America First Legal Takes Action: Files Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against Colorado State University Over Controversial DEI Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) has taken a stand against Colorado State University (CSU) by filing a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. The complaint focuses on CSU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, claiming they breach the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a key Executive Order issued by former President Donald Trump.

CSU’s president, Amy Parsons, stated that the university complies with federal law. However, critics argue that CSU has merely changed the names of its DEI programs to avoid scrutiny while still implementing discriminatory practices. For example, the Office of Inclusive Excellence has altered its website to hide policies that some consider illegal.

The AFL’s complaint outlines specific DEI initiatives that they believe violate federal law, such as:

• CSU’s “Faculty Recruitment Toolkit,” which encourages integrating DEI principles in faculty hiring.
• Scholarships based on students’ “immutable characteristics,” like race and sex.
• The “All-University Core Curriculum,” which requires credits in courses focused on race and social justice.
• A Bias Reporting System that could suppress free speech by encouraging student reports of perceived bias.

These practices raise significant legal concerns, especially since CSU benefits from federal funds while allegedly violating established laws. Nick Barry, Senior Counsel at AFL, emphasized that “hiding” discrimination isn’t a solution; it needs to stop entirely. Failing to comply could jeopardize a substantial portion of CSU’s budget.

In recent discussions around campus policies nationwide, many institutions are facing scrutiny over DEI initiatives. A survey from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression found that 68% of college students feel that their campus culture stifles free speech. This trend highlights a broader concern about the balance between promoting inclusivity and protecting individual rights.

AFL continues its mission to challenge discriminatory policies in education and to uphold constitutional rights. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate about how universities navigate diversity and inclusion while respecting all students’ rights.

For more details, you can read the AFL’s letter to the Department of Education here and the letter to Colorado State University here.

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