A federal court has ruled that the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine's COVID-19 vaccine mandate is unconstitutional.
The court found that the mandate demonstrated “religious animus” and violated the First Amendment's Establishment and Free Exercise clauses.
The mandate recognized religious exceptions but required applicants to overcome hurdles that were unevenly applied.
The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by the Thomas More Society on behalf of students and employees whose religious exemptions were denied. The court's decision could have implications for similar cases, including the Children's Health Defense's lawsuit against Rutgers University.
However, the ruling is more narrow than it may seem, as it only applies to cases where colleges selectively deny religious exemptions. The ruling could potentially hold colleges accountable for religious discrimination.
The University of Colorado's policy discriminated in favor of some religions and against others, which is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The court found that the university's “intrusive inquiry” into applicants' religious beliefs was barred by the Establishment Clause. The policy had real-world consequences, including firing two plaintiffs who were university employees.
The ruling may impact other legal challenges to university vaccine mandates, such as the Children's Health Defense's lawsuit against Rutgers University.
