religious convictions or face exclusion from state-regulated activity. That is not neutrality. That is hostility toward religion.

As affirmed repeatedly by the United States Supreme Court, the Free Exercise Clause prohibits government action that burdens religious practice without a compelling interest pursued through the least restrictive means. The state has failed on both counts. It is not the role of the government to infringe upon the religious beliefs and practices of Camp IdRaHaJe.

This directive from the Department of Early Childhood represents not only an attack on a single camp, but a dangerous precedent for all faith-based organizations that seek to serve children and families with integrity, compassion, and fidelity to their beliefs.

We urge Governor Jared Polis and state leadership to reconsider this heedless overreach. We call on the public, especially people of faith across Colorado, to stand in solidarity with Camp IdRaHaJe and all religious institutions who simply ask for the constitutional freedom to live and minister according to their deeply held beliefs.

The Centennial Institute remains committed to defending religious liberty for all and to ensuring that Colorado remains a place where faith is not punished but protected.”

For press inquiries, contact Jon D. Wilke at Jon@alarryross.com.  

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