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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15538RESOLUTION NO. 15538 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING COLORADO HB24-1237 – PROGRAMS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND URGING THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT THE SAME WHEREAS, parents or guardians with unmet child care needs are twice as likely to report poor general health and mental health as those who have adequate access to child care; and WHEREAS, nearly one-third (30.9%) of Coloradoans who couldn’t access child care for a week or more said it was because they couldn’t afford it; and WHEREAS, the median household income for the City of Pueblo is $49,598 with 19.2% of Pueblo’s population living in poverty; and WHEREAS, one impediment to obtaining and maintaining employment, training, or education is the lack of affordable child care; and WHEREAS, as of September 2023, there were only 120 licensed child care providers in Pueblo County; and WHEREAS, nearly one in five (17.8%) of families in Pueblo County reported not being able to access child care when they needed it, compared to the state average of 9.0%; and WHEREAS, there is a crucial need for quality affordable child care in the City of Pueblo; and WHEREAS, the programs created by HB24-1237 will allow local governments to support and incentivize the development of child care facilities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Pueblo, for the above-stated reasons, supports the passage of HB24-1237 and urges the Colorado State Legislature to enact the same. SECTION 2. A copy of this Resolution be transmitted to all members of the Colorado Senate and House of Representatives and the Governor of Colorado. SECTION 3. The officers and staff of the City are authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with this Resolution to effectuate the policies and procedures described herein. SECTION 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon final passage and approval. INTRODUCED: March 11, 2024 BY: Roger Gomez MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL APPROVED: PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL ATTESTED BY: CITY CLERK City Clerk's Office Item # M16 Background Paper for Proposed Resolution COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 11, 2024 TO: President Mark Aliff and Members of City Council CC: Mayor Heather Graham VIA: Marisa Stoller, City Clerk FROM: Sarah Martinez, Councilor SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING COLORADO HB24-1237 – PROGRAMS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND URGING THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT THE SAME SUMMARY: Attached is a Resolution in support of Colorado HB24-1237 – Programs for the Development of Child Care Facilities. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: Not applicable to this Resolution. BACKGROUND: Colorado HB24-1237 was introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives on February 12, 2024, and is set to be heard by the Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee on March 6, 2024. The bill creates 3 new programs to be implemented and administered by the division of housing in the department of local affairs division. The 3 programs to be created are: the child care facility development toolkit and technical assistance program, the child care facility development planning grant program, and the child care facility development capital grant program. Each program will be available for 4 years. For each program, collaboration between the division and the department of early childhood is required for the policies the division develops and adopts to implement the programs. Additionally, the division is required to submit an annual report regarding the programs to specified legislative committees and to the department of early childhood. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are no financial implications for the City in passing this Resolution. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable to this Resolution. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Not applicable to this Resolution. ALTERNATIVES: City Council could choose not to publicly support Colorado HB24-1237. RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the Resolution. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft HB24-1237 Development of Child Care Facilities