Championing State-Church Separation in the Pikes Peak Region
Join our community to meet other FFRF members and protect church and state separation through community engagement, education, and advocacy in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado.
Connect Over Secular Ideas
Join us to support our cause and participate in social events.
About us
Get answers to your questions about the Pikes Peak Region chapter of FFRF.
What is FFRF Pikes Peak Region?
We are a chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation serving the Pikes Peak Region in southern Colorado. We are a Colorado non-profit and an IRS 501(c)(3) public charity. The chapter was formed in 2025.
What do we do?
We provide opportunities for FFRF members to meet and socialize, we provide education for the public and our members on topics related to state-church separation, plus we monitor the region for state-church violations in government and schools and take action when necessary.
How can I learn about chapter activities?
The best way to find out about activities and events is to follow us on Meetup. (See link under Events.) When you join the chapter, you will also receive a monthly email announcing upcoming activities.
Where are your events held?
Events take place at various venues around the Pikes Peak region.
How can I support your organization?
You can become a member and volunteer and you can also donate to help promote our cause locally.
Membership
Hear about our different types of memberships and how to join
Local members of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (the national organization) can opt-in to become voting members of this chapter.
Individuals in the region that are not members of the FFRF national organization are welcome to join the chapter as associate members.
To join, you can come to an event or you can send us a message. See our contact form below. There is no cost to join the chapter. (Of course, donations are welcome.)
Events
We aim to have a variety of regular events such as pub nights, coffees, speakers, and outdoor get-togethers.
The best way to find out about our upcoming event is to join our meetup group.
Photos from some of our events
Contact Us
Reach out to our board of directors to tell us you want to join, or to send a question or comment.
State-Church Violation Watch
Constitutional violations in Colorado that we are monitoring.
El Paso County Commission violates 1st Amendment
In May of 2026, the El Paso County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer and publicized it on the County’s official Facebook account. Both the resolution and Facebook post mention the theme “Glorify God among the nations – seeking Him in all generations” based on the verse “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the people.”, I Chronicles 16:24 NASB.
The Board’s promotion of the National Day of Prayer and proclamation needlessly marginalized and excluded residents who are among the 40% of Coloradans who
are religiously unaffiliated.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and FFRF Pikes Peak Region ask that the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, in order to respect the First Amendment rights of all community members, refrain from issuing religious proclamations or organizing, promoting, and participating in religious events in the future. In July of 2026, FFRF sent a letter to El Paso County Attorney, Kenneth R. Hodges, describing the violation and requesting a response.
Riverstone Academy fails at attempt to receive unconstitutional public funding of a religious school
Riverstone Academy permanently closed in mid-2026. When it opened in the Fall of 2026, it described itself as “the first public Christian school in Colorado,” and claimed to have a “right to public funding.” Riverstone Academy was “a K-5 public elementary school” that “blends strong academics with classical values, hands-on trade-based learning, and a Christian foundation to help students grow in both knowledge and character.” The Colorado Department of Education warned that publicly funding Riverstone Academy, a sectarian school, violates both the U.S. and Colorado constitutions.
Education ReEnvisioned BOCES (“ERBOCES”) opened the fully outsourced and privately contracted “public school” called Riverstone Academy in Pueblo but ERBOCES receives funding through School District 49 in El Paso County.
Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System notified of unconstitutional religious display
In November of 2025, FFRF notified the Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System of a constitutional violation occurring at the Garden of the Gods VA Clinic. A concerned veteran reported that the front desk of the VA clinic in Colorado Springs has a Bible calendar on display. The calendar shows different Bible verses each day.
FFRF requested that the facility investigate the situation and ensure that the unconstitutional religious display is removed or moved to a private location where it will not be visible to hospital patrons or visitors.
James Irwin Charter Middle School stopped from teaching creationism
A concerned parent reported that creationism was being introduced into the 8th grade science curriculum as indicated by an email sent from the school Science Lead to parents. James Irwin School is chartered by Colorado Springs School District 11.
FFRF sent a letter to the CEO of James Irwin Charter Schools. A review was conducted and determined that intelligent design had previously been taught as part of an 8th grade evolution unit, but the practice was immediately ceased. Furthermore, the charter school verified that intelligent design is not included in
science curriculum elsewhere in the network, a comprehensive review of lesson plans and instructional materials was conducted, and additional guidance and training was provided for school leaders and instructional staff regarding the appropriate handling of questions related to religion, creationism, or intelligent design when they arise in classroom discussions initiated by students.
Pueblo County Board of Commissioners Adopt Prayer Before Meetings
On March 18, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners passed Resolution 25-067 in a 2 to 1 vote approving a policy Regarding Legislative Prayer Before Meetings Of The Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners.
FFRF Pikes Peak Region is monitoring the county’s implementation of this policy and encourages citizens to apply to deliver a secular invocation to illustrate how prayer is unnecessary and not inclusive of all citizens.
Constitutional violations at a Golden charter school
Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado, a public charter school, invited Bradley J. Birzer to speak at its graduation ceremony on May 22, 2025. Birzer’s speech promoted his personal religious views and made references to Christianity. The graduation ceremony also took place in a church – Bethel Lutheran Church Windsor.
An FFRF staff attorney has written a letter to Chair Stephen Gilmartin, Ascent Colorado Governing Board, to request that Ascent Colorado Classical Schools (Ascent) investigate these matters and ensure that no future Ascent graduation ceremonies include school-sponsored religious messaging and promotion of religious beliefs. The letter also requested that Ascent ensures the school ceases holding graduation ceremonies at Bethel Lutheran Church Windsor and instead selects a secular facility in order to respect the diversity and constitutional rights of its students and their families.
In the letter to Ascent, FFRF outlined case law that supports the assertions that religious speeches at school-sponsored events are unconstitutional and holding a graduation ceremony in a church is unconstitutional.
Have you seen a possible state-church violation in a school or in your local government? Report it here:
https://ffrf.org/legal/report-church-state/