Early Childhood
Colorado ranks third in the nation, after Washington, D.C. and Vermont, for the share of 4-year-olds served in its state-funded preschool program.
After weeks of uncertainty, lawmakers approve $2.9 million for the program as part of the “long bill.”
Some of the rules won’t be fully in place for more than two years.
One of the bill sponsors said she may try again in future years.
‘If we could punish the department without hurting kids, man oh man, would I be on board with that,’ said one lawmaker.
The current version of the legislation is a far cry from what bill sponsors envisioned.
Bill sponsors originally proposed capping child care waitlists fees at $25, but that provision was eliminated.
One part of the bill addressed hotly contested rules about preschool class sizes and staff-student ratios.
Members of the Joint Budget Committee expressed frustration that state early childhood leaders hadn’t alerted them to budget problems earlier.
The cuts are set to take effect Monday.
Amendments approved Tuesday removed or reshaped several original provisions of the bill.
Around 170 Colorado child care centers are owned or backed by private equity firms.
The family affordability fax credit is available for the first time this year.
The window to apply is opening 2 months earlier than last year, and there are other changes.
Boosting enrollment in the state-funded preschool program is one of Colorado’s key goals.
Voters in about 15 Colorado communities have approved the use of lodging tax revenue for child care efforts.
New federal rules are making the program better for parents and providers, but they come with a hefty price tag.
A lawyer for the Catholic preschools at the center of the case said he was disappointed by the state’s plan to repeal the rule.
A 2022 state law allowed counties and local marketing districts to use lodging tax dollars for child care and housing — if voters approve.
Experts say the Colorado case over universal preschool — or one like it — could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.