Federal judge temporarily blocks Colorado’s racial preferences in COVID relief

Denver; October 12, 2021: A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order today which prevents Colorado from discriminating on the basis of race in distributing COVID-relief grants.

“This decision is a major victory for equality before the law in Colorado,” said Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Wen Fa. “The government cannot disfavor individuals because of arbitrary racial distinctions, and that’s exactly what the government has done here. This restraining order will ensure that the doesn’t violate the constitutional rights of businessowners.”

Resort Meeting Source, an event-planning business, suffered revenue losses stemming from pandemic-related cancellations of large events. When owner Steve Collins applied for a grant under Colorado’s Disproportionately Impacted Business Grant program, he learned his business was less likely to obtain relief because the program establishes preferences for minority-owned businesses, and he is white.

Last week, Collins brought a lawsuit challenging the policies. The temporary restraining order will temporarily prevent the state from discriminating on the basis of race while the Court hears additional arguments.

The case is Collins v. Meyers, which is before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.