The Board of Directors of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Larimer County, and other key partners in urging voters to support the Help Larimer Kids Thrive campaign. Referred to the ballot by the Larimer Board of County Commissioners, 1B will establish a new ¼-cent sales and use tax to support the economic well-being of both families and childcare workers. Generating an estimated $28.7M in 2026, proceeds will primarily flow to households in the form of tuition assistance and stipends to childcare workers to help attract and retain this critical workforce. A portion of the tax proceeds will also support strategic facility improvements, defray administrative expenses, and establish a reserve fund that would survive the 20-year tax sunset.
Along with the cost of housing, your Chamber recognizes the limited availability and extraordinary expense of childcare as an impediment to our economic vitality. Not only are household budgets strained, but many valuable members of our workforce are unable to justify remaining on the job. The cost of care consumes their paycheck, further limiting their economic mobility and future earnings potential.
Conversely, and in spite of elevated prices, licensed care providers operate on thin margins due to regulatory and operational constraints that limit their ability to raise wages for their own workforce. This is particularly concerning for smaller, independent providers. Ample evidence suggests that childcare workers are able to pursue better-paying opportunities outside this field after a relatively short career. This compounds the cost associated with staff turnover while subjecting families to a revolving door of less-experienced caretakers for their children.
Under an agreement with Larimer County, the Early Childhood Council would administer 80% of the tax proceeds; the County would use the balance of the collections to oversee the program and establish a reserve fund. An annual third-party financial audit will be presented to the public to ensure transparency.
While your Chamber recognizes the growing weight of taxes and fees on our economy, that concern is counterbalanced by the potential for greater workforce participation, increased productivity, improved quality of early childhood development, enhanced preparedness of our future workforce, and limited bureaucratic expansion presented under this ballot measure. Vote yes on 1B.