[Dallas, Texas] — [February 18, 2026] — National commentator and America’s Mom host Sherronna Bishop is raising concerns regarding free speech and parental rights following Colorado court proceedings connected to public discussions about a controversial custody-related matter originating in Western Colorado.
The matter gained attention following an interview broadcast on the America’s Mom program featuring parents Heather and Brett Fitzke, which addressed concerns regarding parental rights, youth gender identity issues, and community responses to those issues.
Following the broadcast, public criticism of Bishop and her program was issued online by Ashley Stahl, a transgender and activist who has publicly discussed advocacy efforts supporting transgender youth in local communities and appeared in national media conversations concerning gender transition and youth support.
Subsequently, court actions were filed in Garfield County, CO under Judge Amy Roth seeking restraining orders against Bishop that limit her ability to publicly discuss aspects of the situation.
Bishop asserts that the orders restrict commentary concerning matters she believes are of legitimate public concern, particularly regarding circumstances in which custody of a minor was altered through emergency legal proceedings initiated by private parties rather than through what Bishop describes as the more typical involvement of law enforcement or child protective authorities.
“To have your child taken by total strangers because you are a Christian and will not agree to the trans-gendering of your child is hard enough” said Bishop, “To be told by the court you cannot talk about it publicly is an outrage and unconstitutional.”
Court filings indicate an emergency protective order was requested based on sworn testimony presented to the court, not an actual investigation, which led to the Fitzke’s losing parental rights. Bishop and her supporters argue that the events have raised public questions regarding due process, jurisdiction, and parental rights protections.
“This situation has sparked legitimate public concern about how parental rights, emergency court authority, and youth advocacy intersect,” Bishop said. “The inability to openly discuss and have an opinion on a court action and those who initiated that action suppresses our first amendment protections. The fact that this case has resulted in a parent losing custody of their child, absent publicly known findings of abuse or neglect, should concern every Colorado parent.”
Bishop also notes that jurisdictional questions are under discussion, as she resides in Texas and comments publicly as a media commentator on matters involving individuals who have engaged in public advocacy and media appearances nationally.
Supporters argue that when individuals voluntarily enter public debate and advocacy roles, discussion of those issues becomes part of protected public discourse.
America’s Mom Media emphasizes that it does not support harassment or threats directed toward any party involved and encourages respectful public dialogue while advocating transparency in matters affecting families and parental rights.
“Families across America deserve transparency and the ability to discuss public policy decisions affecting children and parents,” Bishop added. “Open discussion is essential in a free society without the fear of judicial weaponization.”
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America’s Mom Media is a national platform focused on issues affecting American families, culture, and public policy through interviews, commentary, and community engagement.
