Aspen looks to the future with city-funded childcare program

Aspen City Council on Monday reviewed the scope and significance of Kids First, a city-funded program established in 1990 to promote quality, affordable early childhood care and education. 

Fueled by a 0.45% dedicated sales tax — renewed by voters through 2040 — the program generated approximately $4.2 million in 2024 to support a range of services aimed at alleviating the financial burden of childcare in one of the country’s most expensive communities.

Kids First operates across all of Pitkin County, supporting 12 of the 13 licensed childcare programs in the region and offering financial assistance to families who live or work within the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary. 

In 2024, the program awarded $615,409 in scholarships to eligible families, serving those earning up to 600% of the federal poverty level. This assistance is vital in a community where childcare expenses can consume up to 55% of a household’s gross income.

City Council member Sam Rose emphasized the need to increase affordability for working families. 

“I think affordability is one of the biggest ones to work towards,” Rose said. “I like the idea of a 7% goal for people to be spending out of their income.”

He also advocated for expanding the program’s financial aid cap. 

“Having a progressive scale of financial aid, and potentially raising the cap of the 600% poverty level,” he said. 

Rose added that even families earning what might be considered a solid income often struggle under the weight of Aspen’s cost of living.

Council member Bill Guth echoed that sentiment, arguing that support should not be limited to low-income households. 

“Childcare should be available to all who need it, whether they make the poverty level, or $400,000 a year,” Guth said. “The cost of living in Aspen is incredibly high.”

Mayor Rachael Richards connected the issue of childcare with broader concerns about housing and family planning.

“It is very expensive to have a child, whether you have childcare support or not,” she said. “A lot of families would love to have more children, but they cannot afford a second or third bedroom, or afford health care. I think it’s important to merge that information to see where we are really heading.” 

She noted that the upcoming housing needs survey should be considered alongside the city’s childcare needs assessment. Richards also asked staff to return with a clear breakdown of “needs versus wants” to help guide future funding decisions.

Kids First also provides direct operational support to childcare providers. In 2024, the program allocated $281,514 in Infant/Toddler grants to six qualified childcare centers. An additional $467,107 was distributed in teacher wage enhancements and stipends, benefiting 89 educators. The program further invested over $44,000 in quality improvement and professional development grants to maintain a high standard of care and instruction across the county.

City Council member John Doyle expressed gratitude for the progress made in recent years. 

“I know four years ago, when I first got on council, childcare was such a hot topic. It was one of three of our top priorities,” he said. “I think the clamor has died down quite a bit since then, and that is thanks to staff putting in the effort for this.”

Kids First operates alongside the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), which raised its eligibility threshold to 300 percent of the federal poverty level in November 2024. By offering support to families earning up to 600 percent of that threshold, Kids First bridges the gap for those who earn too much to qualify for CCCAP but still struggle to afford the high cost of childcare in Aspen.

Despite the local funding structure, national policy changes could indirectly impact the program. The Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for Head Start would threaten access to early childhood education for over half a million low-income children nationwide. Though Kids First is insulated from such cuts due to its municipal tax base, increased pressure on local services could arise if federal supports disappear.

Meanwhile, Pitkin County remains an active partner in advancing early childhood education. Through programs like CCCAP and its collaboration with Kids First, the county reinforces a community-wide commitment to quality, accessible care for young children.

This regional approach is particularly important given the disparities in local income levels. 

Aspen’s Area Median Income (AMI) for a four-person household in 2025 stands at approximately $68,650 — significantly lower than the countywide AMI of $108,000. The discrepancy reflects Aspen’s large population of service industry workers and residents in subsidized housing and underscores the urgency of programs like Kids First in ensuring equitable access to care in a high-cost environment.