Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation releases the KIDS COUNT National Data Book to rank states in terms of how well they are doing for kids. Colorado is a state that invests in kids – and the data show it. Colorado often ranks in the top half of states in education, family, and community. But a closer look shows that Colorado has a way to go to make sure kids truly have what they need.
In 2026, Colorado ranks 14th in the country for child well-being. But the state’s performance and its scores are mixed across the four domains.Our highest ranking – but lowest score – is in Education (8th), followed by Family and Community (13th). Our lowest rankings are in Health (24th), and Economic Security (21st).
How Colorado Compares
Category: Ranking (Score)
Overall: 14th (636)
Economic Well-Being: 21st (635)
Education: 8th (510)
Health: 24th (638)
Family and Community: 13th (762)
Here are some key takeaways from the 2026 report:
While Colorado’s high rank in education (8th) looks promising, a closer look at the data tells a different story.
More than half of Colorado 4th graders are not proficient in reading, and close to 70% of 8th graders are not proficient in math, according to the measures used by KIDS COUNT. More recent data suggest the problem is growing worse, both in Colorado and across the nation. Our ranking suggests that Colorado is doing better than most other states, but that doesn’t mean our kids are getting the support they need to thrive academically.
Colorado has one of the highest median incomes in the country, but it is ranked 21st among states for economic security.
Colorado families’ median income is higher than in many states. But hundreds of thousands of kids and families are struggling to get by: About 22% of Colorado children’s parents don’t have a stable income. Almost one in three kids live in families with a high housing cost burden. And 7% of teens are not in school or working. This has consequences for children’s health and life trajectories. At the same time, the state’s limited ability to raise taxes makes it difficult for policymakers to get enough resources to those who need it, especially as the federal government cuts funding for programs that serve children.
Colorado has made important improvements for teens.
In many domains tracked by the report, teens are doing better: Between 2019 and 2024, on-time high school graduation became more common, fewer children and teens age 10 to 17 were obese or overweight, and the teen birth rate dropped. Let’s build upon this momentum in the coming years – and start to make these gains in education and health for all kids.
Want to dig in more? In a few short days, Colorado will release its state-level KIDS COUNT in Colorado! 2026 Data Book, which offers a deeper dive into data on kids in Colorado and county-level factsheets for every part of Colorado.
