The proposed Infant/Toddler Initiative, which several foundations planned to support, will not appear on the 2026 ballot. Instead, resources will be reallocated to community education efforts focused on the importance of public funding for child care.

Many child care programs are reporting challenges in recruiting children, with enrollment numbers declining for a significant portion, though not universally. MANY programs are closing statewide due to the shortages of children.

Contributing factors to these enrollment declines include, but are not limited to:

• Expansions to the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program under 2025 statutory updates, which provide an additional three months of leave before starting infant child care for families experiencing difficult pregnancies or with newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). While this offers valuable support to families, it has created challenges for child care providers.
• Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) implementation—we know that last year school districts had more than 6,284 more children than they did when CO had CPP.
• Ongoing policy developments that established a field of dreams of new programs and services, along with industry benchmarks, without corresponding funding for ongoing maintenance.
• Broader trends in declining birth rates.

These developments have placed significant operational pressures on the child care sector, particularly in the last five years, and have contributed to increased costs across programs.

Public messaging emphasizing the high cost of child care has also influenced parental decision-making, prompting exploration of alternative options. A decade ago, costs were high but more families were able to participate. Key changes include investments in quality improvements and expansive policy initiatives, which have raised operational expenses. Then every advocate out there screams, "Parents can't afford childcare." Everyone is shocked when parents believe them! Additional factors include escalating insurance premiums and the impact of compliance citations on insurance rates as well as increasing property taxes.

The Early Childhood Education Association (ECEA) is collaborating with legislators to ensure safety while reducing administrative and provider burdens. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) and ECEA are working together to explore administrative adjustments that support program sustainability, ease operational pressures, and maintain child safety standards. Further updates on these efforts will be shared soon.