Colorado colleges face federal investigations for antisemitism and DEI
Two Colorado colleges are facing federal investigations, one for antisemitism and another for possible “race-exclusionary practices.”
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is one of 45 colleges across the nation that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating under Title VI's Civil Rights Act. No other Colorado college was on the list.
The department is looking into allegations that the university engaged in “race-exclusionary practices” by partnering with the The Ph.D. Project, an organization that the department stated limits eligibility for different opportunities “based on the race of participants.”
“The department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.”
© flickrcc - Alan Levine
This investigation comes as the U.S. Department of Education under President Donald Trump takes steps to address diversity, equity and inclusion policies at institutions of higher education around the nation.
In February, the department issued a statement directing all educational institutions receiving federal funds that they had 14 days to "cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline and beyond."
Failure to do so could ultimately lead to non-compliant schools losing their federal funding.
Colorado College is also facing a Title VI investigation from the department for allegations of antisemitism on campus.
This comes after the college received a failing grade on the recently updated Campus Antisemitism 2025 Report Card from the Anti-Defamation League, as previously reported by The Center Square
The league gave the college a “D” grade, finding the college’s response to antisemitism on campus “deficient.”
The investigation was officially opened on March 19, after the legal firm Holtzman Vogel filed a complaint alleging that the college did not “take the necessary measures to protect Jewish students from ongoing harassment and discrimination.”
No deadline was given for when the department might issue decisions on either of the investigations.
