COLORADO CHILDCARE SUPPORT PROGRAM
Erik Underwood for Governor – Helping Colorado Families Raise Their Children
“It truly takes a village to raise a child” – Erik Underwood
MY PERSONAL STORY
Coming from a single parent household (in three housing projects) where my mother had six children and two sets of twins, with me being the oldest, I saw firsthand how my mother struggled to get ahead without proper childcare. As a father of two young boys myself, I face the same issues that Colorado families deal with every day – the crushing cost of childcare that forces parents to choose between working and caring for their children.
No other candidate running for Governor has real solutions to the issues facing families. That’s what qualifies me to run for Governor and become Governor of this great State. This program represents the power of Coloradans acting as neighbors helping their fellow Coloradans, because it truly takes a village to raise a child.
THE COLORADO CHILDCARE CRISIS
The Challenge Colorado Families Face
Childcare costs in Colorado have reached crisis levels, with many families paying more for childcare than housing. Working parents – especially single mothers like my own mother was – face impossible choices between career advancement and ensuring their children are safe and cared for.
Current System Failures
- Limited subsidies for working families
- Long waiting lists for quality childcare
- Lack of background-checked, certified childcare providers
- No state database for parents to find reliable help
- Economic burden preventing parents from full workforce participation
THE UNDERWOOD PLAN: COLORADO NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR CHILDCARE FUND
Innovative Community Funding Mechanism
The Inspiration: I developed this idea after visiting department stores like TJ Maxx, Burlington Coat Factory, and other retailers. When you check out, clerks often ask if you’d like to donate $1.00 to the Boys and Girls Club, homeless shelters, or other causes. This gave me a powerful idea: What if we created a state optional program asking Colorado consumers for a one-time donation of 25 cents after each purchase to go toward a childcare fund?
Legislative Implementation: Through State Legislative action, we would ask all Colorado retailers to include this optional donation request at every checkout – whether it’s King Soopers, TJ Maxx, gas stations, or any store in Colorado.
Key Principle: This is completely optional. The consumer can choose to pay 25 cents extra on their total bill or not. No one is forced to participate.
PROGRAM FUNDING: DEFENSIBLE REVENUE PROJECTIONS
Colorado Retail Transaction Data
Conservative Revenue Calculations:
- Estimated Colorado retail transactions: 60 million annually (conservative estimate based on population and spending patterns)
- Participation rate: 45% (quarter participation rate, accounting for voluntary nature)
- Annual transactions with donations: 27 million
- Revenue per transaction: $0.25
- Annual program revenue: $6.75 million monthly / $81 million annually
Program Sustainability
This funding mechanism creates a sustainable, community-driven revenue stream that:
- Doesn’t burden taxpayers with new taxes
- Relies on voluntary community participation
- Scales with Colorado’s economic growth
- Builds community investment in childcare support
ELIGIBLE FAMILIES: INCOME-BASED SUPPORT
Colorado Household Income Data
Source: Colorado household income distribution:
- Very Low Income (under $20,000): 8.78%
- Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 7.30%
- Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 7.76%
- Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 14.66%
- Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 31.86%
- High Income ($150,000+): 29.64%
Program Eligibility
Household Income Limit: $250,000 annually
- Estimated eligible households: ~2.16 million (85% of 2.545 million total households)
- Families with childcare needs: ~650,000 families (estimated 30% of eligible households)
- Expected program participation: ~200,000 families
ELIGIBLE FAMILIES: INCOME-BASED SUPPORT
Maximum Monthly Benefit: $2,500
Income-Based Distribution:
- $50,000 household income: $2,500/month (full benefit)
- $75,000 household income: $2,200/month
- $100,000 household income: $1,900/month
- $150,000 household income: $1,400/month
- $200,000 household income: $900/month
- $250,000 household income: $400/month
- Over $250,000: Not eligible
Program Capacity with $81 Million Annual Funding
- Average monthly benefit: $405 per participating family
- Families receiving maximum $2,500: 32,400 families annually
- OR broader coverage: 200,000 families receiving average $405/month
- Strategic distribution: Prioritize higher benefits for lower-income families
Flexible Family Options
Nanny and Babysitter Sharing: Families can pool their state-funded resources together to hire shared childcare, maximizing the quality and affordability of care. Multiple families can combine their benefits to afford higher-quality providers or specialized care.
