Glenwood Springs City Council on Thursday heard a presentation from the Confluence Early Childhood Education Coalition about a proposed sales tax measure to fund more affordable and accessible child care across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys.

The coalition is asking voters in Garfield, Pitkin and part of Eagle County this November to approve a 0.25% regional sales tax to create Colorado’s first Early Childhood Development Service District. The initiative is expected to generate about $10 million annually to expand child care access, boost teacher wages and provide tuition assistance for families.

“This is about more than affordability — it’s also about capacity,” said Maggie Tiscornia, coalition director and Glenwood Springs native. “Right now, our region only has 44% of the child care slots we need, and families often spend 35% of their income on care, which can total $35,000 to $40,000 a year for two children.”

Former Roaring Fork School District Superintendent Rob Stein, who helped found the coalition in 2016, told council that early education investment pays long-term dividends. 

“Research shows children who receive high-quality early education are better prepared for school, graduate at higher rates, earn higher wages and even have lower incarceration rates,” Stein said. “There’s no better educational investment.”

If approved, the new district would be governed by a five-member board elected by voters within the proposed boundaries. Funding would be used to provide tuition support, offer grants to providers to add classrooms, and raise the median wage for early childhood educators, which now sits at about $17 per hour.

The tax would exempt essential items such as groceries, fuel, medical supplies, diapers and farm equipment. Coalition leaders emphasized the district would not operate child care programs directly but instead channel money to existing providers and help families navigate federal, state and local assistance programs.

Council members expressed interest in the proposal but stopped short of endorsing it Thursday. Councilor Steven Smith noted the $10 million projected revenue falls short of the estimated $20 million regional need but said he was encouraged that the measure could significantly close the gap when paired with state universal pre-kindergarten funding.

Councilor Sumner Shacter and others said it may be premature for the city to take a formal stance. The matter is expected to return for discussion at a future work session, where council will consider whether to issue a resolution of support.

The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association has already endorsed the measure, along with several local employers who have partnered on child care expansion projects in recent years.

“This is a chance to make a meaningful difference for children and families,” Tiscornia said. “We’re asking for your support to help us get this across the finish line in November.”