This November, regional voters will decide whether or not to pass the Early Childhood Service District ballot measure proposed by the Confluence Early Childhood Education Coalition (CECE). If approved, it would become Colorado’s first special taxing district meant to improve access to early-childhood care and education — another is being explored on the Front Range, but won’t likely make the 2025 ballot. Following a successful judicial review in July, CECE launched its “Strong Start, Bright Future” (SSBF) campaign to promote the measure and connect with voters.
“We really believe sustainable funding is one of the critical pieces [of the] puzzle,” said Maggie Tiscornia, SSBF’s outreach coordinator.
Spanning Garfield, Pitkin and the southwest corner of Eagle County, the special district would implement a 0.25% sales tax on non-essential goods. Items excluded from the tax are things like groceries, gas, medicines, diapers, feminine hygiene products and other goods not taxed by the state. The tax could generate an estimated $10 million in annual revenue.
To maximize reach and address the region’s diverse socioeconomic needs, the funds would be flexible. Families with children under 5 could benefit from sliding-scale tuition assistance, while childcare providers would receive grants for expanding capacity (particularly for infant and toddler care), lowering tuition rates, improving quality of services or obtaining licensure and so forth. Additional funds would be used for the district’s operational needs and third-party accountability reviews.
Voters will also elect the special district’s five-person board of directors. Akin to a school board, the special district’s board would implement programs, determine policies and listen and adapt to the community’s needs. Nominations for the new board are due Aug. 22.
“I think the beauty of this being local, and these directors being voter-elected to represent these communities, is that we can directly advocate, have our voices heard and respond to the needs here,” said Tiscornia, “rather than at the state level.”
Community-wide challenge
From Parachute to Aspen, the need for high-quality, reliable and affordable childcare is increasingly prevalent. Noting that 90% of brain development happens from birth to 5 years old, Tiscornia said supporting these children will set them up for success and also benefit the communities where they live and play.
Currently, the region has 2,272 licensed childcare placements, but over 5,100 children under the age of 5. Faced with this challenge, many working parents have opted to reduce their work hours or leave the workforce entirely. Based on CECE’s data analysis, the lack of accessible childcare leads to an estimated regional loss of $50 million in annual revenue, earnings and productivity.
Families who have secured a spot face another challenge: tuition. The federal government recommends that 7% of household income goes toward childcare. In the Valley, families making the median household income with two young children are budgeting nearly 37% of their monthly income toward childcare. In some cases, this surpasses their monthly housing budget.
Ali Cottle, founder and director of the Thompson Schoolhouse and a CECE volunteer, said childcare funding is a systemic problem. Providers have to charge more to maintain their business and employees in an expensive area, and families struggle to afford the tuition.
“We just need money; that’s the big answer,” said Cottle. “This proposal is a way [visitors and second homeowners] can help build our small community.”
Sweeping support
Founded in 2017, CECE has been a leading voice in expanding access to childcare. When the ballot proposal was made public, it quickly garnered support from community leaders and organizations. The boards of county commissioners in each of the three counties unanimously supported the proposal, while former and current superintendents from Roaring Fork School District and Aspen School District have endorsed it. In May, CECE gathered over 1,000 registered voter signatures in support.
“One thing that really grabbed me about this campaign is that it is a nonpartisan group trying to do something good for so many families in our valley,” said Kassidy Birdsong, another CECE volunteer. She added that with the number of overwhelming challenges worldwide – from healthcare to food insecurity – opportunities for success can be limited. For her, this childcare tax is an actionable piece of the solution.
“Becoming a mom made me feel a sense of solidarity with other moms around the world and in my community,” said Birdsong. “I want to see parents and providers in my community thrive.”
Nominations for the Early Childhood Service District board of directors are open until Aug. 22. Visit www.strongstartbrightfuture.com to learn more about the ballot measure and board nominations.