Colorado Legislative Session Ends with Wins for Young Kids

“We celebrate the Colorado legislature’s continued commitment to young children. Legislation passed this session will serve to grow and strengthen the early childhood education and care sector across our state,” said Annalise Romoser, advisor for state and electoral campaigns, West, at Save the Children Action Network.

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2023) – Save the Children Action Network, the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, is excited by what the Colorado legislature accomplished for kids during this year’s session, which ended on May 9th.

Among the legislation that policymakers passed was the Continuation of the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCTC), an essential tool to secure contributions to early childhood programs. Childcare providers rely on donations incentivized by the CCTC to fund their core programs, increase wages, expand their capacity, and provide professional training for staff. These investments help ensure that children have quality and enriching early learning experiences.

State lawmakers also passed Proposition EE Funding Retention Rate Reduction, legislation that refers voters to a crucial early education measure in November 2023. This allows Coloradans to vote to retain millions of dollars, which will contribute to the state’s Universal Preschool Program.

To build on investments made in Universal Preschool, state legislators passed legislation to support its rollout in Fall 2023 and strengthen the Department of Early Childhood, as well as make other important investments in early childhood through the state budget. Additionally, by approving funding for the translation of Individual Education Plans for students, legislators ensured that families across the state will be better able to engage with their children’s education.

“We celebrate the Colorado legislature’s continued commitment to young children. Legislation passed this session will serve to grow and strengthen the early childhood education and care sector across our state,” said Annalise Romoser, advisor for state and electoral campaigns, West, at Save the Children Action Network.

Save the Children Action Network will continue working with advocates and policymakers to help ensure all children have the early learning opportunities necessary to thrive in school and life.

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