Friends & Partners,

When we outlined our legislative priorities for you nearly two months ago, we knew so much more was possible for children and families in Colorado.

The Colorado Health Foundation was reporting cost of living continues to be the top issue facing Coloradans today, with families needing to make at least six figures to afford a median priced home. Our state's poverty rate in many communities is twice the national average, and 133,000 of our kids are experiencing poverty.

As such, we told you our team was chiefly focused on making Colorado a more affordable and equitable place to raise children, and we know policy is one way we can tip the scales toward family success. 

We're thrilled to share that this legislative session resulted in important wins for Colorado families.

Of the 15 bills Gary Advocacy dedicated time and resources to supporting, all but one passed and will become state law.

Many Colorado lawmakers felt the same positive energy we did, with Democratic leaders calling it a "breakthrough" legislative session. Republican lawmakers also told the Denver Post they were pleased to link arms with Democrats on several key priorities, including compromises on bills related to income and property taxes.

Below is a recap of this session’s wins, and how we plan to continue supporting these vital efforts moving forward, as we know policy is just one element in driving systemic and lasting change for children and families.

Thank you for your support and partnership this session. If you're interested in joining us in the implementation of any of these pieces of legislation, please let us know here.

-Reilly Pharo Carter
Director of Policy & Advocacy

Unlocked for kids & families

Made possible by HB-1311

PASSED

It’s hard to put into words how significant HB 24-1311 will be for Colorado kids and families. The bill was an incredible team effort both within and outside of Gary.

HB-1311 has the potential to cut the number of our kids experiencing poverty in half. It will do so by providing a tax credit to approximately 45% of Colorado families.

In addition to the Child Tax Credit, families with kids 5 and under will receive up to $3,200 per child; and families with kids ages 6 to 16 will receive up to $2,400 per child. All families making up to $95K will receive this benefit on a sliding scale.

Of Coloradans likely to see increase in housing options

More homes can now come online thanks to package of 7 bills

7 BILLS PASSED

In 2022, we led the effort to pass Proposition 123 to begin addressing Colorado's affordable housing crisis. We spent 2023 working on implementation. A year later, municipalities representing over 90% of Colorado’s population have opted-in to growing their communities' affordable housing stock by 3% each year. Even with these early successes, more work is needed to address the barriers standing the way of affordable housing development in Colorado. 

That is why, in 2024, Gary remained active in pushing for additional housing and land use policy reforms. These 7 bills will play a crucial role in increasing the number of homes developed to addressed Colorado's housing shortfall:

9th graders now more likely to graduate high school

Made possible by HB-1282 

PASSED

Through the passage of HB-1282, the 9th Grade Success program now has the opportunity to reach significantly more of Colorado's 9th graders. Just how impactful is this program? Ask the folks of Center, Colo.

Center saw their high school graduation rates drop to the lowest in the state in 2019. After the installation of the 9th Grade Success grant program, Center High School saw its graduation rate skyrocket by 20%. Now it’s among the state’s highest.

Our team was proud to collaborate with Stand for Children Colorado and Center High School to produce a short film designed to show legislators — and now, school district leaders who will be implementing this program — what success looks like when this manageable, data-driven program is being deployed.

Barriers to accessing the Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) will be reduced — PASSED

A capital grant program & toolkit will now offer facilities-related assistance to childcare providers, including support with planning, developing, building and co-locating challenges — PASSED

This will be a first step towards addressing the negative outcomes that significant use of social media can have on youth wellbeing — PASSED

While the study to explore public funding for baby bonds died on the legislative calendar, we remain committed to exploring other ways to build wealth for families as early as possible — LOST 

Interested in joining the coalitions working to implement any of the bills mentioned above? Let our Gary Advocacy team know.