University of Denver Corporal Alleges Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment

Federal court denies partial dismissal of Title VII claims against campus safety department

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A Colorado federal district court has partially denied the University of Denver Department of Campus Safety's motion to dismiss a male corporal's claims of gender and race discrimination and hostile work environment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court found that the supervisor's discriminatory refusal to investigate the corporal's harassment complaint constituted an adverse employment action, and that the corporal plausibly alleged a hostile work environment based on pervasive discriminatory harassment from a female coworker.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about discrimination and hostile work environments, particularly in male-dominated fields like campus safety. The court's decision to allow the Title VII claims to proceed suggests the corporal has presented sufficient evidence to potentially prevail on his allegations of unlawful employment practices.

The details

According to the court's ruling, the male corporal alleged that a female coworker made weekly race and sex-based comments despite his requests for her to stop. The corporal also claimed his supervisor refused to investigate his harassment complaint, which the court found could constitute an adverse employment action under Title VII.

  • The alleged discriminatory and harassing conduct occurred over an unspecified period of time prior to the lawsuit being filed.

The players

University of Denver Department of Campus Safety

The defendant in the lawsuit, which is accused of gender and race discrimination and allowing a hostile work environment to exist.

Male Corporal

The plaintiff in the lawsuit, who has alleged Title VII violations against the campus safety department.

Female Coworker

An employee of the campus safety department who allegedly made weekly race and sex-based comments to the male corporal despite his requests for her to stop.

Supervisor

A campus safety department employee who allegedly refused to investigate the male corporal's harassment complaint, which the court found could constitute an adverse employment action.

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What’s next

The case will now proceed to further litigation, with the male corporal seeking to prove his Title VII claims against the University of Denver Department of Campus Safety.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of employers promptly and thoroughly investigating all harassment complaints, as a failure to do so can expose the organization to liability under federal anti-discrimination laws like Title VII.