Colorado Frees Christian Summer Camp to Operate According to Beliefs

ADF Lawsuit Prompts State to Let Camp Keep License, Maintain Private Spaces Based on Biological Sex

Wednesday, Jun 25, 2025

DENVER – One month after filing a federal lawsuit against the state of Colorado, a Christian summer camp has reached a favorable settlement with state officials that allows the camp to operate without compromising its religious and commonsense beliefs about biological sex. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys represented Camp IdRaHaJe in its challenge to a Colorado Department of Early Childhood policy update that forced licensed resident camps to allow campers to use the private facilities of the opposite sex.

As part of the settlement, Colorado agreed not to take any enforcement action against Camp IdRaHaJe for violation of the gender identity requirements. The state is also clarifying in a memo on its website and in administrative guides that “churches, synagogues, mosques, or any other place that is principally used for religious purposes” are exempt from the requirements.

“Government officials should never put a dangerous ideology ahead of kids,” said ADF Legal Counsel Andrea Dill. “State officials must respect religious ministries and their beliefs about human sexuality; they can’t force a Christian summer camp to violate its convictions. We’re pleased that Camp IdRaHaJe is again free to operate as it has for more than 75 years: as a Christian summer camp that accepts all campers without fear of being punished for its beliefs.”

Camp IdRaHaJe, which derives its name from the hymn “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” has served children in Bailey, Colorado, since 1948 and has maintained a resident camp license in the state since 1995. Recently, the department that issues resident camp licenses amended its regulations, requiring children’s camps to allow campers to access bathing, dressing, and sleeping facilities designated for the opposite sex. When the camp requested to operate consistently with its religious beliefs, the department denied the request, forcing the camp to choose between upholding its beliefs about biological sex and risking losing its license or abandoning its beliefs and mission to minister to children. The camp filed suit in May.

Camp IdRaHaJe serves children ages 6 to 17 and offers off-site backpacking and camping trips along with numerous on-site activities. Each year, 2,500 to 3,000 students attend, and the camp’s mission is to “win souls to Jesus Christ through the spreading of the Gospel.” The camp is open to children of all backgrounds and beliefs, and parents are asked to agree to the camp’s policies when registering.

In light of the settlement, ADF attorneys filed a voluntary notice of dismissal in Camp IdRaHaJe Association v. Roy on Tuesday.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

Read the original article at ADF Media

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