Colorado

Colorado parents sue district over alleged policy to assign rooms based on gender identity instead of sex

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2024

Colorado parents sue district over alleged policy to assign rooms based on gender identity instead of sex

Parents of students in a Colorado school district are suing over an alleged policy that forced children to bunk with students of the opposite sex in what they claim is a violation of their rights.

Alliance Defending Freedom filed suit against Jefferson County Public Schools (JeffCo) on Thursday on behalf of three Colorado families who claim the policy keeps them in the dark.

Joe and Serena Wailes said their 11-year-old daughter was forced to share her bed with a biological male who identified as a girl on an overnight trip in June 2023. The Wailes’ daughter said she found out one of the students she was assigned to share a room with was a biological male who identified as a female, which she only found out when the student told her as they were getting ready for bed on the first night of the trip.

JeffCo policy states that students who identify as the opposite sex should be “assigned to share overnight accommodations with other students that share the student’s gender identity consistently asserted at school.”

“Under no circumstance shall a student who is transgender be required to share a room with students whose gender identity conflicts with their own,” the policy states.

ADF claims the school district tells parents that “girls will be roomed together on one floor, and boys will be roomed together on a different floor,” but what it fails to disclose is that they have redefined the words “girl” and “boy” to mean a student’s self-asserted “gender identity” rather than sex.

Joe and Serena Wailes (Alliance Defending Freedom)

The Wailes sent two letters to the school district asking JeffCo to allow parents to opt their children out of any policy prior to an overnight trip that rooms children by gender identity rather than sex. They claim the school district denied their request.

COLORADO DISTRICT EQUITY DOCS REVEAL METHODICAL SYSTEM TO DECEIVE PARENTS ON IN-SCHOOL SOCIAL TRANSITIONS

Because the Wailes’ daughter was uncomfortable with the idea of sharing a bed with a male student, she snuck into the bathroom and quietly called her father and then her mother. She was reportedly supposed to be assigned to a room with three fifth-grade girls.

The chaperones reportedly asked the Wailes’ daughter if she could simply move to another bed rather than a new room, and while she was still uncomfortable, she agreed to try it for that night so that she could get some sleep, according to ADF. Later, chaperones on the trip allegedly told the Wailes’ daughter to “lie” about the reason why she wanted to switch rooms.

ADF argues that the district refused to give parents “truthful, pertinent information” about their children’s overnight accommodations, which hinders their ability “to make informed decisions about their children’s education and privacy.”

Serena Wailes told Fox News Digital that parents should have complete transparency from schools on information that directly impacts their children.

DIVERSITY TEACHERS SAYS HE WANTS TO ‘BURN THINGS DOWN’ FOR EQUITY AGENDA AFTER STAFF TRASHES HIS DEI CLASS

“We never thought our daughter would be put in a situation like this, or we would be forced to ask our own school district to stop hiding information regarding our children’s privacy and safety, but the need for transparency and trust towards our school district is critical,” she said.

“Every child deserves respect and privacy, but that respect and privacy must extend to all students equally, and as parents, we have a duty to make the best decisions on behalf of our children to guide and protect their well-being,” she added.

Since the Wailes spoke out in December, more parents have come forward with similar reports.

At the district’s “Outdoor Lab” retreat, in which sixth-grade students travel to the mountains for a science trip, a group of middle-school girls had a student who identified as trans placed in their cabin without the knowledge of their parents, according to ADF. In addition, a high school counselor, a transgender-identifying female, was put in charge of a cabin of sixth-grade boys, which reportedly included monitoring their showers.

ADF sent a second letter to the district in January in light of new information as more parents came forward. The school district has also refused to provide accommodation for students attending trips like Outdoor Lab in the event they are uncomfortable with staying in the same room as students of the opposite biological sex, the suit claims.

WISCONSIN PARENTS CHALLENGE TITLE IX CHANGES DURING SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: ‘BOYS ARE BOYS AND GIRLS ARE GIRLS’

Mallory Sleight, ADF legal counsel, told Fox News Digital that the Wailes and the two other families suing just want what is best for their children so they can feel safe and comfortable at school and on school trips.

Joe and Serena Wailes (Alliance Defending Freedom)

“JeffCo has pushed a policy that leaves parents in the dark and creates confusion and discomfort for children attending school-sponsored trips,” she said. “We are now filing this lawsuit against Jefferson County Public Schools because they continue to override the voice of parents by ignoring their concerns for their children.”

Joe Wailes previously described feeling “helpless” in protecting his daughter from the situation in a December interview with Fox News Digital.

“It was a bit of a shock. It was a helpless feeling,” he said. “Here I am … she was calling me and texting me from the bathroom because she didn’t want the other kids to overhear what she was saying. So it’s a pretty helpless feeling when your daughter is hiding in the bathroom, she’s trying to convey a message to you, and you’re 2,000 miles away and can’t do anything.”

Fox News Digital reached out to JeffCo for comment.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News’ Hannah Grossman contributed to this report.

