Colorado accused of using taxpayer funds for youth gender transition programs

A report from the organization Do No Harm alleges that the state of Colorado uses taxpayer funds to promote gender ideology and medical transition resources to children. The report claims the state spends millions on government programs, social media campaigns, and medical school curricula aimed at encouraging children to identify as transgender.

One specific focus of the report is the “I Matter” program, which provides free mental health counseling to children at an estimated cost of $11 million annually. The report states the program includes a confidentiality waiver that allows children around age 12 to access services without parental consent. According to the findings, the program may refer patients to healthcare providers for medical treatments without parental knowledge.

Data cited in the report indicates that between 2021 and 2024, there were 12,896 total encounters with children through the program, with 469 categorized as “gender-affirming care.” Dr. Kurt Miceli, chief medical officer at Do No Harm, described the findings as a case study of how a “publicly funded network of Colorado organizations” is pushing resources toward vulnerable children.