Affordable childcare offerings within reasonable proximity to home and work are essential for our community to thrive. To achieve this end, we need accommodative public policy and direct action. The Chamber will convene key regional partners and stakeholders, and catalyze a program that solves this problem.
Jefferson County alone is incurring an estimated annual economic cost of nearly $200 million due to lack of sufficient childcare for the workforce; the direct negative impact for Jeffco employers is $60 million (loss of productivity, etc.)
The supply of childcare spots has not kept up with the demand
We have:
Childcare is cost-prohibitive for many
Childcare businesses struggle with staffing and very low-profit margins
The cost of childcare is often the main reason women leave the workplace – especially for those with multiple young children; in two-parent, two-income households where one parent has considered leaving or has left the workforce to become a primary caregiver, half (50%) say the cost of external childcare played a significant role in the decision
As with Talent and Workforce Housing, Arvada and Jefferson / Adams Counties have long lacked a coordinated effort to grow and sustain our childcare capacity
The Chamber Board and Campaign Leadership Council are convinced B.O.L.D. 2026 is the right approach at the right time for our community and region. Join us!
For more information about performance measures, budget and staffing today, contact Arvada Chamber President, Kami Welch, at kami@arvadachamber.org