Dear Colorado Families, Educators, and Child Advocates,
A dangerous bill, HB26-1282, has been introduced in the Colorado General Assembly that would allow school districts to opt out of key regulations from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). This legislation aims to eliminate what it calls "duplicative" oversight for school district-operated preschool, before-school, and after-school programs. CDEC has made exception after exception for school districts to remove any duplicative oversight. School districts just want to remove themselves from the level of oversight that the child care industry experiences statewide. While the bill claims these rules overlap with those from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and other agencies, removing CDEC's standards could create gaps in child protection, putting our youngest students at risk.
Why This Bill is a Threat to Child Safety
HB26-1282 specifically exempts school district programs from CDEC rules on critical areas such as:
- Background checks for staff
- Staff training requirements
- Documentation protocols of student immunizations
- Staff supervision and attendance verification
- Playground equipment standards
- Reports on student injuries
- Required staff-to-child ratios in before- and after-school programs
- Indoor learning requirements
- Restrictions on flavored milks (e.g., chocolate milk)
Even if some regulations seem overlapping, CDEC's rules provide specialized, child-focused protections tailored to early childhood settings. School districts already face challenges in maintaining consistent safety standards, and stripping away this layer of accountability could lead to lower quality care, increased risks of neglect or harm, delayed staff hiring due to confusion, and reduced program access for families—without any proven benefits to students. The bill's own summary admits these changes are meant to cut administrative costs, but at what price to our children's well-being?
Colorado's children deserve the highest level of protection, not a rollback that prioritizes bureaucracy over safety. This bill could set a precedent for weakening oversight in other areas of child care, affecting thousands of families across the state.
Take Action Now: Write Letters and Emails Today! Ask your families to do the same!
We need your voice to stop HB26-1282 before it advances! Contact your state legislators, members of the House Education Committee, and the bill's sponsors to urge them to oppose this bill. Personal stories from parents, teachers, or community members about the importance of strong child care regulations can make a big impact.
How to Find and Contact Your Legislators:
- Use the official tool at https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator to identify your State Representative and Senator by entering your address.
Bill Sponsors to Contact:
- Rep. Jacque Phillips (D-District 31, House Sponsor): [email protected] | Phone: 303-866-2918
- Rep. Lori Goldstein (D-District 29, House Sponsor): [email protected] | Phone: 303-866-2843
- Sen. Kyle Mullica (D-District 24, Senate Sponsor): [email protected] | Phone: 303-866-4451
House Education Committee Members to Contact: This is the first committee reviewing the bill. Focus on the Chair, Vice Chair, and any members from your area. Emails follow the format [email protected] (e.g., [email protected]). You can also call the Capitol switchboard at 303-866-2904 to be connected.
- Chair: Rep. Meghan Lukens (D-Steamboat Springs): [email protected]
- Vice Chair: Rep. Matthew Martinez (D-Monte Vista): [email protected]
- Rep. Eliza Hamrick (D-Centennial): [email protected]
- Rep. Jacque Phillips (D-Thornton): [email protected]
- Rep. Jennifer Bacon (D-Denver): [email protected]
- Rep. Katie Stewart (D-Durango): [email protected]
- Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist (D-Denver): [email protected]
- Rep. Tammy Story (D-Conifer): [email protected]
- Rep. Lori Garcia Sander (R-Eaton, Ranking Member): [email protected]
- Rep. Mary Bradfield (R-Colorado Springs): [email protected]
- Rep. Ava Flanell (R-Colorado Springs): [email protected]
(Note: The committee has 13 members [8 Democrats, 5 Republicans]. If additional Republican members are assigned, check the official committee page at https://leg.colorado.gov/committees/education/2026-regular-session for updates.)
Senate Education Committee Members (If the Bill Advances to the Senate): Emails follow the format [email protected].
- Chair: Sen. Chris Kolker (D-Centennial): [email protected]
- Vice Chair: Sen. Janice Marchman (D-Loveland): [email protected]
- Sen. Cathy Kipp (D-Fort Collins): [email protected]
- Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D-Commerce City): [email protected]
- Sen. Scott Bright (R-Platteville): [email protected]
- Sen. Lisa Frizell (R-Castle Rock): [email protected]
- Sen. Janice Rich (R-Grand Junction): [email protected]
Sample Letter/Email Template
Subject: Oppose HB26-1282 – Protect Child Safety in School District Programs
Dear [Legislator's Name/Committee Member],
I am writing as a [parent/educator/resident of your district/concerned Coloradan] to strongly oppose HB26-1282, which would exempt school district child care centers from essential CDEC regulations. These rules ensure vital protections for children's health and safety, including background checks, training, and inspections. Removing them, even if deemed duplicative, risks creating loopholes that could harm our kids.
[Add a personal story or reason, e.g., "As a parent, I rely on these programs and believe double protections are better than none."]
Please vote NO on HB26-1282 and prioritize child safety over administrative convenience. SB26-020 creates a task force that is going to work on safe de-regulation of the industry. School district issues can be addressed through this task force and for ALL providers industry wide.
Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Email/Phone] [Your District, if applicable]
Share This Alert! Forward to friends, post on social media, and encourage others to act. Track the bill's status at https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb26-1282. Together, we can safeguard Colorado's children!
Testify for Thursday's hering-- Sign up here and testify virtually or in person. Let your voice be heard. No more advantages for school districts. Keep our children safe. https://sites.coleg.gov/public-testimony/sign-up-to-testify/step-1
ECEA Members Minute (click here)
Member's ONLY content this week. If you click on the title and can't access the content below reach out to Dawn for support.
- Legislative Summary
- We will send out a members only update later this week!
Join ECEA Now and Make a Difference!
Centers: For $25 a month ($35 for Plus, $55 for Pro)
Homes/SACCs: For $8 a month unless you choose to join at a higher tier.
Responses