JUST LIKE ROADS, BRIDGES, AND SCHOOLS, CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITIES
Advocating for Colorado is advocating for families.
Colorado’s child care costs are the 5th highest in the nation.
If we don’t value or invest in caregiving, it will remain inaccessible and unaffordable to most Coloradoans.
Let’s build a future where all families thrive — It’s time to invest in childcare, schools, and communities.
The Problem: What’s Holding Colorado Back?
Around 51% Percent of Colorado families compete with at least 3 other families for a spot in licensed childcare.
20K Is the average cost of childcare per year,per kid. That amounts to 14% of a married couple's median income and 41% of a single parent's income.
Approx. 60% of children under 5 are in the care of FFN Providers. Parents turn to grandparents, aunts, neighbors, and friends because licensed child care is either too expensive or unavailable when they need it. Yet, these caregivers receive little to no support.
TABOR is limiting access to essential services like child care, education, and healthcare, impacting the well-being of working families in Colorado.
Childcare It’s so expensive that parents are quitting jobs and staying home with their children. That’s particularly true for Latino and Black families and lower-income households.
It’s time to invest in childcare, schools, and communities.
What We Can Do for a Thriving Colorado
Invest in Childcare
Affordable, high-quality childcare is essential for working families and Colorado’s economy. By investing in childcare, we create opportunities for parents, support early learning, and strengthen our workforce.
Fix Our Tax System
Colorado’s outdated tax system prevents us from making the investments our communities need. TABOR limits funding for schools, childcare, and healthcare—even when we have the money. It’s time for a fair tax system that works for everyone.
Strengthen Communities
When we support families, businesses, and childcare providers, our communities thrive. A stronger Colorado means investing in resources that help families succeed and drive economic growth.
Colorado loses billions due to the child care crisis.
Every year, the lack of access to quality child care costs Colorado $2.7 billion in lost productivity, wages, and economic growth.
Child care providers earn less than almost any other profession.
The median annual wage for a child care provider in Colorado is $34,830—only 54% of the median earnings for other full-time workers in the state.
Child care is more expensive than college tuition.
In Colorado, the average annual cost of infant care is more than in-state college tuition at a public university—making it one of the biggest expenses for families.
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