If passed this November, Proposition EE would provide funding for all four-year-old children in Colorado to have access to voluntary preschool starting in 2023.

October 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Suzanne Arnold, [email protected], (609) 610-4957 (M)

Washington, D.C. (October 5, 2020) – Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) is proud to endorse Proposition EE in Colorado, a referred ballot measure that could provide unprecedented early learning opportunities for children throughout the state. Proposition EE proposes the first-ever tax on vaping products and a gradual increase on tobacco products in Colorado. The revenue from these proposed taxes would supplement the State Education Fund and allow for the creation of a universal preschool program by 2023. If passed, Colorado will provide free voluntary access to at least 10 hours per week of preschool to all Colorado four-year-olds.

“This is a historic opportunity that – paired with last year’s creation of a universal kindergarten program – makes Colorado a nationwide leader in early education. Colorado’s continued bipartisan commitment to ensuring kids are given the opportunity to thrive and succeed through education should be an example to all states,” said Mark Shriver, President of SCAN. “I applaud Governor Polis and the Colorado General Assembly for being such staunch proponents of this measure, ensuring it got a place on November’s ballot.”

Since the Colorado General Assembly passed this referred ballot measure in June, SCAN – together with its nearly 10,000 supporters in Colorado – has been working tirelessly to support the Proposition EE campaign through a financial contribution, in-kind contributions, ‘get out the vote’ activities, and various public education initiatives such as letters to the editor, opinion pieces and presentations to civic organizations and educational groups. Through ‘get out the vote’ efforts alone, SCAN has reached 10,000 Colorado voters.

“The dedicated commitment of our advocates in Colorado to get out the vote for kids is incredible. The momentum they’ve built is inspiring, and I’m excited to see it continue to grow over the next month,” continued Shriver. “I urge all Coloradans to vote ‘yes’ for Proposition EE. A ‘yes’ vote is a vote for kids and Colorado’s future.”

SCAN will continue to work with a broad, bi-partisan coalition of education and public health advocates to campaign for Proposition EE, educating voters on the vital importance of early childhood education and encouraging them to vote ‘yes’ in November.

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Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) was created in 2014 as the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, to be the political voice for kids. We work to ensure that the issues critical to children’s lives and futures are given top priority by our elected leaders, building bipartisan support to make sure every child has a strong start in life.