I taught preschool in La Plata County for more than 10 years. During that time, I witnessed how quality early learning transformed the trajectory of children and helped their families thrive.
Now, as an assistant director of the Durango Early Learning Center, I oversee child care wait lists that run more than two years. Therefore, I truly understand the importance of child care.
In our county, and in other counties across Colorado, families cannot access quality child care. The reason for this is twofold.
First, the average cost of child and infant care in Colorado is higher than the annual cost of in-state college tuition.
Second, 51 percent of people in Colorado live in a child care desert.
The fact that working families are facing higher child care costs and a deficit of licensed child care slots across the state is alarming.
Sens. Dan Sullivan and Amy Klobuchar joined Reps. Collin Peterson and Jaime Herrera Beutler to introduce the Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act. This legislation will expand access to quality child care, ensuring that more parents can enter or remain in the workforce.
Child care deserts are harming our children and limiting Colorado’s potential for economic growth. I urge Colorado Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennett to join those already fighting for young families and children in Congress and co-sponsor the Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act.
Our children’s futures depend on it.
Stephanie MilnerDurango
