Cherry Creek OCR investigation

CPAN Complaints Prompt Federal Civil Rights Investigation into Cherry Creek Schools

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into the Cherry Creek School District after CPAN filed complaints alleging racially discriminatory programming. CBS Colorado identified CPAN as the group responsible for raising the complaints, which were submitted in February and June 2026. The allegations include preferential access to district administration through a committee called Voices of Color, and a teacher training program that sorts individuals into “oppressors” and “oppressed” based on skin color. They also allege that teachers were required to consider race when assigning classes and providing academic support. CPAN Executive Director Lori Gimelshteyn, whose two children attended the district, said the complaints came from teachers and families of every race. OCR will determine whether the district violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The district said it strongly disagrees with how its programming was characterized.

Read on CBS Colorado