New investments in childcare will boost small business workforce

In Colorado and across the nation, we’ve seen how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered virtually every aspect of our lives and our economy. While the changes have been especially hard on small businesses and families, we’re encouraged to see legislators making investments in our community through legislation such as HB22-1295. Colorado is poised to enact legislation that will create a universal preschool program in an effort to support small businesses, parents and children in particular.

The legislation will establish the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and the Universal Preschool Program, a high-quality department of early childhood services that will increase childcare affordability, which includes up to 10 hours a week of mixed-delivery universal preschool for children. This is a direct investment in childcare providers and small businesses, and also an investment in our future generations.

Additionally, a Small Business Majority survey found that 7 in 10 small business owners support measures to provide free preschool services. Investing in affordable childcare will not only benefit small childcare businesses, but will also ensure parents can fully participate in the workforce amid ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks and childcare challenges. Many small businesses are still struggling to find and retain qualified workers, and investing in childcare can help accomplish just that.

We encourage Colorado legislators to enact this legislation to further support our economic recovery efforts and the future of our children.