The Colorado Children’s Campaign fights for a brighter future for every child in Colorado. In the 2025 legislative session, Colorado invested in this future. Education, health coverage for children, and other efforts to support kids’ well-being saw funding increases and improvements – even though the state was facing more than a $1 billion budget shortfall.
Our advocacy during the 2025 session mattered for kids:
• More students will receive supports in school
• More kids will enter Kindergarten ready to learn
• More children will access health coverage and care
• More kids in deep poverty will get additional resources
K–12 Education: Building a Fairer, More Effective System
New School Funding Formula (HB25-1320 & Budget Win!)
Colorado will begin using a new formula to fund public schools that prioritizes students from low-income families, English learners, students with disabilities, and rural communities. This shift will help target resources to where they are needed most.
Healthy School Meals for All (HB25-1274)
In November 2025, Colorado voters will consider two measures that would help the state fund the Healthy School Meals for All program. One would allow the state to retain additional revenue from Prop FF. The other would adjust income tax deductions to increase funding.
Funding Equity for Public Charter Students (Budget Win!)
State-authorized public charter schools will continue to receive the same funding per pupil as school districts. Preserving this policy ensures all public schools receive the resources they need to support their students.
School Climate (HB25-1248)
Schools will have new guardrails and clearer data reporting requirements related to restraint and seclusion as part of the state’s continuing effort to understand and improve schools’ climates.
Early Childhood: Strengthening the Foundation for Lifelong Success
Universal Preschool (Budget Win!)
The legislature approved a funding increase for the Universal Preschool Program that
will increase provider rates, support Local Coordinating Organizations, and expand
capacity to meet growing demand for the program.
Child Care Access & Affordability (SB25-004 & Budget Win!)
Legislators protected child care subsidies (CCCAP); cut burdensome fees and
improved financial transparency for families searching for child care.
The Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS) Program (SB25-197)
The 31-year-old TGYS program was updated to help more community-based programs
access critical funding to prevent youth crime, violence, and child abuse and neglect.
Health: Keeping Kids Covered During Critical Years
Cover All Coloradans (Budget Win!)
Colorado will increase public health coverage for undocumented children and pregnant individuals.
More than 16,000 people are already enrolled in coverage through this initiative, which took effect in January 2025.
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) (Budget Win!)
CHP+, which provides coverage for more than 90,000 children and pregnant individuals who have low incomes but are not eligible for Medicaid, was fully funded for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Continuous Coverage for Young Children (Budget Win!)
Beginning in 2026, children who are enrolled in Medicaid or CHP+ will not have to reapply for coverage between the ages of 0 and 3, preventing disruptive gaps in care during the most critical years for child development beginning.
Economic Security: Protecting Kids in Deep Poverty
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (HB25-1279 & Budget Win!)
Families with very low incomes who receive basic cash assistance through TANF will see a cost-of-living increase beginning July 2025. Legislators also passed a bill that will improve data collection for this program, ensuring any future changes are grounded in accountability and real-world impact on kids.
Family Affordability Tax Credit (HB25-1335 & Budget Win!)
The Family Affordability Tax Credit is a refundable, means-tested tax credit providing up to $3,200 per child under 6 and $2,400 per child aged 6 to 16 for eligible families. Legislation protected this vital credit, which is projected to make Colorado’s child poverty rate the lowest in the country and 40% lower than the second-lowest state.