Colorado has a decades-long commitment to the early care and development of its youngest children. This dedication was recently underscored by the enormous will for early childhood investment and reform when a bipartisan majority of voters supported funding for high-quality, 4 year old universal preschool in a mixed delivery system with the passage of Proposition EE in 2020. This new voluntary preschool program will build upon the successes of Colorado's existing early childhood programs, including the Colorado Preschool Program (CPP), to offer every child in Colorado access to funded early care and education services the year before they enter kindergarten., "January 2022.", Online resource; title from PDF cover (viewed March 2024)
The Department of Early Childhood (DEC or department) was established by H.B.21-1304 and will consist of early childhood programs. The Governor's Office requests, on behalf of the future department, funds to establish the executive and administrative infrastructure for the department. The request will provide for department administration and leadership, human resources, finance and budget, program management, policy and communications, and data analytics. The infrastructure for the new department does not currently exist and is essential to support the operations for early childhood programs and services., text file, "November 1, 2021.", Online version lacks cover and contents page., Cover., Print version record.
Colorado has a decades-long commitment to improving the early care and education experiences of young children and families. In June 2021, HB21-1304 established the state Department of Early Childhood (DEC) and required the creation of a Transition Plan to be presented to the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC), the Governor, and the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado General Assembly., "November 2021.", Online resource; title from PDF cover (viewed March 2024)
