In a move that is sure to be cheered by parents of young children across the state, and welcomed especially by workforce parents who have struggled with the rising cost of childcare, Colorado’s state government has approved free universal preschool and created a new Department of Early Childhood.
M. Michael Cooke appointed to serve as the Governor’s Early Childhood Transition Director.
Photo courtesy Council for a Strong America
Late Thursday afternoon, the Colorado legislature passed HB22- 1295, preparing to send it to Governor Jared Polis for official signature. The bill creates a new Department of Early childhood virtually assuring that Colorado will soon have free universal preschool.
The approval moves the state’s early childhood programs from the oversight of the Departments of Human Services and Education to a new Department of Early Childhood. It also creates (and most importantly funds) a Colorado universal preschool program.
M. Michel Cooke was appointed in Dec. 2021 to serve as the Governor’s Early childhood Transition Director.
“We’re excited that the new state early childhood department plans will make Colorado more affordable, save families money, and expand access to quality early childhood services for Colorado kids,” said Governor Polis speaking at the time of the appointment.
Over the past several years, Colorado voters have shown strong support for early and public education. They approved public kindergarten and the formation of a new Department of Early Childhood Education to focus on preschool education and development.
The administration will soon begin the search for an Executive Director for the new agency, to be hired sometime this spring, 2022.
The Bill will now move to the office of Governor Jared Polis for signature.
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