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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Christian summer camp sues Colorado over new transgender rule
A Christian summer camp that has operated in Colorado for decades is suing the state over new state licensing requirements that the camp says violate its religious beliefs on gender and sexuality. Camp IdRaHaJe, which derives its name from the hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus," is a Christian children's summer camp for kids ages 6 to 17. The camp has served Colorado families of all faiths and backgrounds since 1948 and welcomes 2,500 to 3,000 campers each year. Camp IdRaHaJe filed a complaint in federal court on May 12 challenging new state licensing rules issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood that allegedly require children's resident camps to permit campers access to bathing, dressing and sleeping facilities that align with the camper's gender identity. The camp first tried to get a religious exemption, but the department denied their request, according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the legal group representing Camp IdRaHaJe in court. Colorado Parents Unload On Liberal Lawmakers, Prompting Changes To Controversial Gender Bill ADF claims that the regulations put children at risk and violate the free exercise, establishment, and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution. Read On The Fox News App "Every child deserves respect of privacy," ADF senior counsel Ryan Tucker told Fox News Digital, adding, "But that respect of privacy must extend equally to all students. No one should be forced to share a room or showering facilities with someone of the opposite sex." "The law ignores reality and children are the ones who ultimately pay the price," he continued. Tucker explained that new rules require the Christian camp to abandon its "own faith and mission" in order to continue operating in Colorado. Colorado's 'Totalitarian' Transgenderism Bill Sparks Concerns From Parents "The state of Colorado has been quite hostile to people of faith over the past several years," Tucker said, referencing other religious liberty lawsuits against the state which have gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. "In particular, they're trying to ram down this gender ideology to everyone in the state," he said. The complaint states that families choose to send their kids to IdRaHaJe because of its Christian "policies, programs and education," and that families must agree to follow its policies on sex-specific facilities at registration. Under the new state policy, the camp must choose between upholding its religious beliefs and mission or abandoning these in order to keep its license and continue operating the camp, according to the complaint. In June, the camp must certify it is complying with all the resident camp regulations and a licensing specialist will also be visiting to inspect the camp to see if it is in compliance, according to the complaint. Camp IdRaHaJe has decided to continue operating under its current policies even though this risks fines and the loss of its license to operate. ADF says other children's resident camps are also expressing concerns about the new state licensing requirements. The legal group is asking the court to declare that these regulations on gender identity are unconstitutional. "The government has no place telling religious summer camps that it's 'lights out' for upholding their religious beliefs about human sexuality," ADF legal counsel Andrea Dill also said in a statement. "Camp IdRaHaJe exists to present the truth of the Gospel to children who are building character and lifelong memories. But the Colorado government is putting its dangerous agenda—that is losing popularity across the globe—ahead of its kids. We are urging the court to allow IdRaHaJe to operate as it has for over 75 years: as a Christian summer camp that accepts all campers without fear of being punished for its beliefs." The Colorado Department of Early Childhood said it could not comment on the pending litigation. There have been several other high-profile religious liberty cases against the state in recent years that have been heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2018, the high court ruled in favor of Colorado baker Jack Phillips, who was punished by the state after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In another landmark case before the court in 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's anti-discrimination law cannot force a graphic designer to make wedding websites for same-sex article source: Christian summer camp sues Colorado over new transgender rule
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Christian summer camp sues Colorado over new transgender rule
Print Close By Kristine Parks Published May 20, 2025 A Christian summer camp that has operated in Colorado for decades is suing the state over new state licensing requirements that the camp says violate its religious beliefs on gender and sexuality. Camp IdRaHaJe, which derives its name from the hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus," is a Christian children's summer camp for kids ages 6 to 17. The camp has served Colorado families of all faiths and backgrounds since 1948 and welcomes 2,500 to 3,000 campers each year. Camp IdRaHaJe filed a complaint in federal court on May 12 challenging new state licensing rules issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood that allegedly require children's resident camps to permit campers access to bathing, dressing and sleeping facilities that align with the camper's gender identity. The camp first tried to get a religious exemption, but the department denied their request, according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the legal group representing Camp IdRaHaJe in court. COLORADO PARENTS UNLOAD ON LIBERAL LAWMAKERS, PROMPTING CHANGES TO CONTROVERSIAL GENDER BILL ADF claims that the regulations put children at risk and violate the free exercise, establishment, and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution. "Every