CSPC Featured in KNGU

CSPC Featured in KNGU

by | Jan 27, 2026 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, K-12, Parents, Policy

CSPC Featured on KGNU Radio: Early Childhood Education and Family Engagement in Boulder County

The Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC) was recently featured on KGNU’s Public Affair radio program, highlighting our work supporting families, caregivers, and educators in Boulder County and across Colorado.

During the conversation, CSPC shared how our programs — including PASO, Éxito, Las Familias, and VOZ — empower families, strengthen early childhood education, and support parents in becoming informed advocates for their children. The discussion also touched on the importance of family engagement, community leadership, and policy advocacy in building more equitable education systems.

We are grateful to KGNU for the opportunity to uplift community voices and spotlight the work happening on the ground with families every day.

👉 Listen to the full episode here:
Listen here

Thank you to KGNU for amplifying this important conversation, and to our community for continuing to show up for families across Colorado.

GIT for Child Care

GIT for Child Care

by | Jan 27, 2026 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Parents, Policy

Colorado Can’t Keep Waiting — It’s Time to Invest in Child Care

📖 Read the full op-ed here: Read Here

At the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC), we know firsthand that Colorado families are doing everything they can to stay afloat — working multiple jobs, navigating rising costs, and struggling to access affordable, reliable child care. Meanwhile, the providers they rely on — often grandmothers, neighbors, and friends — are being pushed past the breaking point.

In a new guest commentary published by The Denver Post, our own Mirla Coronado de Low, Director of Early Childhood Programs at CSPC, outlines what’s really at stake: our over-reliance on federal funding has left our child care system fragile and vulnerable to political games. And because of TABOR and Colorado’s flat tax system, our state isn’t doing enough to invest in its own families.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

A graduated income tax — like the one Colorado had before 1987 — could generate over $2 billion annually to fund the programs our families need: child care, education, and health care.

📖 Read the full op-ed here: Read Here
We’re proud to stand with the Protect Colorado’s Future Coalition to push for tax fairness and a stronger future for Colorado’s families.

CSPC Second Round of Grantees FFN

CSPC Second Round of Grantees FFN

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Policy, Uncategorized

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Jaimi Flores
Jaimi@coparentcoalition.org

DENVER, CO — September 23, 2025 —

The Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), is proud to announce the second round of recipients for the Friend, Family, and Neighbor (FFN) Support Grant Program. This milestone continues the momentum of Colorado’s historic investment in strengthening community-based childcare options across the state.
The FFN Support Grant Program, established by the Colorado State Legislature in 2022, was the first initiative of its kind in the country. It provides resources, training, and support to FFN childcare providers—who currently care for over 50% of Colorado’s young children, including more than 60% of children aged three and under.
“CDEC celebrates this partnership with the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition and the eight new awardees for the FFN Training and Support Program,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “The momentum from this program speaks to the need to provide outreach and resources to FFN providers across the state as they play a vital role in supporting children and families in Colorado.”
“CSPC is thrilled to support more groups who are committed to supporting FFN providers across the state,” said Lorena Garcia, CEO of the Colorado Statewied Parent Coalition. “FFN providers have always been the backbone of the childcare sector and will always be the backbone. We need to keep investment in FFN strong.”
The following organizations have been selected to receive funding in the second round of the FFN Support Grant Program:
  • Gunnison County dba Gunnison Hinsdale Early Childhood Council – $42,002.09
  • Tutela Institute – $54,846.00
  • North Range Behavioral Health – $96,442.49
  • Roots Family Center – $61,160.00
  • Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County – $66,011.49
  • Early Milestones Colorado – $199,780.00
  • Mile High United Way – $205,633.45
  • Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success – $41,653.70
These awardees will lead efforts to expand professional development opportunities, culturally relevant resources, and programmatic support for FFN providers in their respective communities.
The FFN Support Grant Program will continue to make a lasting impact through 2026, with funding available through December 31 of that year.
For more information about the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition or the FFN Support Grant Program, visit FFN Grant | Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition or contact Abril Fuentes Abril@coparentcoalition.org
Coloradans Launch 2026 ballot push for graduated state income tax

Coloradans Launch 2026 ballot push for graduated state income tax

by | Sep 3, 2025 | Policy, Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
Alicia Caldwell
caldwell@bellpolicy.org
303-810-9909

Coloradans launch 2026 ballot push for graduated state income tax

New ballot measure proposals would cut taxes for 98 percent of Coloradans,
raise revenue to address budget crisis

DENVER, CO — September 3, 2025 — The Protect Colorado’s Future coalition today announced plans to put a graduated income tax on the 2026 ballot. This proposal would lower taxes for 98 percent of Coloradans, while raising taxes on individuals and corporations making more than $500,000 a year.