Kendall Tietz is a writer with Fox News Digital.

Source link

Colorado

Bennett Zmolek’s first goal in four years sparks UND past Colorado College

Published

9 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Bennett Zmolek’s first goal in four years sparks UND past Colorado College

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There was no elaborate celebration from Bennett Zmolek.

In fact, he didn’t even see it go in.

“I saw Resch coming at me,” Zmolek said of teammate Cole Reschny. “I was like, I guess it went in.”

Zmolek scored his first goal in nearly four years to help UND beat Colorado College 5-2 on Saturday night in Ed Robson Arena.

His last goal was Jan. 20, 2022, when he was a freshman at Minnesota State against St. Thomas. That was 1,450 days and three hip surgeries ago.

With the game tied 1-1 in the second period, Zmolek spotted open ice on the right side of the rink and pinched from his defensive spot. Reschny made a cross-ice pass and Zmolek one-timed it five-hole on Tiger goalie Kaidan Mbereko.

“I’d say huge props to Resch,” Zmolek said. “He set it all up. I just had to tap it in.”

Teammate Dylan James grabbed the puck for Zmolek to keep.

“So proud of him,” James said. “Obviously, he’s been through a lot these past couple years. He’s played minimal games the last two years and he was voted captain. That shows what kind of guy he is. He’s the rock of our team. It’s very special seeing him get his first in a UND jersey.”

Zmolek’s teammates celebrated the goal more than he did.

“We were all screaming on the bench,” forward Anthony Menghini said. “He’s such a great leader, such a great captain, does all the right things. For him to put it in the net was huge.”

UND defenseman Bennett Zmolek (center) celebrates his goal against Colorado College with forward Cole Reschny (17) on Jan. 10, 2026, in Ed Robson Arena.

Daryl Batt / Colorado College athletics

UND also received goals from James, Tyler Young, Abram Wiebe and Reschny. James and Reschny tallied assists and had two-point nights, while Menghini notched two assists.

UND (17-5) took four points from the weekend after losing Friday’s series opener 3-2 in overtime.

The Fighting Hawks finally got to Tiger goalie Kaidan Mbereko, who had won six in a row against UND. Mbereko gave up four goals on 24 shots before leaving with an apparent injury in the third period.

“I don’t believe our record is great against CC, but this team is different,” James said. “It feels great to bounce back from yesterday and get a win.”

The Fighting Hawks sit atop the National Collegiate Hockey Conference standings, five points ahead of Denver. The Pioneers come to Ralph Engelstad Arena next weekend.

“Their coach. . . I have a lot of respect for Kris Mayotte,” UND coach Dane Jackson said. “He kind of mentioned that he really thought our North Dakota mentality was evident this weekend. That was pretty nice for him to say.”

Jan Špunar, starting on consecutive nights for the first time since Dec. 5-6 at St. Cloud State, stopped 19 of 21. He allowed a pair of goals to defenseman Mats Lindgren, a midseason pickup from the ECHL.

But the night belonged to Zmolek.

After the game, Zmolek was asked what he remembered about his last goal.

“St. Thomas, right?” he said. “Their old barn. Low blocker.”

That goal came at the end of the 2021-22 season. Zmolek missed nearly the entire 2022-23 season due to hip surgery.

He transferred to UND in the summer of 2023, and helped anchor UND’s defensive corps to a Penrose Cup in 2023-24. He missed all but one game last year with another hip surgery.

“I’m so happy for him,” Jackson said. “It was a great read, a great pass and he got a lot of wood on it. It was really a high-skill play. The guys are so happy for him. He’s such a leader for us in so many ways. Obviously, most of the time it’s with his defensive play and penalty killing and everything else. But to see him bring out the offense in a big moment, I was just so happy for him. He’s a warrior.”

Notes: UND wore its black jerseys. It is 4-1 in the black jerseys this season. Colorado College wore gold. . . UND played without Josh Zakreski (lower body) and Cody Croal (illness). The Fighting Hawks moved Jayden Jubenvill into the lineup for Sam Laurila. . . Colorado College played without forward Owen Beckner (upper), forward Brandon Lisowsky (lower), defenseman Max Burkholder (lower) and defenseman Colton Roberts (upper).

By
Brad Elliott Schlossman

Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.

Source link

Colorado

Colorado mom, 6-year-old son found dead in Canyonlands National Park in apparent murder-suicide

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Colorado mom, 6-year-old son found dead in Canyonlands National Park in apparent murder-suicide

A Colorado woman and her 6-year-old son were found dead in Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah, this week in what appears to be a murder-suicide, law enforcement officials said.

Park rangers responded to a suspicious vehicle parked in a no-camping area near Shafer Trail in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, the San Juan County, Utah, Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Park rangers found an unresponsive 6-year-old boy in the vehicle and started life-saving measures, but the boy was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.

The woman was found dead outside of the vehicle.