child deserves respect of privacy," ADF senior counsel Ryan Tucker told Fox News Digital, adding, "But that respect of privacy must extend equally to all students. No one should be forced to share a room or showering facilities with someone of the opposite sex." "The law ignores reality and children are the ones who ultimately pay the price," he continued. Tucker explained that new rules require the Christian camp to abandon its "own faith and mission" in order to continue operating in Colorado. COLORADO'S 'TOTALITARIAN' TRANSGENDERISM BILL SPARKS CONCERNS FROM PARENTS "The state of Colorado has been quite hostile to people of faith over the past several years," Tucker said, referencing other religious liberty lawsuits against the state which have gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. "In particular, they're trying to ram down this gender ideology to everyone in the state," he said. The complaint states that families choose to send their kids to IdRaHaJe because of its Christian "policies, programs and education," and that families must agree to follow its policies on sex-specific facilities at registration. Under the new state policy, the camp must choose between upholding its religious beliefs and mission or abandoning these in order to keep its license and continue operating the camp, according to the complaint. In June, the camp must certify it is complying with all the resident camp regulations and a licensing specialist will also be visiting to inspect the camp to see if it is in compliance, according to the complaint. Camp IdRaHaJe has decided to continue operating under its current policies even though this risks fines and the loss of its license to operate. ADF says other children's resident camps are also expressing concerns about the new state licensing requirements. The legal group is asking the court to declare that these regulations on gender identity are unconstitutional. "The government has no place telling religious summer camps that it's 'lights out' for upholding their religious beliefs about human sexuality," ADF legal counsel Andrea Dill also said in a statement. "Camp IdRaHaJe exists to present the truth of the Gospel to children who are building character and lifelong memories. But the Colorado government is putting its dangerous agenda—that is losing popularity across the globe—ahead of its kids. We are urging the court to allow IdRaHaJe to operate as it has for over 75 years: as a Christian summer camp that accepts all campers without fear of being punished for its beliefs." The Colorado Department of Early Childhood said it could not comment on the pending litigation. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP There have been several other high-profile religious liberty cases against the state in recent years that have been heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2018, the high court ruled in favor of Colorado baker Jack Phillips, who was punished by the state after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. In another landmark case before the court in 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's anti-discrimination law cannot force a graphic designer to make wedding websites for same-sex marriages. Print Close URL
Business Journals
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
RFR loses 285 Madison to lender
RFR has forfeited control of another office building in Midtown Manhattan through foreclosure. RFR has returned an office building at 285 Madison Ave. to Korean investment firm Daol Asset Management. RFR had owned the building since 2012, paying $189.3 million to acquire the property from Young & Rubicam Inc., New York City property records show. 'After a decade of ownership and great stewardship of 285 Madison Avenue, RFR elected not to bid on the property given its write-down of the property value driven by today's capital markets environment," RFR said in a statement. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events RFR's loan at 285 Madison fell into maturity default in late 2022, but was extended to provide time for recovery. The loan came back into default in late 2024 when the extension expired, according to a statement from Ocean West Capital Partners, which was hired to evaluate debt recovery strategies on the property and led the foreclosure process on the building. "We believe that the quality of the building, the vibrancy of the market and our cost basis will provide a strong opportunity to enhance cashflows and create value over time," Ryan Tucker, principal at Ocean West, said in a statement. Newmark is handling the leasing of the office property located near Grand Central Terminal. The average asking rent in the Grand Central submarket is $79 per square foot, according to Avison Young. Ocean West describes the 285 Madison as "well leased" and is taking note of an improving office market in Midtown Manhattan. More than 57,000 square feet of office availabilities are being marketed as available at the 511,000-square-foot building. After $80 million in renovations, the building was modernized with an amenity program, rooftop deck, event space, conferencing center and gym. "With Manhattan office leasing trends improving dramatically and increased investment activity in the market, the mezzanine lender concluded that its strongest course of action was to exercise its foreclosure rights and invest new capital to take control of the property," Ocean West said in a statement. Daol's acquisition comes after RFR lost control of the Chrysler Building earlier this year. RFR is also weighing its options for the Church Missions House, which photo museum Fotografiska departed last fall to seek a new location. "As we continue to focus on key projects across our 100-property portfolio, our priority is centered on creating value and delivering an exceptional experience for our tenants," RFR said. "We remain excited to pursue new investment opportunities during this dynamic phase of the market cycle." Sign up for the Business Journal's free daily newsletter to receive the latest business news impacting New York.
