CHILD CARE IS ON THE BALLOT
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CHILD CARE IS ON THE BALLOT ✳︎
A Brighter Start for BoCo Children
We’re a community-led coalition working to make child care more affordable, expand access, and strengthen the early childhood workforce through a 2026 ballot measure.
Because a stronger, more equitable early childhood system that works for kids, families, and educators creates a stronger Boulder County.
Boulder County Has a Child Care Crisis
Annual child care exceeds $23,000 per child
Families spend months on waitlists
Educators & providers have 20-30% turnover
The Brighter Start Plan
Investment in high-priority areas for greater impact.
Lower child care costs
By supporting existing programs and establishing new tuition assistance programs, low- and middle-income families will have access to tuition assistance that will offset the cost of care.
Better teacher support
By investing in compensation, professional development, and workforce supports, we will retain skilled educators and provide more consistent, high-quality care for children.
A stronger Boulder County
By investing in infant and toddler program expansion and quality supports, we can better meet community demand.
Why Child Care Matters
90% of brain development happens during the first five years
This shapes the foundation for learning, behavior, and long-term success. Access to high-quality early care supports school readiness, stronger academic outcomes, and lifelong well-being.
Child care is essential economic infrastructure
Child care enables parents to work, supports businesses, and strengthens communities. Without child care, families, employers, and kids all face lasting impacts.
Every dollar for early childhood returns $7-13 to the community
Research shows that modest investments in child care and early childhood development lead to lower long-term public costs.
State and federal programs don’t cut it
While state and federal programs exist to support early care and education, such as Colorado’s UPK program, they leave significant gaps in infant/toddler care, affordability, and educator wages that only local investment can fill.