Jeffco Public Schools faces Title IX investigation over transgender athlete dispute

Jefferson County (Jeffco) Public Schools in Colorado is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights following complaints regarding the participation of a transgender athlete on a girls’ junior varsity volleyball team at Dakota Ridge High School.

Parents allege that eight girls were cut from the roster while the transgender player was permitted to participate. Additionally, complaints suggest that varsity players were threatened with benching after discussing the situation with peers. One parent reported that players were allowed to continue playing only on the condition that they stop discussing the issue.

The Department of Education has given the district 10 days to voluntarily resolve the alleged Title IX violations or face enforcement action from the Department of Justice. This follows recent administrative shifts to restore specific Title IX regulations regarding sex-based athletic participation.

Separately, Colorado voters will consider the ‘Protect Women and Girls Sports Act’ on November 3, a ballot initiative that would require school athletic teams to be designated based on biological sex.