Colorado Mountain Resort Voters Approve Child Care Special District

ASPEN, Colorado — Voters in a Colorado mountain resort region have approved the state’s first early childhood special district, along with a sales tax increase to support child care efforts. The decision, based on early election results released Tuesday evening, marks a significant step for local child care funding.

The new district will encompass Garfield and Pitkin counties and a corner of Eagle County, covering what supporters term the Aspen-to-Parachute corridor. According to the proposed measures, families will benefit from increased financial support for child care, a rise in wages for child care workers, and enhancements to child care facilities.

Both ballot measures asked for a 0.25% sales tax increase, meaning residents would pay an additional 25 cents on every $100 spent. Notably, these taxes do not apply to essentials such as food, gas, diapers, or prescription drugs. The combined efforts entailed in these measures aim to raise millions for child care resources.

The initiative is part of a larger effort across Colorado, where a record number of funding proposals for child care are on the ballot. Seven rural counties, including Chaffee, Custer, Eagle, Gilpin, Hinsdale, Lincoln, and Ouray, are also voting on lodging taxes to generate additional funds for child care facilities.

Colorado lawmakers have made it easier for communities to propose local taxes for child care, as federal and state funding has declined. Local leaders are looking for solutions to meet pressing needs, including child care and housing.

The early childhood special district, which will be known as the Confluence Early Childhood Development Special Service District, represents the first application of a 2019 state law allowing such districts to be formed. Like fire or library districts, these early childhood districts enable multiple communities to collaborate and ask voters for taxes specifically allocated for early childhood services.

The anticipated sales tax revenue from the new district is estimated to be about $12 million annually, according to Maggie Tiscornia, outreach director for the campaign. This initiative stands out as a unique regional effort to support early childhood development.

In comparison, a similar tax measure in Larimer County, which is currently failing in early results, was projected to generate nearly $29 million each year. Christina Taylor, CEO of the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County, mentioned that part of the funds would assist families through sliding-scale child care subsidies.

Additionally, a portion of Larimer County’s funds would be allocated for quarterly wage supplements for child care employees, many of whom earn between $16 to $19 per hour. A smaller segment of the budget would support facility upgrades or expansions for providers.