First Amendment

Patrick McDonald | 7.22.2024 3:17 PM

A federal judge last week ruled that a Colorado church can continue offering temporary shelter to homeless people after the town of Castle Rock leveraged its zoning code to put a stop to the charity program.

In May, the Church of the Rock filed a lawsuit against the town, asserting that the town's prohibition of the shelter program violates both the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

The decision, handed down by Judge Daniel D. Domenico of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, concluded that the church would "suffer irreparable harm" and that their claim against Castle Rock "has a strong likelihood of success." The ruling will allow them to continue offering shelter during the duration of the suit.

Since 2018, the Church of the Rock has provided "RVs and/or trailers parked on its property" for homeless people to stay in, according to the church's complaint. A........

© Reason.com