Provider Advocacy

ECEA and its lobbyist are powerful voices with the Colorado legislature and regulators. ECEA reviews more than 100 pieces of proposed legislation annually, and takes an active role in public policy.

The Early Care and Education Consortium is our national partner, lobbying Congress on behalf of early child care providers across the United States.

Located close to the Colorado State Capitol, we maintain constant contact with legislators and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor through our Executive Director, President, and professional lobbyist. We participate in numerous statewide committees in order to keep up-to-date and involved with various organizations and agencies that serve early childhood education.

ECEA works tirelessly to increase CCCAP reimbursement rates and to represent the private sector in discussions about universal pre-kindergarten, standards and outcomes for child care centers, professional development requirements for child care teachers, and licensing changes. We meet regularly with agencies such as licensing and health to discuss trends in violations and to learn about new rules and interpretations.

The Division of Child Care (DCC) has re-written the center rules. They have incorporated many of the ITERS/ECERS measurements into the rules, as well as other requirements, many of which may have an adverse effect on child care centers. ECEA is working on several fronts to mitigate the rules that may adversely affect providers.

A group of advocates and stakeholders is proposing a revised Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS ) for Colorado. Although many of the details are not available, one proposal would be for licensing to issue the quality ratings for the first two levels of a four-level system. This would include a rated license.