FORT COLLINS, CO — Early Childhood Council of Larimer County is excited to announce a transition to a new name, Northern Colorado Kids Thrive (nocokidsthrive.org). The new name will be accompanied by a rebrand of the organization. For more than 25 years, the organization has been known as the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County—a name that reflects the organization’s origins and legacy. But as the organization has evolved, the name has not kept up with its growth.
“The Early Childhood Council name no longer captures the full breadth of the organization’s responsibilities today,” said Christina Taylor, CEO of Northern Colorado Kids Thrive. “What began as council-based coordination work has grown into a robust, multi-faceted organization with a broad portfolio of programs, partnerships, and systems-building efforts. While council work remains an important part of our DNA, it is now one program within a much larger organization that is driving change across early childhood, family well-being, and public systems.”
The name Northern Colorado Kids Thrive encompasses important realities:
The organization’s expanded scope. In addition to convening and coordination, the organization now leads program implementation, manages public funds, supports providers and families directly, and serves as a trusted partner to local and state leaders.
The organization’s work has deepened over the past 6+ years, and will continue to grow in breadth and depth. Through extensive community engagement, polling, and ballot development, voters made a clear commitment to invest in early childhood in Larimer County. Following the successful passage of 1B, the organization is entering into a formal contract with Larimer County to support implementation of these funds. This work includes planning, coordination, accountability, reporting, and partnership across multiple domains of the early childhood system. The scale, responsibility, and long-term nature of this work go well beyond what the title Early Childhood Council typically conveys.
The organization’s name should reflect impact and accountability. “We want families, providers, funders, policymakers, and partners to clearly understand who we are and what we do,” Taylor said. “Our name should signal leadership, stewardship, and action, while still honoring our roots.”
The organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic framework will remain unchanged.
“This rebrand is not about leaving our history behind. It is about aligning our identity with the work we are already doing and the future we are building together,” Taylor said. “This new chapter positions us to continue growing responsibly, stewarding public resources with care, and delivering meaningful impact for children, families, and educators across Larimer County.”
Learn more about the rebrand and name change at www.nocokidsthrive.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Christina Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Colorado Kids Thrive (formerly known as Early Childhood Council of Larimer County)
[email protected]
(970) 290-6609
www.nocokidsthrive.org