How do federal changes impact Colorado's early childhood system?

Federal policy and funding shifts can cause uncertainty and concern. Early Milestones Colorado is pleased to launch Early Childhood Connect. We will provide up-to-date information about how federal changes impact Colorado’s early childhood system. We will provide news and updates across the four system domains: Learning and Development, Health and Well-being, Family Support and Education, and Economic Mobility.

If you have any questions you would like us to address, please fill out this form. If you have any resources we can amplify, please email Cat Portillo at cportillo@earlymilestones.org.

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What You Need to Know

Federal Updates for October

Government Shutdown:

A government shutdown started on October 1st. Democrats are advocating for the repeal of Medicaid cuts and lower health care costs. Here is more information about what happens during a government shutdown. Some of the first people to feel the effects of a shutdown will be mothers with young children on WIC. SNAP and Head Start could also be impacted depending on how long the shutdown lasts.

Check out this communications toolkit for more information about messaging the shutdown.

2026 Federal Funding:

The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced an appropriations bill for child care and early learning funding. The bill would increase funding for Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant. It would maintain funding for the Preschool Development Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Grant. This would lead to 50,000 children losing access to early education since the last increase. 

Exclusion of Undocumented Children from Federal Programs:

A number of federal programs such as Head Start, WIC, and CACFP have recently been included on lists of programs that will exclude undocumented children. Colorado and 19 other states sued the federal government and there are now two injunctions to halt the enforcement of this policy. Over 580,000 comments were submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services to oppose this decision.

Early Childhood Vaccinations and Health:

In September, the Trump administration claimed that Tylenol could cause autism. In scientific studies, “no single drug, chemical, or environmental factor has been strongly liked to autism.” Tylenol is the only recommended drug to reduce fever during pregnancy. Untreated fever can have dangerous effects for the mother and child.

The administration is likely to make changes to the early childhood vaccination schedule, including delaying the hepatitis B vaccination. Colorado has already started to create independent systems to assess the vaccination schedule and maintain access.

Upcoming Events

Please email Cat Portillo at cportillo@earlymilestones.org with any events we can include.

Learning and Development

Immigration Policy Changes

The new administration has made several significant changes to immigration policy:

  • Immigration Arrests Can Now Happen At Schools: Read more here.
  • Increased Deportations: Learn more here.

Colorado child care providers can support immigrant families and children by:

Education Policy Changes

President Trump signed an executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education. Milestones board member Dr. Rosemarie Allen shares how this decision will impact Colorado’s children in this video.

Here is what the U.S. Department of Education funds in Colorado:

  • Special education services for 117,600 students
  • Support for 17,800 children experiencing homelessness
  • School meals for 400,000 children

You can view this map to see how much funding districts in Colorado might lose.

A federal court recently ruled that preschoolers with LGBTQ parents cannot be excluded from Universal Preschool. Read more here.

Colorado Regulations for Child Care Centers in Emergency Events

Colorado has several licensing regulations that specify what to do in an emergency such as law enforcement action.

Safe Space Policy Guide Family Preparedness Packet

Health and Well-being

Medicaid Cuts

What we know:

  • The federal government is cutting Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion, resulting in millions losing coverage
  • 2 out of 5 rural children in Colorado receive coverage through Medicaid (Health First Colorado)
  • 1 out of 3 children in urban areas have coverage through Medicaid
  • 50% of children with special healthcare needs rely on Medicaid
  • 1 in 4 child care workers are covered by Medicaid

Medicaid is also a critical support for the early childhood workforce. Milestones board member Annie Lee shares more about the impact of Medicaid cuts for Coloradans.

Health Effects of Immigration Policy Change

Family detention, family member deportation, family separation, anti-immigrant harassment, and any interaction with the immigration system are considered adverse childhood experiences. That means they can impact the development of a child for life. The effects of these policies impact children regardless of the immigration status of the child. Learn more here.

How Medicaid Supports Student Success Mass Deportation Talking Points

Family Support and Education

Updates on federal changes that impact Colorado’s families

  • Birthright citizenship: An executive order is attempting to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented parents.
    • There are currently injunctions in place to block the order. For now, all children born in the U.S. will have the right to citizenship.
  • Reconciliation bill impacts: This bill was passed on July 4th. It has the potential to:
    • Increase child poverty and hunger. The estimated number of children in Colorado impacted by Child Tax Credit exclusions is over 93,000. Over 33,000 children could lose SNAP benefits.
    • Decimate health care coverage. Medicaid covers over 500,000 children in Colorado and 44% of births.
    • Deport children and cause family separation. The total number of children in Colorado who could be impacted by ICE action is over 93,000.
Reconciliation Bill Impacts for Colorado's Children and Families

Economic Mobility

What is Economic Mobility?

Economic mobility is a family’s capacity to attain higher income levels over several generations. You can learn more about economic mobility in our recent brief.

The federal government receives a long-term return of $10 for every $1 invested in children. Federal programs helped to cut poverty in half between 1967 and 2012. They contributed to improved health, increased education levels, and a better labor market. Less than 9% of all federal spending goes towards children.

In Colorado:

  • 47,000: Kids receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 
  • 317,000: Kids receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
  • 11,100: Children are in Head Start and Early Head Start 

Federal cuts to these programs would impact the educational, health, and economic outcomes of thousands of Colorado kids for years to come.

Do you want to know how much federal funding Colorado receives for programs that support children and families? Use this tracker to learn more.

Tariffs

Since April 1, families have spent an average of $400 more on baby supplies due to the tariffs. The most common baby items such as stroller, cribs, and car seats, have increased in price by 24%.

Economic Mobility Benefits Children Federal Spending and Colorado Children: Understanding the Impact

How Do Federal Supports Impact Child Care Providers in Colorado?

Early Milestones Colorado surveyed licensed child care providers within Colorado in February and March 2025 to learn how federal supports impact their child care programs. You can read the brief here.

How many child care providers in Colorado get federal funding?

  • 2 in 3 providers get some federal funding
  • 1 in 3 providers get federal funding for multiple programs

You can view this resource to learn about how recent executive orders impact non-profit organizations.

Partners