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
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.
