Federal civil rights investigation opened into Cherry Creek School District

U.S. Department of Education Opens Civil Rights Investigations into Cherry Creek School District Following CPAN Complaints

AURORA, Colo. — The Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN) announced today that the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened investigations into Cherry Creek School District after reviewing two Title VI complaints filed by CPAN alleging race-based discrimination affecting students, families, and educators.

In a letter received June 8, 2026, OCR notified CPAN that it had reviewed the complaints filed on February 18, 2025, and June 2, 2025, and "has decided to open the complaints for investigation." The first complaint alleges that Cherry Creek School District requires educators to participate in a professional development program that encourages participants to view themselves and others primarily through the lens of race, promotes concepts such as racial privilege and collective racial identity, and pressures employees to adopt a race-conscious ideological framework that CPAN alleges is divisive, discriminatory, and inconsistent with the principle of equal treatment under the law.

The second complaint alleges that Cherry Creek School District's Voices of Color Committee provides parents and guardians of students of color with direct access to district administrators and leadership opportunities that are not equally available to all families regardless of race. CPAN alleges that this race-based preferential access creates a two-tiered system of parental engagement, where some families are afforded special opportunities to engage district leadership and influence decision-making that are not equally available to all families regardless of race.

CPAN submitted these complaints after receiving reports from teachers, students, parents, and community members through its Incident Reporting Tool and conducting an extensive review of publicly available materials, district documents, and records obtained through Colorado Open Records Act requests.

“The promise of America is that we are judged by our character, not the color of our skin. We filed these complaints because we believe schools should unite children, not divide them by race. Every student, every family, and every educator deserves equal treatment, equal opportunity, and equal dignity," said Lori Gimelshteyn, Executive Director of CPAN.

Over the course of CPAN's investigation, teachers reported feeling unable to express concerns or disagreement with district-sponsored racial equity training for fear of professional consequences. Students and families raised concerns that race-based concepts were being introduced into classrooms in ways that discouraged open discussion

and left some students feeling pressured to agree with particular viewpoints. Parents also expressed concerns that district-sponsored committees and programs appeared to provide different opportunities for participation and access based on race.

CPAN is deeply grateful to the teachers, students, parents, district employees, and community members who courageously came forward and trusted CPAN with their concerns.

"These investigations would not have been possible without the individuals who were willing to speak up," said Gimelshteyn. "Many shared their experiences quietly and at great personal risk. We are grateful for their courage, and we remain committed to ensuring that every student, family, and educator is treated equally under the law."

OCR emphasized that opening an investigation does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing. The agency stated that it will gather and analyze evidence to determine whether Cherry Creek School District has complied with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin by recipients of federal financial assistance.

CPAN looks forward to cooperating fully with OCR's investigation and remains committed to restoring the parents' voice, promoting transparency and accountability, and ensuring equal treatment for all students, educators, and families.

Members Contact :

Lori Gimelshteyn, Executive Director Colorado Parent Advocacy Network [email protected]