COLORADO CERTIFIED CHILDCARE PROVIDER PROGRAM
State Licensing and Certification System
Annual License Fee: $25 per year Requirements for State Certification:
- Background Check: Comprehensive state and federal criminal background screening
- First Aid Certification: Current first aid and CPR certification
- Annual Training: 3 hours per year of continuing education in:
- Child safety and emergency procedures
- Age-appropriate activities and development
- Recognizing signs of abuse or neglect
- Basic childcare best practices
State Database and Parent Resources
- Online Provider Directory: Searchable database of all certified providers
- Verification System: Parents can instantly check license status and background check results
- Review System: Parent feedback and ratings for providers
- Renewal Tracking: Automatic notification of license and training status
Economic Development for Providers
This program creates legitimate small business opportunities for:
- Stay-at-home parents seeking flexible income
- Experienced childcare workers offering independent services
- Retired teachers, nurses, and other qualified individuals
- Young adults seeking part-time work while attending college
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT
Department of Human Services Integration
- Existing Infrastructure: Leverage current childcare licensing and oversight systems
- Streamlined Application: Simple online application and approval process
- Fraud Prevention: Regular audits and verification of family income and provider credentials
- Customer Service: Dedicated helpline for families and providers
Quality Assurance
- Provider Standards: Regular training updates and license renewal requirements
- Family Support: Resources and guidance for selecting appropriate childcare
- Safety Protocols: Clear reporting mechanisms for concerns or incidents
- Continuous Improvement: Annual program evaluation and enhancement
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND BENEFITS
Family Economic Empowerment
- Workforce Participation: Parents can work full-time or pursue education/training
- Career Advancement: Reliable childcare enables professional growth
- Economic Multiplier: Increased family income generates broader economic activity
- Reduced Poverty: Childcare support helps families achieve economic stability
Small Business Development
- Provider Entrepreneurship: Creates legitimate business opportunities for childcare providers
- Local Economic Activity: Benefits stay within Colorado communities
- Job Creation: Both direct childcare jobs and supporting services
- Women’s Economic Empowerment: Particularly benefits women as both providers and recipients
Community Building
- Neighbor-to-Neighbor Support: Voluntary donations create community investment
- Shared Responsibility: Collective approach to supporting families
- Social Capital: Strengthened connections between families and providers
- Community Resilience: Local solutions for local challenges
COMPARISON TO NATIONAL APPROACHES
Why Colorado’s Approach is Superior
Most states rely on federal funding, tax credits, or government-funded programs that:
- Create dependency on government budgets
- Require complex bureaucratic administration
- Limit flexibility in provider selection
- Provide insufficient support for middle-income families
Colorado Advantage
Our community-funded approach:
- Sustainable: Not dependent on fluctuating government budgets
- Flexible: Families choose providers that work best for their needs
- Inclusive: Serves working families across income levels
- Community-Driven: Builds local investment in family success
- Economically Smart: Creates local jobs and economic activity
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Year 1: Foundation Building
- Legislative Passage: Secure bipartisan support for voluntary donation program
- System Development: Build online platform for families and providers
- Provider Recruitment: Launch certification program for childcare providers
- Pilot Program: Begin in select counties to test and refine systems
Year 2: Statewide Launch
- Retail Integration: Partner with major retailers to implement donation requests
- Full Rollout: Statewide availability for families and providers
- Community Education: Public awareness campaign about program benefits
- Quality Improvement: Continuous refinement based on early results
Year 3: Optimization
- Program Evaluation: Assess outcomes and impact on families
- Expansion Options: Consider additional services or benefit levels
- Best Practices: Document successful approaches for other states
- Long-term Sustainability: Ensure continued community support and participation
DEFENDING THE PROGRAM
Against Conservative Criticism:
- Not a tax: Completely voluntary donations
- Pro-family: Supports parental choice and responsibility
- Economic development: Creates jobs and business opportunities
- Community-driven: Local solutions, not government mandates
Against Liberal Criticism:
- Insufficient funding: Demonstrates commitment to creative solutions
- Means-testing: Ensures resources go to families who need them most
- Provider standards: Maintains quality and safety through certification
- Scalable model: Can be enhanced as community support grows
The Choice Before Colorado
We can continue to let families struggle with impossible childcare costs, or we can come together as a community to support each other. For just 25 cents per purchase, Coloradans can provide meaningful childcare assistance to 200,000 Colorado families.
My Commitment
As someone who watched my mother struggle to provide for six children, and as a father facing childcare challenges today, I will fight every day to ensure this program serves Colorado families with the dignity, respect, and support they deserve.
This isn’t charity – it’s community. This isn’t welfare – it’s neighbors helping neighbors. This isn’t government dependency – it’s Colorado families taking care of each other.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Funding: $81 million annually through voluntary 25-cent donations
Eligibility: Families earning under $250,000 annually
Benefits: Up to $2,500 monthly sliding scale based on income
Providers: State-certified childcare providers with background checks and training
Administration: Integrated with existing state systems for efficiency
Impact: 200,000 families supported, thousands of provider jobs created
The bottom line: Colorado families will finally have the childcare support they need to work, grow, and thrive – funded by the voluntary generosity of neighbors helping neighbors throughout our state.
“No other candidate running for Governor has real solutions to the issues facing families. That’s what qualifies me to run for Governor and become Governor of this great State.”- Erik Underwood
Sources: US Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey, Colorado State Demography Office: Source: Colorado has 2,545,124 housing units according to the US Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey
Paid for by Underwood for Colorado
