We, the undersigned, understand that the current Colorado budget shortfall means making tough decisions. However, we strongly believe that it is in Colorados best interest to maintain current funding levels for the Child Care Assistance Program and the Colorado Preschool Program for the coming fiscal year.

The United States has one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. A direct and effective way to stem this problem is to invest in early learning, and to continue to improve its quality with adequate funding. The most formative learning comes in those first years of life.

The benefit this investment makes is remarkable. For every dollar spent on early childhood education almost $10 is returned by age 25. Those benefits are to society such as savings on remediation in school and on the criminal-justice system or to the participant, in the form of higher earnings and taxes.

Early childhood education also ensures that thousands of working Colorado parents remain in the workforce. As we persevere in uncertain economic times, we must help Colorado continue to do business, and by investing in early childhood education, we allow working parents to remain in their jobs while children begin their education.

Please support Colorados working families and maintain funding for the Child Care Assistance Program and the Colorado Preschool Program.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned