Federal Court Strikes Down Colorado University’s ‘Unconstitutional’ COVID Vaccine Mandate

A federal court this month struck down the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate as unconstitutional. The ruling could affect similar cases, including a Children’s Health Defense (CHD) lawsuit against Rutgers University over its vaccine mandate.

In a 55-page ruling issued May 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit found that Anschutz’s vaccine mandate demonstrated “religious animus” — in violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment and Free Exercise clauses.

Anschutz enacted the mandate on Sept. 1, 2021, and amended it later that month. The 10th Circuit ruled that both versions were unconstitutional.

The mandate recognized religious exceptions but required applicants to overcome a series of hurdles, which the plaintiffs argued were unevenly applied.