U.S. DOE Finds Denver Public Schools Violated Title IX with All-Gender Bathrooms

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) under the Trump administration has found that Denver Public Schools (DPS) violated Title IX by converting a girls' restroom at East High School into an all-gender bathroom and by allowing students to use facilities based on their gender identity rather than biological sex. OCR stated that these actions create a hostile environment by endangering student safety, privacy, and dignity while denying equal educational opportunities. The district has been given 10 days to agree to a resolution, which includes converting all multi-stall restrooms back to single-sex facilities and rescinding policies permitting access based on gender identity, or face enforcement action. DPS officials have said they are reviewing the findings and determining next steps but have previously defended the all-gender restrooms as student-led and inclusive. Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor emphasized that while Denver may endorse gender ideology, it cannot accept federal funds if it violates Title IX. The investigation, initiated in January, marks one of the first Title IX cases targeting school policies on gender identity under the current administration.