Colorado Supreme Court Dismisses Baker's Case on Procedural Grounds

The court avoided ruling on the constitutional question of free speech in the case involving a Christian baker's refusal to make a cake for a transgender woman.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to dismiss the lawsuit against Jack Phillips, citing procedural errors by the plaintiff, Autumn Scardina.
The court did not address whether Phillips' refusal to bake the cake was protected under the First Amendment, focusing instead on the procedural missteps.
Scardina had not exhausted her options in the appellate court before filing the lawsuit, which led to the dismissal.
Phillips had previously been involved in a similar high-profile case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in his favor on narrow grounds.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between anti-discrimination laws and religious freedom claims in public accommodations.