January 1, Colorado Med School Pays Millions Over Vaccine Mandate

Wyatt’s Take

• University of Colorado Anschutz paid $10.3 million after losing a lawsuit over forced COVID shots.
• Court ruled school leaders broke Americans’ First Amendment rights by denying religious exemptions.
• Settlement forces school to stop prying into personal faith and treat all exemption requests fairly.

The University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine agreed to a historic payout of $10.3 million after the court found its vaccine mandate discriminated against students and workers seeking religious exemptions. Leaders at the school were held responsible for violating First Amendment rights, stripping them of legal protections and putting them on the hook personally.

“Drafting and implementing a policy hostile toward and discriminatory against certain religions, only to adopt a new, purportedly neutral policy that reached precisely the same results,” is how the 10th Circuit court described their actions.

The settlement includes damages, tuition refunds, and attorney fees for 18 plaintiffs. CU Anschutz must now allow religious accommodation requests from students and treat them the same as those for medical reasons. Plaintiffs say the school must also stop questioning the legitimacy of anyone’s religious beliefs.

Even after agreeing to pay, school officials still defend their former vaccine policy, claiming it was about science and public health and acting as if the shot could stop spread of the virus.

“While some chose to challenge the policy, the evidence remains clear: vaccination was essential to protecting the vulnerable, keeping hospitals open, and sustaining education and research,” the school stated without providing proof.

Heartland families watching government overreach should be encouraged that standing up for their beliefs and rights can make a real difference, even against big institutions.

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Wyatt Matters

This case proves that regular people can fight back and win when their rights are trampled. Holding schools and officials accountable protects freedoms every American values.