SCOTUS rules against CO ban on youth conversion therapy; Trump admin posts Craig coal plant renewal order; Head of CO Medicaid resigns amid budget shortfall

Headlines Wednesday, April 1, 2026

 

SCOTUS ruling overturns CO ban on youth conversion therapy

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Colorado’s law that bans conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth. The case was brought on behalf of a therapist who said she had the right to speak freely with her clients.

Colorado’s law prohibits mental health professionals in the state from attempting to change a minor client’s sexual orientation or gender identity during talk therapy sessions. Major psychological governing bodies say the practice is harmful and the state argued it has the authority to regulate licensed therapists.

But an eight to one high court majority sided with a Christian counselor who argues the law banning certain therapies violates the First Amendment. The majority found the Colorado law regulates speech based on viewpoint, and permits some types of speech but not others. One of the sponsors of Colorado’s law said the ruling would put some children in jeopardy.

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Trump admin posts Craig coal plant renewal order

A coal-fired power plant is staying open longer than planned, after the Trump administration has officially posted the renewal 202(c) order for the Craig Unit 1 coal plant.

The Craig Unit 1 plant was scheduled to shut down, but federal officials now want it to remain available through at least June. They say the move is needed to prevent possible electricity shortages as power demand grows.

State leaders, environmental groups and even the utility that owns the plant say it isn’t necessary. They argue the plant hasn’t been needed to generate electricity recently and keeping it running could cost millions of dollars.

Those costs could be passed on to customers. Colorado has spent years planning to move away from coal and shift toward renewable energy. Opponents of the federal order say that extending the plant’s life undermines that transition and keeps pollution in place longer than expected.

The state is now challenging the order in court, but for now, the plant remains open, even though its closure had already been scheduled.

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Head of CO Medicaid resigns amid budget shortfall

The head of Colorado’s Medicaid office abruptly resigned Monday as lawmakers ponder major cuts to the program’s budget.

Kim Bimestefer is stepping down amid a $1.5 billion state budget crisis that’s partially fueled by ballooning Medicaid costs. Recent revelations also show that in the last few years the state’s Medicaid program misspent hundreds of millions of dollars. The Colorado Sun reports that state senators were also preparing to hold a vote of no confidence against Bimestefer.

In a press release announcing her resignation, Governor Jared Polis thanked Bimestefer for her work to expand healthcare access in Colorado and to hold the industry accountable. She has led the department since 2018.

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RTD leadership reform bill introduced

State lawmakers introduced a bill Monday to reform the leadership of Colorado’s largest transit system – the Regional Transportation District.

RTD, which serves the Denver-Boulder region, is currently governed by a board of fifteen elected members. The bill would cut the board down to nine members. Only five would be elected. The other four would be appointed by the governor, and would include experts in areas like finance, labor, transit planning and disproportionately impacted communities.

Senator Matt Ball, one of the measure’s sponsors, said that “RTDs current board structure is large and fragmented, which slows decision making and makes it harder to implement bold strategies.”

Ball also says the current system has seen low voter turnout and little competition in board elections. The proposed changes would take effect in 2029. The bill would also require a study on RTD’s paratransit system, which serves people with disabilities.

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Classes are canceled in Sheridan School District as teachers prepare to strike

Sheridan District leaders announced schools will be closed starting Wednesday, saying they don’t have enough staff to keep classrooms open safely as teachers plan to go on strike.

At the center of this is a long-running dispute between teachers and the district over a contract that expired last summer.

Teachers have been working all school year without a new agreement. After months of stalled negotiations, union members voted earlier this month to authorize a strike.

The teachers’ union says the district hasn’t seriously negotiated or responded to proposals. District leaders say they’re still trying to find common ground and return to the bargaining table.

In the meantime, families are left adjusting to sudden school closures. The district says it will provide to-go meals for students while classes are canceled.

It’s still unclear how long the strike could last or when students will be back in the classroom.

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You can hear daily headlines on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show, with coverage of local and regional public affairs and news with headlines and commentary. Click here to listen to full episodes of the Morning Magazine.

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