Colorado Gov. Jared Polis emphasized the freedom of religious expression and the importance of protecting it in a speech at an event celebrating Colorado Religious Freedom Day at the state Capitol Thursday morning.

The event included seven speakers who highlighted fostering diversity and coexistence with an open exchange of ideas, amid heightened political differences that often pit Americans against each other.

“Freedom of religion or freedom of worship without fear of retribution is one of the founding principles of our country,” Polis said. “It’s an important part of who we are as Americans, as Coloradans. We proudly embrace people from every religion, no religion and every walk of life here.”

Polis also presented a state proclamation, denoting April 10, 2025 as “Religious Freedom Day” and encouraging residents to “seek common ground” and respect each other’s “rights and concerns.”

Also speaking at the event were Craig McIlroy from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Colorado Sen. Iman Jodeh, Centennial Institute Director Greg Schaller, Institute for Racial Equality & Excellence President & CEO Rosemarie Allen, Attorney General Phil Weiser, Denver Seminary President Mark Husbands and Del Phillips of the House Worship Center.

Schaller, who just started in his role as director of the conservative Centennial Institute on Jan. 2, said he is encouraged after hearing state leaders emphasize the importance of recognizing and protecting religious freedoms, citing a specific legislation at the state Capitol.

“The House bill that was passed and is now before the Senate concerning transgender people, misgendering, deadnaming and the like, we believe that crosses a line of religious liberty, parental rights and freedom of expression,” Schaller said. “I think if they look closely at that bill right now, they would have to say that it’s in violation of fundamental First Amendment protections.”

House Bill 1312 seeks to penalize “deadnaming” and “misgendering” as discriminatory actions and to mandate the courts to include such claims in determining the allocation of parenting time in custody cases.

It implicates parenting responsibilities, notably when they are in dispute over a child’s gender transition, as well as schools. Additionally, the bill compels “publishers” to use a person’s chosen name when asked. Under the proposal, refusing to comply is evidence of the intent to discriminate.

Broadly speaking, “misgendering” means not using an individual’s preferred pronoun or honorific, while “deadnaming” refers to using transgender persons’ birth names, instead of their preferred names.

Courts must consider whether parents ‘deadname’ or ‘misgender’ child in custody cases under Colorado bill

“This is not meant to be partisan because I’ve seen people on the right do the same thing of ignoring First Amendment protections in pursuit of their own political agenda,” Schaller added. “We have to be very, very careful of not encroaching upon First Amendment protections, regardless of our political views.”