Source link

Colorado

Battle with the Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Battle with the Blue Jackets | Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets (18-18-7) @ Colorado Avalanche (32-4-7)

2 p.m. MT | Ball Arena | Watch: Altitude, Altitude+ | Listen: Altitude Sports Radio (92.5 FM)

After a homestand-opening win on Thursday, the Avalanche hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets for Next Gen Night on Saturday. This is the second and final regular-season matchup between the teams in 2025-26, as the Avalanche defeated the Blue Jackets 4-1 in Columbus on October 16th.

A Big Night at Ball

Josh Manson recorded the first two-goal and four-point game of his career, along with a Gordie Howe hat trick, as the Avalanche defeated the Ottawa Senators 8-2 at Ball Arena on Thursday. Manson was one of five Avs to post at least three points on Thursday, alongside Nathan MacKinnon (1g/3a), Ross Colton (3a), Brock Nelson (2g/1a) and Cale Makar (1g/2a). Additionally, Brent Burns added a goal for Colorado while Scott Wedgewood stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced in net for the Avs. With the victory, the Avalanche extended its home win streak to 16 games.

At 10:11 of the first period, Manson opened the scoring with his third goal of the season via a shot from the point through traffic. MacKinnon doubled Colorado’s lead at 17:14 of the first period with his 36th goal of the season via a shot from the slot set up by Necas. The Avs took a 3-0 lead at 2:35 of the second period when Makar scored his 13th tally of the season via a left-circle shot after receiving a drop pass from MacKinnon. At 5:08 of the middle frame, Shane Pinto put the Senators on the board. The Senators momentarily made it 3-2 with 13:41 remaining in the second period, but the goal was disallowed after the Avs successfully challenged for offside. After the disallowed tally, the clock was reset to 13:48.

Necas gave the Avs a 4-1 lead on the power play at 11:46 of the second period with his 20th goal of the season via a sharp-angle one-timer from the bottom of the left circle set up by MacKinnon. At 12:03 of the middle frame, Burns made it 5-1 with his sixth goal of the season via a right-point shot through traffic. Nelson gave the Avs a 6-1 lead on a five-on-three power play at 14:23 of the second period with his 20th goal of the season via a right-circle one-timer set up by MacKinnon’s cross-ice feed. The Avalanche took a 7-1 lead at 16:48 of the middle frame when Manson scored his second goal of the game and fourth of the season via a one-timer from the point set up by Jack Drury’s feed. At 18:04 of the middle frame, Nelson scored his second tally of the game and 21st of the season via a right-circle one-timer set up by Ilya Solovyov’s feed from the left point. Brady Tkachuk made it 8-2 with a shorthanded goal from the doorstep at 7:03 of the third period.

Leading the Way

Nate the Great

MacKinnon leads the NHL in goals (36) and points (78) while ranking tied for third in assists (42).

All Hail Cale

Makar leads NHL defensemen in points (51) and assists (38) while ranking third in goals by blueliners (13). Among all NHL skaters, he’s seventh in assists.

Marty Party

Necas is seventh in the NHL in points (55) and tied for ninth in assists (35).

Series History

In 70 previous regular-season games against the Blue Jackets, the Avalanche has a record of 45-19-1-5.

Defeat on the Road

The Blue Jackets lost 5-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday. In the first period, Columbus took a 2-0 lead after goals from Boone Jenner at 8:24 and Kent Johnson at 10:41 before Reilly Smith put Vegas on the board at 12:20. The Golden Knights took a 4-2 lead after second-period goals from Smith at 5:19, Jack Eichel at 13:07 and Mark Stone on the power play at 18:44. Kirill Marchenko scored for the Blue Jackets to make it 4-3 at 14:28 of the third period before Brett Howden gave the Golden Knights a 5-3 lead at 16:14 of the final frame.

Contributors Against Columbus

MacKinnon has posted 26 points (7g/19a) in 22 games against the Blue Jackets.

In nine contests against Columbus, Makar has registered 17 points (6g/11a).

Necas has recorded 21 points (4g/17a) in 26 games against the Blue Jackets.

Producing Offense for Ohio’s Team

Zach Werenski leads the Blue Jackets in points (46) and assists (30) while ranking tied for first in goals (16).

Marchenko is tied for the team lead in goals (16) while ranking second in points (35) and tied for second in assists (19).

Dmitri Voronkov is third on the Blue Jackets in points (28) and goals (15).

A Numbers Game

30

Colorado’s 30 five-on-five goals since December 19th (10 games) are the most in the NHL during that span.

63

The Avalanche’s 63 second-period goals lead the NHL.

3.94

Colorado’s 3.94 goals per game since December 1st lead the NHL during that span.

Quote That Left a Mark

“It was fun. I don’t think he’s ever seen that before. He’s seen me fight. He’s maybe seen me score. But I don’t think he’s ever seen—actually, nobody’s ever seen that before out of me in the NHL. So, it was a first for everybody, including myself.”

— Josh Manson on recording a Gordie Howe hat trick with his father, former NHLer Dave Manson, in attendance

Source link