Addressing Colorado’s Child Care Crisis: Unlocking Workforce Potential
Access to affordable, quality child care remains a significant challenge for Colorado families. This issue impacts not only parents but also the broader economy. An estimated 10,200 mothers in Colorado are currently sidelined from the labor force due to child care challenges.
To better understand the economic implications and explore potential solutions, we partnered with Common Sense Institute Colorado to examine how improving access to affordable child care could strengthen local workforces, drive growth and enhance long-term economic stability. Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) President and CEO Nicole Riehl recently joined Common Sense Institute Colorado’s Coors Economic Mobility Fellow Tamra Ryan, and Arvada Chamber Of Commerce President Kami Welch, to discuss new data showcasing the transformative benefits of expanding child care access for Colorado families.
Our analysis highlighted key areas of concern:
- Access
51% of Coloradans live in a child care desert.
There are 88,464 fewer licensed child care slots than the number of children under age 6 with parents in the workforce.
- Labor Force Participation
Mothers with children under age 6 are 15% less likely to participate in the workforce than mothers with older children.
If mothers with young children had the same participation rate as those with older children, 60,000 more moms could join Colorado’s labor force.
- Career Advancement
Nationwide, 71% of parents with children under 12 and 77% of parents with children under 5 reported career setbacks due to child care challenges (2018 data).
- Affordability
Colorado ranks 8th in the nation for the highest infant care costs, with the average annual cost being $15,325 per infant.
For an average family with an infant and a 4-year-old, child care expenses consume 38% of their annual income.
The Economic Impact
A return to the workforce by the more than 10,000 mothers currently sidelined due to child care barriers could generate an economic impact of $3.787 billion.
Solutions and Opportunities
While the challenges are considerable, so are the opportunities. By addressing child care issues, Colorado can unlock significant workforce potential and support economic growth. Explore the full report to learn how incentivizing child care workers and advancing legislative efforts can create meaningful support for Colorado families.
A robust child care ecosystem benefits families, businesses, and communities alike. Together, we can create a sustainable framework that supports working parents and secures Colorado’s economic future.
