The constraints on Colorado's budget have become unavoidable variables in the state's ability to address the issues that impact children's well-being and the issues on which the Children's Campaign works. We know that the state won't be able to improve access to and quality of health care and early childhood education without the ability to invest in programs and services we know work. Nor can the state improve student achievement and reduce the dropout rate without the budget flexibility to meet the needs of our schools and students. As a result of the impact on our work and on children in Colorado, fiscal reform has become a significant part of the Children's Campaign agenda and an area of greater attention and focus.

Children’s Campaign Report Shows State’s Investments in Kids Declined over Last 10 Years While Child Poverty and Population Increased
In December 2010, the Children’s Campaign released the Colorado Children’s Budget 2010 which shows that Colorado’s investment in children’s programs and services was minimal to moderate over the last 10 years, despite a growing child population and childhood poverty rate during that same time. Further, the purchasing power of money invested in children’s programs and services steadily declined since 2000. The report is intended to serve as a resource guide for policymakers and advocates to better understand Colorado’s investments in kids. It provides 10 years of appropriation information and analysis on investment trends in four areas: early childhood development, K-12 education, health care and family supports. We hope this report will help to inform and support your work on behalf of Colorado’s children.

Click here to download the Colorado Children’s Budget 2010