Colorado Legislative Session Wrap-Up

Statement

(COLORADO) – Colorado’s legislative session delivered meaningful victories for children and working families, from stronger child care support to expanded food access, but the state’s worsening budget outlook puts those gains at risk. 

Coalition partners, advocates, volunteers, and communities across Colorado helped secure important wins for children and working families this year, including: 

• Expanded access to healthy meals for kids in schools and strengthened food assistance for working families 

• Improved stability in the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, helping reduce barriers for working parents who rely on child care to stay employed or continue their education 

• Renewed tax credits that support child care providers and help working families make ends meet 

• Increased funding for Universal Pre-K, helping more children get a strong start 

“When families can afford child care, put healthy food on the table, and access early learning opportunities, children have a stronger chance to thrive,” said Ana Bustamante, Colorado State Manager for Save the Children Action Network, “but we also know these wins are happening during a time of serious budget pressure for our state. Too many families are already struggling, and we cannot afford to move backward on the progress we’ve made.” 

Colorado’s child care system is under enormous strain. Colorado is one of the most expensive states in the nation for child care, with center-based care for infants and toddlers costing families nearly $20,000 a year. For the many Colorado families who are already struggling to make ends meet, affording care is increasingly out of reach. Even if families can afford it, the majority of Coloradans live in areas where the demand for services is greater than the number of available seats. 

That’s why SCAN is working alongside the Protect Colorado’s Future campaign to get the Graduated Income Tax on the ballot this fall. 

Under the proposed Graduated Income Tax, 97% of Coloradans will pay less income tax, the top 3% will pay a little more, raising an estimated $2 billion for child care, schools, and healthcare. 

“If we want to protect and build on these gains, Colorado needs a more sustainable way to invest in children and families,” Bustamante added. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, and that requires lasting solutions, not temporary fixes.“

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Contact: Melissa Taveras, Senior Advisor External Relations and Public Affairs at mtaveras@savechildren.org.

Save the Children Action Network advocates programs that benefit children and hardworking families, both in the United States and globally. We work with leaders on both sides of the aisle to protect and strengthen investments in children, ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, has the chance to reach their full potential. 

Learn more about SCAN here: https://savethechildrenactionnetwork.org/