As a third-generation La Plata County native, I’ve always cherished this place. It’s where my family put down roots, where I grew up and where I’ve chosen to raise my own children. But for too many of us, the reality of raising a family here is growing more difficult by the day. We face impossible choices – ones that no parent should have to make.
When my twins were little, I found myself in one of those impossible situations. As an early childhood educator, I understood the importance of quality care and the lasting impact it has on a child’s development. But even with my experience and knowledge, I couldn’t find an affordable, high-quality option for my own kids. It was a gut-wrenching situation, knowing that while I cared for other people’s children, my own were placed in a home setting where the standards were far from what I would want for them. Smoking was allowed inside, the environment wasn’t safe, and there was little opportunity for my children to learn or grow in the ways I knew they could. But what choice did I have?
Every parent deserves to know that their child is in a safe, enriching environment. Yet, for countless families in La Plata County, this isn’t a reality. We’re forced to sacrifice our peace of mind, constantly wondering if our children are safe and cared for as they should be. The mental and emotional toll this takes on parents is enormous. How can we focus on work or on providing for our families when our minds are consumed with worry for our children’s well-being?
On top of the toll on parents, children are the ones who ultimately lose. Early childhood is a crucial time for development, a foundation for learning that affects the rest of their lives. But without accessible, high-quality child care, too many of our kids are missing out on these opportunities. They’re not receiving the foundational education and social experiences they deserve, and we are, in effect, stifling their potential before they even get started.
Ballot Issue 1A gives us an opportunity to change this, without raising taxes. It’s a chance to invest in our community, to build support systems that allow families to thrive rather than just get by. A “yes” vote means support for essential services like child care and housing assistance that are lifelines for so many in La Plata County.
Tiffany Chacon, a mother of twins and early education consultant, is dedicated to supporting accessible and equitable child care solutions in our community. She lives in Ignacio.
Ed note: As this question pertains to the county lodgers tax, it will be determined by voters outside Durango city limits. The city of Durango has its own separate lodgers tax.
