Colorado High Court Orders Children's Hospital To Resume Trans Youth Care
The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday, May 18, 2026, ordered Children's Hospital Colorado to resume gender transition treatments for minors, finding the hospital's pause caused immediate harm to patients.[1]
The court voted 5-2, and Justice William Hood III wrote the opinion.[1] Hood wrote that the immediate and irreparable harm to the petitioners outweighed the speculative harm the hospital might face from potential federal action.[1]
Children's Hospital Colorado had paused puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients under 18 after a December 2025 Health and Human Services declaration warned Medicaid funding could be cut.[1] Four transgender minors sued, saying the halt violated Colorado's anti-discrimination law by denying care based on gender identity while similar treatments remained available to other minors.[1]
A separate March 2026 ruling by U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai found HHS likely exceeded its authority and granted preliminary relief to providers, a decision cited during the state high court's consideration.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that Children’s Hospital Colorado must resume gender transition treatments for minors.
- The hospital had paused puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients under 18 after a December 2025 HHS declaration warning Medicaid funding could be cut.
- Four transgender minors sued, alleging the halt violated Colorado’s anti-discrimination law by denying treatments based on gender identity while similar care remained available to other minors.
- Justice William Hood III wrote that immediate and irreparable harm to the petitioners outweighs the speculative harm the hospital might face from potential federal action.
- A separate March 2026 ruling by U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai found HHS likely exceeded its authority in issuing the declaration and granted preliminary relief to providers.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time