DENVER — Colorado’s highest court has directed the state’s biggest children’s hospital to reinstate gender-affirming medical services for minors, overruling the facility’s decision to halt treatments amid concerns about potential federal funding cuts.
Children’s Hospital Colorado halted medical interventions for transgender youth under 18 years old this past January following what the institution described as a federal Health and Human Services Department probe into its treatment protocols. This action came during ongoing disputes between President Donald Trump’s administration and advocacy groups regarding transgender healthcare for young people.
Hospital officials released a statement indicating they are examining Monday’s judicial decision and weighing their response options. The facility had previously indicated it would maintain mental health services for minors while continuing medical care for patients between 18 and 21 years old.
A group of four transgender girls, ages 10 through 17, filed suit against the hospital through their legal guardians, claiming the institution violated state anti-discrimination statutes by denying them care based on both their gender identity and their medical condition of gender dysphoria. Medical professionals define gender dysphoria as the psychological distress experienced when an individual’s gender expression conflicts with their birth-assigned sex.
The young plaintiffs expressed concerns about losing access to medications and medical supervision needed to prevent puberty and the development of male physical characteristics. They also documented psychological consequences including depression and thoughts of suicide.
The state’s top court supported the girls’ position in a 5-2 decision, determining that ending services for minors violated state anti-discrimination statutes. Writing for the majority, Justice William Wood III stated, “We conclude that the actual immediate and irreparable harm to petitioners outweighs the speculative harm CHC may face if the federal government further acts against it.”
In his opposing view, Justice Brian Boatright argued the hospital’s choice wasn’t motivated by patients’ gender identity. Instead, he explained, “It was a decision driven by the direct threat to the viability of the entire hospital.”
A judge in Kansas reached a similar conclusion favoring transgender minors in a decision issued last week.
The Colorado facility’s TRUE Center, which specializes in gender-affirming treatments, operates as one of the nation’s most extensive programs and serves as the sole comprehensive care facility throughout the Rocky Mountain area, court documents indicate.
Children’s Hospital Colorado stated that HHS launched its investigation following Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s declaration characterizing treatments including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgical procedures as dangerous and ineffective for children and teenagers experiencing gender dysphoria.
A federal judge based in Oregon ruled in March that Kennedy’s declaration exceeded appropriate bounds, siding with Colorado and 20 additional states in that determination.
