Colorado Supreme Court orders children’s hospital to resume gender-affirming care for minors
PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-05-20 18:55:00 — www.pbs.org
Colorado Supreme Court Orders Resumption of Gender-Affirming Care Amid Federal Funding Threats
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Supreme Court has mandated that Colorado’s largest provider of gender-affirming care for young people resume medical treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy, despite warnings that continuing these services could jeopardize federal funding. This ruling comes after Children’s Hospital Colorado suspended treatments for transgender patients under 18 in January, citing an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that followed a series of confrontations between the Trump administration and advocates for transgender healthcare.
Background of the Case
The hospital announced it was reviewing the court’s ruling and considering its next steps. It previously stated it would continue to provide mental health treatment for minors and medical care for patients aged 18 to 21. The case was brought forth by four transgender girls, aged 10 to 17, who, through their parents, alleged that the hospital violated the state’s antidiscrimination law by denying them treatment based on their gender identity and disability, specifically gender dysphoria. This condition refers to the distress experienced when an individual’s gender expression does not align with their sex assigned at birth.
The plaintiffs expressed concerns about the potential lack of access to medication and monitoring necessary to prevent the onset of puberty and the development of male characteristics. They also cited significant mental health impacts, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
Court Ruling and Implications
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the girls with a 5-2 decision, stating that the hospital’s decision to halt services for minors violated state antidiscrimination laws. Justice William Wood III, in the majority opinion, emphasized that “the actual immediate and irreparable harm to petitioners outweighs the speculative harm CHC may face if the federal government further acts against it.” In dissent, Justice Brian Boatright argued that the hospital’s decision was not based on the patients’ gender identity but rather on the threat to the hospital’s overall viability.
This ruling aligns with a recent decision from a Kansas judge who also supported the rights of transgender minors. The TRUE Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado is recognized as one of the largest gender-affirming care programs in the nation and the only comprehensive center in the Rocky Mountain region.
Federal Investigation and Controversy
The investigation by HHS was prompted by a declaration from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which labeled treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy as unsafe and ineffective for children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria. However, an Oregon-based federal judge ruled in March that Kennedy’s declaration overstepped its bounds, siding with Colorado and 20 other states.
Trump’s Influence on Transgender Healthcare Policy
The Trump administration’s stance on transgender healthcare has been contentious, with former President Trump making numerous statements that critics argue have misrepresented the safety and efficacy of gender-affirming treatments. For instance, Trump has claimed that “transgender women are men” and has suggested that allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military would harm military readiness. Such statements have been widely criticized by medical professionals and advocates who argue that they contribute to stigma and misinformation surrounding transgender healthcare.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the implications of the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling may resonate beyond state lines, potentially influencing similar cases across the country and shaping the future of transgender healthcare access.
Mulvihill reported from Haddonfield, New Jersey.
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