COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Mandatory Bible studies have forced the loss of federal funding for two southern Colorado treatment centers.

The Gospel Shelter for Women centers in Colorado Springs provide transitional housing for homeless women, as well as women who may be mentally ill or struggling with addiction. Liza's Place and Hope Home are nonprofit shelters that have always listed themselves as faith-based.

However, mandated Bible studies held at the shelters make the treatment centers ineligible for federal funding. The shelters received funding in the past because officials believed the Bible studies were optional.

Despite the tough decision - to keep prayer or lose thousands of dollars in annual funding - the women of Liza's Place said they will keep the faith.

"They wanted me to get some of the Christianity out of the program, and we just couldn't do that," Marilyn Vyzourek, the founder and executive director of Liza's Place, said. "The meat of what we do here is the Bible studies."

Vyzourek said she learned about the funding cuts in September and was hit with another cut just a few weeks later, which erased a significant amount of the shelter's annual income.

"Between the two cuts, we've lost between $50,000 and $55,000 each year," she said. "That is about 25 percent of our income."

The shelter has felt the financial pinch over the past few weeks. They have cut counseling programs, had to give up one of the center's vehicles as well as lay off an employee.

"It is difficult, it hurts," Vyzourek said.

Yet as much as the losses have hurt, Vyzourek said choosing church over state was the right decision.

"The reason that I'm holding fast to this is because it is the best thing for the ladies," she said.

Vyzourek plans to seek additional funding from local sponsors as well as the community.

To learn more about the Gospel Shelters for Women and how to donate, click here.