Garfield County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a plan to create a special tax district to fund early childhood development services.

Proposed by the Confluence Early Childhood Education Coalition, the district would levy a 0.25% sales tax in Garfield, Pitkin and western Eagle counties to help alleviate childcare costs for local families. Additionally, funds would be utilized to enhance the quality and accessibility of local early childhood development services.

While sales tax from Parachute to Aspen would increase by 25 cents for every $100 spent, essential items such as groceries, diapers, medicine, medical equipment, gas and feminine hygiene products would be exempt from the tax.

If approved by voters, families residing within the district could be eligible for financial assistance for early childhood services from birth to kindergarten enrollment. More specific eligibility criteria would be developed by the directors elected to the service district’s board.

The plan was presented to the BOCC for a public work session in February and underwent amendments to rectify an error later that month.

During the regular Monday meeting, the BOCC unanimously approved the amended service plan for the Confluence Early Childhood Development Service District after listening to a presentation by several of the plan’s advocates.

“We just couldn’t be more thrilled,”  Coalition Director Maggie Tiscornia said. “This is a huge milestone for us as a coalition and most importantly for the kids, the families, the businesses and all of our communities that would benefit so tremendously if this passes.”

Securing approval from Garfield County is just one step toward placing the special tax district on the ballot. The coalition will present the same amended plan to Eagle County commissioners on March 25 and Pitkin County commissioners on March 26. 

If both counties approve the plan, the coalition will determine the initiative’s ballot date, either 2025 or 2026. The timing of the special tax district’s appearance before voters will depend on factors such as a public opinion survey, fundraising efforts and a potential campaign budget. Additionally, the coalition will initiate the court approval process by submitting a Petition for Organization with at least 200 voter signatures.

If passed, it will be the first special tax district devoted to early child care and education in the state.

“There’s not a family in this valley that doesn’t struggle with child care,” Commissioner Perry Will told the coalition on Monday. “I think you’re in pretty good shape.”