Advocates entered the 2020 legislative session with several significant bipartisan policy initiatives and budget proposals to advance early childhood. Despite progress on the early childhood workforce, expanded home visiting, and family support, the pandemic required a quick pivot. COVID-19 flipped Colorado’s promising budget forecast to a $3.3 billion deficit.
Advocates entered the 2020 legislative session with several significant bipartisan policy initiatives and budget proposals to advance early childhood. Despite progress on the early childhood workforce, expanded home visiting, and family support, the pandemic required a quick pivot. COVID-19 flipped Colorado’s promising budget forecast to a $3.3 billion deficit. Advocates still made incredible progress. One of Colorado’s greatest achievements may be additional funds for public schools and housing and expanded pre-k slots, resulting from a ballot measure that will phase in higher rates of taxation on tobacco products and a new tax on liquid nicotine.Advocates still made incredible progress. One of Colorado’s greatest achievements may be additional funds for public schools and housing and expanded pre-k slots, resulting from a ballot measure that will phase in higher rates of taxation on tobacco products and a new tax on liquid nicotine.