The Situation
Larimer County is facing a crisis in access to quality early childhood care and education. What happens in the early years lays the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.
Importance of Early Childhood
85%
of brain development occurs before the age of 5.
Positive early experiences help foster
secure attachments, emotional regulation, and social skills, all of which are vital for a child’s overall health and well-being.
Access to Care
64%
of toddlers do not have access to a licensed child care slot.
11% of working parents have turned down a position due to a lack of child care, while 16% of employers have seen employees leave for child care reasons. Access matters.
The Impact
On Families
The average Larimer County family spends between 11–35% of their annual income on childcare for one child.
On Child Care Providers
In order to meaningfully increase educator salaries, programs would have to increase tuition rates by over 40%, which families cannot afford.
On Community
Care shortages in Larimer County have resulted in nearly $100 million lost in earnings, productivity, and revenue.
The Solution: Proposed Policy
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners have referred a ballot question to voters in November 2025 to:
Increase the county-wide sales & use tax by 0.25% (25 cents on a $100 purchase), which will generate an estimated $28M per year in revenue.
The measure includes a 20 year sunset provision and ensures a reserve fund is established (up to $5.6M/year)
Approximate amount to be distributed to offset the cost of tuition
Approximate amount invested into the early childhood workforce in Larimer County
Approximate amount invested into capital projects to increase the number of programs
FAQs
1B is a local funding measure to support a stronger, more successful Larimer County. It asks voters to approve a modest sales tax increase—just 25 pennies on a $100 purchase—that will generate roughly $28 million per year to ensure Larimer County kids can thrive. New revenue will be used to:
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Support early childhood teachers with wage increases and professional development,
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Reduce the cost of care for families with kids from birth to age five, and
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Improve quality and ensure more child care and preschool options are available in our community.
These investments will allow us to attract and retain teachers to our community and make Larimer County a more affordable and welcoming place for families to raise their kids.
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Measure 1B funding will make Larimer County a more affordable and welcoming place for families to raise their kids and allow us to attract and retain preschool and child care teachers to our community. New funding will:
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Support early childhood teachers with wage increases and professional development,
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Reduce the cost of care for families with kids from birth to age five, and
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Improve quality and ensure more child care and preschool options are available in our community.
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Child care and preschool help kids get the strong start they need to succeed in school and life, but in Larimer County these programs are too hard to find and too expensive for working families to afford.
Research has shown that ninety percent (90%) of a child’s brain develops by age five. Children with access to quality child care and preschool programs enter kindergarten prepared to learn, start reading earlier, graduate high school at higher rates and have better developed life skills like motivation, focus and confidence. But Larimer County families are facing a drastic shortage of preschool and child care. Approximately sixty percent (60%) of Larimer County children whose parents are working don’t have access to licensed care. Those that can find a spot pay dearly for it. In fact, child care can be a family’s largest expense, with the average full-day cost of care ranging from $12,000 - $16,000 a year per child.
Measure 1B was developed by a group of local parents, children’s advocates, educators, philanthropists and community leaders dedicated to making Larimer County a great place to raise a family. 1B has been endorsed by dozens of organizations and individuals, including:
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Several current and former local elected leaders
1B proposes a modest 0.25% sales tax increase—just 25 pennies on a $100 purchase—with everyday necessities, like groceries, gas, medicine and diapers, exempted from the tax. It will be administered through a partnership between the County government and a local nonprofit with more than 28 years of service to our community. The measure includes important accountability measures, including an annual independent audit and a sunset provision to ensure funds are used as intended.
Join the Movement to Support Families
Have questions or are interested in getting involved? Reach out via our form below to learn more about our campaign initiatives and what you can do today and when voting this November 2025.
