By Jess Fuller, Senior Director of Economic Impact
On June 4, 2025, leaders across business, city and county government, school district and early childhood gathered for a 2-hour workshop. Participants rooted themselves in data and stories about the current state of childcare access and affordability, heard about proven solutions across Colorado and the nation and explored assets and collaborative solutions for increasing access and affordability to childcare in Arvada and greater Jeffco/Adams County areas so people could stay in, join or re-join the workforce
The event was co-hosted by the Chamber and EPIC (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children) in partnership with Triad Bright Futures, Triad Early Childhood Council and Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County (ECPAC).
The Need
Source: This was featured in EPIC’s 6/4 presentation. The data is from the Colorado Information Marketplace (September 2023) & American Community Survey, 2019-2023. The graphic sources from the Kids’ Count Report by Colorado Children’s Campaign.
The above graphic is statewide data. In addition to there being 1/3 less available slots than children with working parents, parents face a multitude of barriers to access including long waitlists, lack of options near home or work, and costs that don’t make it feasible for both parents to keep working. Below is a short video from one parent navigating these barriers. Jerome’s story illustrates what so many parents in our community are navigating.
Why It’s a Business Problem
For parents who are working, not having childcare that meets their work needs impacts their work or forces them to compromise the safety of their children by putting them in environments that aren’t vetted or licensed as Jerome mentioned in his video. Check out the national data below highlighted in EPIC’s 6/4 presentation and sourced from Ready Nation and Morning Consult and Pivot Ventures.
Business needs parents in the workforce. The 2024 Talent Pipeline Report projects 400,000 retirees over the next 5 years, lower migrations and plateauing birth rates. According to a 2024 brief by EPIC and the Common Sense Institute about unlocking workforce potential, if just 10,000 of the mothers currently sidelined from the workforce due to child care barriers returned to work, it could have a nearly $4B impact on Colorado’s GDP. This is especially acute for the front range, where 80% of the workforce is concentrated.
What’s Next
- EPIC is hosting 3 more workshops across Jeffco and Adams County. Leaders who shared interest, capacity and assets for participating in this regional effort will work collectively over the next two years to pilot solutions
- In addition to staying plugged into the EPIC’s regional work, the Chamber will work with partners to support additional solutions, including employer-based ones, that support access to affordable childcare.
The Chamber is offering its Free Family-Friendly Workplace Program to a limited number of businesses. A Family-friendly workplace policies can help lessen the childcare needs on the workforce, unlocking new talent pools and increasing productivity among the workforce. Reach out to Jess Fuller (jess@arvadachamber.org) before spots in the program fill up!
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