Colorado’s First Public Christian School Closes After Legal and Operational Challenges

Riverstone Academy, a school initially described as “Colorado’s first public Christian school,” has closed permanently after one school year marked by legal and operational challenges. The closure follows changes in state law that eliminated state funding for the institution, according to a legal filing by its executive director, Quin Friberg.

The school, which enrolled 30 students in Pueblo County, was launched with the intention of challenging state regulations through a potential religious liberty lawsuit. However, the initiative faced multiple obstacles, including safety concerns that led to a relocation and a $20,000 settlement with the parents of a young student. These issues contributed to the failure of the legal strategy that had been a central goal of the school’s founders.

Friberg’s legal filing, dated Thursday, states that the school will cease operations following the last day of classes last week. The filing is part of a broader legal context, including a lawsuit filed by three school board candidates against the Pueblo 70 school board, alleging violations of open meetings laws related to Riverstone’s establishment.

Another lawsuit, which had been the primary legal vehicle for the school’s founders, was filed in February. It alleged religious discrimination by the state, with the aim of challenging the legality of public funding for religiously affiliated schools. However, this case was also abandoned in May, as the school and its authorizer, a public education co-op based in Monument, decided to withdraw from the legal battle.

The closure of Riverstone Academy was ultimately influenced by legislative changes enacted in the final days of the spring legislative session. These amendments restricted co-ops like the one that authorized Riverstone from operating outside their member school districts and introduced other provisions that impacted the school’s viability.

The school’s creation was reportedly driven by a conservative law firm, Alliance Defending Freedom, which sought to initiate a parallel case to a similar one in Oklahoma. The firm had asked an education lawyer to explore legal avenues for challenging state regulations, but the effort did not achieve the intended outcome.

The closure of Riverstone Academy raises questions about the intersection of religious liberty, public education, and legal accountability. As the school’s founders sought to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the outcome underscores the challenges of aligning religious missions with public education frameworks. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, a call that remains relevant in the pursuit of justice and accountability.

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