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Issue Monday: The Assault on Religious Liberty, Free Speech, and Parental Rights in Colorado
Join the Centennial Institute for a critical Issue Monday event exploring the growing threats to core constitutional freedoms in Colorado.
As Colorado faces a third visit to the U.S. Supreme Court in seven years for violating conscience rights in Chiles v. Salazar, the ongoing assaults on individual liberty are increasingly impacting families and religious communities across the state. Our expert panel will examine recent and troubling developments, including the Elizabeth School District controversy over the removal of inappropriate books, state pressure on Camp IdRaHaJe to compromise its religious mission, and the increasing trend of school administrators facilitating gender transitions without parental consent. This timely conversation will highlight the importance of protecting religious liberty, free speech, and parental rights in the face of mounting government overreach.
This event will not be available for livestreaming; we apologize for any inconvenience.
Issue Monday: The Assault on Religious Liberty, Free Speech, and Parental Rights in Colorado
Monday, October 13, 2025
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm MT
Fran & Larry Donnithorne Great Hall
Anschutz Student Center
Colorado Christian University
8787 W. Alameda Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80226
MEDIA CREDENTIALING: While members of the media are welcome to attend our events, they are not allowed inside university buildings or facilities for the purpose of reporting unless they have received prior approval in writing from the Communications and Creative Services Department. For more information on how to apply for a media credential, please email centennial@ccu.edu.
About Our Panelists:
Julian Ellis represents a diverse group of sophisticated clients in public and political law, regulatory, and commercial matters. At the appellate level, Julian has developed winning strategies on a range of issues, including federal and state constitutional law, administrative law, federal jurisdiction, tax, torts, products liability, employment, and statutory interpretation. He is counsel of record in appeals before federal and state courts across the country, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, Colorado Supreme Court, and Colorado Court of Appeals. Julian also has a robust amicus practice and regularly files amicus briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and federal circuit courts. At the trial level, Julian serves as lead strategist in complex federal and state litigation matters. He has advised clients on matters related to breach of contract, municipality law, constitutional law, campaign finance, federal permitting, the Endangered Species Act, federal maritime law, and water rights, among others. Julian often parachutes into existing litigation to handle novel, first-impression issues before the trial court in anticipation of appeal. Julian also has experience trying cases. He has prosecuted a breach-of-contract action through trial on behalf of a Colorado company, securing the enforcement of an unsigned agreement and an award of full damages and attorney’s fees and costs. He has defended a multimillion-dollar arbitration in Florida that resulted in zero liability for his client. And he has prosecuted an oil and gas arbitration, which resulted in a multimillion-dollar award that was 15 times more than the last settlement offer. When Julian is not practicing law, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young sons on their Elbert County ranch. Julian is an aspiring working cow horse competitor and accomplished DIY hunter.
Dan Snowberger was appointed unanimously by the Board of Education as Superintendent of Elizabeth School District on March 13, 2023. Dan has 39 years of experience in public education including that of a paraprofessional, a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. In the middle of his career, he worked for a private non-profit to support charter schools across the country in developing strong curricular programs in between his roles in public schools in Florida and Colorado. Prior to becoming superintendent in Elizabeth, Dan served as Superintendent of Schools in Durango, CO, Zone Superintendent in El Paso County 49, and Assistant Superintendent in the Harrison School District. Dan is especially proud of his efforts to refocus the public-school districts on their main mission – educating students and ensuring parents retain their rights to make important decisions for their children. He is excited to be a part of the Elizabeth School District with a Board who shares his values and reinforces parental rights! He is especially proud of the bold stands his Board has taken with the support of the Elizabeth community, despite the challenging legislation that continues to emerge from the legislature.
Lathan Watts serves as Vice President of Public Affairs for Alliance Defending Freedom. He represents ADF at external events, conferences, and in media. He serves as liaison between the strategic initiatives department and other departments at ADF and ADF’s executive-level team leaders including the ADF President and General Counsel regarding media engagement and public communication. His writing on American politics, culture, and the Constitution has been featured at the Daily Signal, National Review, American Thinker, Epoch Times, and numerous other publications. Prior to joining ADF, Watts spent nearly twenty years in various roles within the political, public policy, and non-profit sectors. He held campaign and official staff positions for U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and Texas Governor Rick Perry. He served four years as a City Councilman in Lewisville, TX. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi and his Bachelor of Arts in History from Harding University.
