Starting Aug. 2, a Denver judge will hear arguments for and against a temporary halt to Douglas County’s voucher system pilot program.
District Court Judge Michael A. Martinez this morning set for Aug. 2-4 hearings on a request for an injunction to stop the voucher program.
The injunction was requested by attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union, Taxpayers for Public Education and other groups that are challengnig the school district’s program.
In March, the Douglas County school board voted to launch a pilot program that would allow up to 500 current public school students to receive around $4,500 in public money to attend private schools.
The district hopes to have the program, which would be the first of its kind in Colorado, operating when school starts in August.
But groups challenging the constitutionality of the program hope to stop it, at least temporarily, before school starts.
On Saturday, Martinez ruled the case should remain in Denver District Court, where it was filed.
In addition, the judge has combined what had been separate suits filed by the ACLU and the taxpayers’ group.
Karen Augé: 303-954-1733 or kauge@denverpost.com