2020 KIDS COUNT

KIDS COUNT in Colorado!: Creating a Path Forward for Colorado’s Kids

The 2020 edition of KIDS COUNT in Colorado! examines the current state of preschool in Colorado—the need, the access, and the opportunity—as lawmakers consider expanding access to the Colorado Preschool Program and Gov. Jared Polis calls for improved access to quality preschool statewide.

This 27^th edition of the annual focus on well-being of Colorado children and families provides a foundation of data and research to guide the policy making of state and local leaders. This year’s report, Creating a Path Forward for Colorado’s Kids, explores what a significant expansion in preschool access would mean to Colorado’s young children. Researchers examined barriers to quality early learning faced by kids with the most obstacles to learning—and how an expansion toward a universal system should put them first.

The report is produced by the Colorado Children’s Campaign as part of the national KIDS COUNT project. It includes data for every county in Colorado on child demographics, economic security, health, early childhood and K-12 education.

NOTE: The report was finalized before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and does not reflect changes in trends since the crisis began. See our KidsFlash blog for the latest analysis of post-pandemic data and research as they become available.