The proposal comes in direct response to Colorado’s budget crisis, caused by state revenue limits and federal budget cuts. This budget gap has led to $1.5 billion in cuts to vital state programs this year alone. The state’s existing budget squeeze forced massive program cuts earlier this year, but President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” threw our state into free fall, taking away funds for healthcare, food assistance, and schools to benefit giant corporations and give tax breaks to the wealthiest.

Protect Colorado’s Future says it’s time to fix the state’s tax system. For 50 years, Colorado used a graduated income tax system, in which those with higher incomes paid higher taxes. This system ended in 1987, when an anti-tax legislature replaced it with an inequitable “flat tax,” lowering taxes on those making the most and gradually draining the state budget. The coalition aims to ask voters to fix that injustice through a ballot measure in 2026, and began that process today by filing three versions of a ballot initiative.

“Colorado is at a turning point,” said Chris deGruy Kennedy, President and CEO of the Bell Policy Center, a member of the coalition. “For more than three decades, an upside-down tax code has hurt Colorado’s schools, health care, childcare and the environment. We’ve made the wealthy even wealthier while everyone else struggles to keep up. The cruel cuts to healthcare and the absurd corporate tax giveaways in the federal budget bill have pushed Colorado over the edge, and only the voters of Colorado have the power to make the wealthy pay their fair share and restore funding to critical state priorities.”

Colorado is especially vulnerable to federal cuts because a state constitutional amendment called the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR, creates an arbitrary budget formula that legislators must follow, restricting the state’s ability to fund essential public services. The amendment also makes the 1987 flat tax permanent, unless overturned at the ballot. The result is seen in this year’s state budget: a $1.2 billion dollar deficit impacting every Coloradan, from young children to older adults, in all parts of the state.

“Our generation is tired of waiting for someone else to save our future while our economic security gets worse with every failed minimum wage increase, additional hundreds of dollars added to our rent, and funding cuts to programs we rely on like Medicaid and Higher Education,” said Christina Soliz, Executive Director of New Era Colorado, another member of the coalition. “While the wealthy continue to thrive, young people are questioning whether Colorado is even a feasible place to build their lives. We’re taking our future into our own hands, and that begins with demanding the wealthy pay their fair share.”

The graduated income tax proposal will help recapture some of the $71,000 the wealthiest Coloradans will receive in 2026 from Trump’s tax cuts, reinvesting those dollars back into classrooms, healthcare, childcare, and other state priorities that could include food security, public safety, or workforce development programs.

Additional quotes from member organizations

  • Brace Gibson, Policy Director at Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger: “It’s time to put people first and build a fairer tax system that ensures every Coloradan can meet their basic needs like putting food on the table. Outdated policies like TABOR and federal tax breaks for the wealthy make that harder. We can and should do better by investing in food access, schools, healthcare, transportation, and other essential services that all of our communities rely on.”
  • Kathy White, Executive Director at Colorado Fiscal Institute: “Colorado’s working families shouldn’t have to pick up the tab so the wealthiest get a $71,000-a-year gift from Congress — especially when TABOR has already tied our hands for decades. A graduated income tax is just common sense: 98% of us get a tax cut, and the folks doing really well chip in a fair share to keep our schools strong, our healthcare system solid, and our communities thriving. That’s how we build a Colorado where everyone gets ahead, not just the lucky few.”
  • Heather Tritten, President and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign: “A new approach to income taxes would open up a world of opportunity for Colorado’s children and communities. Imagine a future where Colorado can build the schools, health care system, child care supports, and strong, safe, generous communities our children need and deserve. Imagine a future where our state’s resources match the true prosperity of our communities. Imagine a future where we are not as vulnerable to the whims of federal policymakers. This proposal is a step toward that future.”

