The Colorado Civil Rights Division has ruled in favor of Coy Mathis, a transgender 6-year-old girl who was was barred from using the girls’ bathroom at Eagleside Elementary School in Fountain.

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund said Sunday it would a hold a news conference on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol at noon Monday to explain the decision.

“Schools should not discriminate against their students, and we are thrilled that Coy can return to school and put this behind her,” Kathryn Mathis, Coy’s mother, said in a statement. “All we ever wanted was for Coy’s school to treat her the same as other little girls. We are extremely happy that she now will be treated equally.

The Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 told Coy’s parents in December that the first-grader would not be able to continue to use the girls’ restroom after the holiday break.

The family filed a civil rights complaint in February.

“This ruling sends a loud and clear message that transgender students may not be targeted for discrimination and that they must be treated equally in school,” said the funds’ executive director Michael Silverman stated. “It is a victory for Coy and a triumph for fairness.”

Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174, jbunch@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joeybunch