Challenge: For years, Colorado’s early childhood programs have existed across multiple state agencies with various eligibility requirements and funding streams. This fragmentation has made it challenging for families and providers to navigate the programs and funding options, thereby limiting accessibility to quality early childhood education.

In 2020, Colorado voters passed Proposition EE to increase taxes on nicotine and vaping products with funds dedicated in part to make free preschool available to Colorado four year olds. In 2021, The Capstone Group worked on and the legislature passed HB21-1304, Early Childhood System. The legislation authorized a new department of early childhood with the aim of streamlining and improving access to early childhood programs. The department was charged with implementing a new universal preschool program to provide access to a range of high-quality preschool options, prioritizing full day free preschool for low-income families.

Strategy: On behalf of our clients, The Capstone Group worked hand in hand with the Governor’s Office to build a multi-year political and policy strategy to secure funding and pass legislation to establish the new state agency of early childhood and build out Colorado’s universal preschool program, creating avenues to blend federal, state, and county funding streams to cover the cost of full day preschool for low-income four year olds. Our work included creating robust processes for wide stakeholder engagement (including early childhood providers, various state agency staff, school districts, community organizations and counties), assisting in drafting language to meet goals, and working with legislative sponsors and leadership to successfully negotiate for passage of what ultimately became HB22-1295, Department Early Childhood And Universal Preschool Program.

Outcome: The Capstone Group successfully passed landmark legislation that aligns all early childhood and family support programs within the new Department of Early Childhood, orients programs towards an integrated and trauma-informed approach to support families, simplifies the application process for families by establishing a single point of entry, provides families with a mixed delivery system of early childhood providers and combines funding sources to prioritize free all day preschool for low income families.