About the Protect Colorado’s Future Coalition

Protect Colorado’s Future is a coalition of concerned Coloradans, working toward fairer taxation and a state budget that can afford the vital services and programs our families and neighbors depend on to survive. Protect Colorado’s Future is led by the following nonprofit organizations:

The Bell Policy Center

Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger

Colorado Center on Law and Policy

Colorado Children’s Campaign

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative

Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition

Colorado Fiscal Institute

Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights

Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition

Counties & Commissioners Acting Together

Great Education Colorado

New Era Colorado

Additionally, the following organizations have signed on to our statement of purpose:

“We support the concept of a state graduated income tax that requires the wealthy to pay their fair share so Coloradans can have well-funded schools, adequate and affordable health care, and the ability to respond to economic disruptions.”

Stand for Children Colorado

Hunger Free Colorado

Cobalt

Boulder County

Colorado PTA

Towards Justice

City of Boulder and Mukuyu Collective

Clear Creek County

Bread and Roses Legal Center

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

Community Economic Defense Project

Engage Jeffco

Arvadans for Progressive Action

League of Women Voters of Colorado

Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy, and Research Organization

Young Invincibles

Caring for Colorado

Rocky Mountain NAACP

AFSCME Colorado

A First Timers Experience at the Colorado State Capitol

A First Timers Experience at the Colorado State Capitol

by | Jan 12, 2024 | Policy, Uncategorized

House of Representatives during opening session, 1/10/2024

A First Timers Experience at the Colorado State Capitol

By Leslie Sarabia Vasquez/Marketing and Communications Coordinator 

Exploring the Colorado Capitol

I began my journey with Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition in December of 2023 as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Although I have only been with CSPC for little over a month, I have had great opportunities to learn more about what we do for the community and why we do it. On Wednesday, January 10th, I was able to join my fellow CSPC colleagues at the Colorado Capitol for the first day of the legislative session 2024. When I was first given this task of shadowing my colleagues, I had no idea what the legislative session was, and I had never been to the Colorado Capitol, even though I have only lived 20 minutes away my entire life. Many people, just like me, have never been to the Colorado Capitol and have a hard time understanding everything that happens within those walls. Visting the Colorado Capitol for the very first time can be scary, and I should know because that is how I felt, but that shouldn’t stop you from going and learning about what happens at the Colorado Capitol.

I always assumed that I had no reason to be there and that it wouldn’t benefit me in any way. On Wednesday, January 10th, all my opinions about Colorado’s government changed drastically. it is a ginormous building, filled with so many important people including you, a lot of history and beautiful artwork. When I arrived to the Capitol, I had to go through security to make sure I didn’t have any weapons. I saw all these people running around, trying to get to their offices, or to get a table and work. Since I went on a day that was very important, Opening Day, there were so many people, and it was interesting to see how many people wanted to be a part of the first day of the legislative session. The legislative session is open to anyone and if you haven’t been to one in person, I would encourage you to go.  

From right, Colorado’s capitol dome.  CSPC team: Natalia Alvarez, Marina Cruz, Angelica Prisciliano, Claudia Sanchez, Laura Peniche, Leslie Sarabia. View of inside the capitol.

Discovering the Power of Civic Engagement

There are many procedures, rules and ceremony that make it hard to follow, especially if you are new to policy making. The session opened with calling the names of all the Representatives of the House to mark attendance. From there, it was hard to keep up, they began with voting on specific items and since I had no idea what these were, it was difficult to understand. This difficulty might have stemmed from the fact that I have not been as present as I need to in the policy department and that’s a change that I need to make. By figuring out a point to start to understand policy and all its factors, I can begin to not only help my team but also to help myself grow personally and professionally. It all starts with asking questions.

My fellow colleague, Angelica Prisciliano, CSPC’s Policy Director, was very helpful in answering my questions regarding what the legislative session is and why it’s important, why we had to be there and why those that are elected to represent us need to see us there. 

