In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant advancements in funding early care and education, emphasizing the need for public investment in childcare services. The discussions highlighted a comprehensive approach that included cost modeling, case studies, and policy design aimed at addressing the challenges faced by families and educators in the community.

The team engaged in extensive research, utilizing case studies from local areas such as San Miguel and Summit Counties, as well as national initiatives like Pre-K 4 SA in San Antonio and efforts in Oregon. This research was instrumental in understanding effective funding strategies for early education.

Initial polling conducted in 2021 revealed strong community support for public funding to enhance childcare services, particularly during the pandemic when many families faced increased challenges. However, the team acknowledged that they needed more time to refine their proposals, leading to a pause in their efforts.

In 2022, the initiative regrouped and launched a public information campaign called Larimer Thrive by 5, which aimed to raise awareness and gather insights on the previous year's efforts. An external consultant was brought in to evaluate the 2021 initiative, providing valuable feedback on what strategies were effective and which were not.

By 2023, the team had revamped their policy design and outlined a clear plan for a proposed 0.25% sales tax initiative, projected to generate approximately $27 million annually. The proposed allocation of these funds includes about 50% directed towards tuition assistance for families, aiming to limit childcare costs to 10% of a family's annual income. Additionally, 30-40% of the funds would be invested in workforce development, providing subsidies for educators' salaries.

This initiative represents a significant step towards improving early care and education funding, reflecting the community's commitment to supporting families and enhancing the quality of childcare services.