Making Sense of the Legislative Process

“The Colorado legislative session is the period in which elected policy makers propose, discuss, and vote on proposed changes to the law, also known as bills. Bills are proposed in a variety of topics that impact all Colorado residents. Legislators discuss matters on education, health and safety, labor, environmental issues and more. The legislative process is an important part of how our government functions because it seeks to find agreement and representation of the people of Colorado. There are many ways to make your voice heard in the legislative process like coming down to the Colorado Capitol Building to meet your legislators and asking them to support proposed laws that impact you. No matter where you come from, your beliefs, or immigration status, your voice matters!” – Angelica Prisciliano 

Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC) strives to be part of a movement which fights for equity in education, helps build that support and empowerment for parents and childcare providers to learn about the system and change it. What I enjoy about working at CSP, is that they don’t just stop at identifying the problem. We work with our community to come up with a solution, they follow through with it and make it happen by coming together with the community and the people who work in policy to help start making positive impacts. After just working with CSPC for a little over a month, it’s clear that the connection between the work of CSPC and policy is a very important factor. Of course, I still have so much to learn about this connection and how it plays out exactly, but this topic area of policy is complex and will take time and patience to understand. Even if you have no idea what is happening half the time, all you need to do is ask questions and try to make connections with those who know about policy. And trust me, this process of learning this is going to be a long process, but in the end, it is worth it if you want to be a part of making a positive impact in your community. All you need is some time and patience because there are a lot of moving parts in this area.

Whether you know a little something about policy or you’re just interested in learning more about it, you can watch the recorded legislative session 2024 that took place on Wednesday January 10th at  Watch Meetings: Colorado Channel

The Power of FFN Providers

The Power of FFN Providers

by | Oct 23, 2023 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Policy, Uncategorized

The Power of FFN Providers

Unlocking the Potential of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Providers Through PASO

The formative years of a child’s life are pivotal for their overall development and future success. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) have a profound impact on a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. While childcare in licensed centers or licensed family childcare homes are valuable options, there exists another, often underestimated group of caregivers who wield tremendous influence: Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers.

FFN providers are individuals who extend childcare services within their homes or social circles for children in their families, in their neighborhoods or for their friends. This compassionate network of caregivers includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and close family friends. They serve as a lifeline for many families, particularly in underserved communities. Unfortunately, their pivotal role in early childhood education often escapes the notice of policymakers for investment in sustainability or professional development.

Enter the PASO (Provider advancing Student Outcomes) program, a transformative initiative from the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, that recognizes the significance of FFN providers in the early education ecosystem and empowers them to deliver high-quality care.

Empowering FFN Providers

PASO equips FFN providers with the training and resources necessary to offer developmentally appropriate care and education to the children under their care. Through PASO, these caregivers gain insights into child development, best practices in early education, and the science of creating enriching environments for young learners.

Promoting Equity

PASO serves as a powerful tool for promoting equity in early childhood education. Many FFN providers cater to children from marginalized communities, largely immigrant and refugee, families living with limited resources, children with disabilities, and in rural communities. By enhancing the quality of care they provide, PASO helps level the playing field for these youngsters.

Supporting Families

FFN providers are often trusted allies for the families they serve, especially for Dual Lanugage Learners (DLL) and children with disabilities. They offer culturally sensitive care that respects each child’s unique background and needs. PASO strengthens this bond by imparting FFN providers with the skills needed to effectively engage with families and connect them to additional community resources when necessary. 

Why Policymakers Should Take Notice:

Expanding Access: By investing in training programs like PASO and other effective, community-based FFN training programs, policymakers ensure that FFN providers possess the skills and knowledge to provide outstanding care to children under their care. investing in the sustainability of FFN providers through thriving wages, materials, and access to subsidy programs will secure a strong early childhood network for years to come.

Improving Outcomes: Extensive research indicates that children who receive high-quality early education are more likely to excel in school and life. Supporting FFN providers through programs like PASO can lead to enhanced outcomes for the children they nurture, benefiting society as a whole.

Addressing Disparities: FFN providers often represent the sole affordable childcare option for many families, especially in low-income and rural communities. Recognizing and supporting FFN providers can help alleviate disparities in access to quality early education.

Economic Benefits: High-quality early childhood education has been associated with increased workforce participation and reduced reliance on social services. Policymakers can realize a return on investment by supporting FFN providers and ensuring they deliver quality care.

The PASO program transcends education; it signifies empowerment, equity, and an improved future for children and families. Policymakers wield a pivotal role in acknowledging the significance of FFN providers and supporting programs like PASO that enable these caregivers to offer top-tier early education.

Understanding the influence of FFN providers and the potential advantages of initiatives like PASO, policymakers can make informed decisions that benefit children, families, and society at large. Investing in early childhood education in all settings, including through FFN providers, amounts to an investment in a brighter future for all.