Childcare for All is Denver's initiative to strengthen childcare so more families can find quality care they can afford.

We're working with families, childcare providers, employers, and community members to better understand what's working, what's challenging, and where improvements are needed. Community feedback will help inform future recommendations and guide the City's next steps.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Take the online survey.
• Attend a community meeting.
• Share your experiences at a City event.
• Sign up for project updates.

Community meetings are an opportunity to:

• Learn about the project.
• Share your childcare experiences.
• Ask questions.
• Find helpful family resources.
• Connect with other families and community partners.

Childcare, interpretation, food, and other supports may be available at select meetings. Please check each event listing for details.

Finding quality childcare can be difficult for many families.

Families may face high costs, long waitlists, limited hours, or few options close to home or work. Childcare providers may also face staffing shortages, funding challenges, and regulatory barriers.

Denver is working to strengthen childcare by focusing on four priorities:

Reduce Costs

Help more families access quality childcare they can afford.

Increase Options

Expand access to childcare for families across Denver.

Build the Workforce

Support and grow the professionals who care for Denver's children.

Cut Red Tape

Make it easier to open, operate, and grow childcare programs.

Your feedback will help guide future recommendations for childcare in Denver.

We want to hear from everyone affected by childcare in Denver

Families and Caregivers

Tell us about your childcare needs and experiences.

Childcare Providers

Share the challenges you face and the support that would help your program succeed.

Employers

Tell us how childcare affects your employees and your business.

Community Members

Share your ideas for improving childcare for children and families across Denver.

You do not need to currently use childcare to participate.

The survey takes about 5 minutes.

Your responses will help us better understand childcare experiences across Denver and identify opportunities to improve access, affordability, and support for families and providers.

Take the Childcare Survey

We'll review feedback from surveys, community meetings, city events, childcare providers, employers, and community partners.

We're looking to better understand:

• What is working well.
• Challenges families and providers face.
• Opportunities to reduce costs.
• Ways to expand childcare options.
• Ideas to strengthen the childcare workforce.
• Opportunities to reduce barriers for childcare providers.

Community feedback will help inform future recommendations and future actions.

We'll also share updates about what we learned and what's next. 

July 2026

• Initiative launch and public survey.

August–October 2026

• Community meetings.
• Public engagement.
• Task Force launch.

October 2026–April 2027

• Review community feedback.
• Develop recommendations.
• Identify implementation opportunities.

May–July 2027

• Share recommendations.
• Provide project updates.
• Continue community engagement.

The Haynes-Gary Childcare Task Force brings together leaders from across Denver's childcare, education, business, philanthropy, nonprofit, and public sectors to help develop recommendations that strengthen childcare for Denver families.

Named in honor of lifelong youth advocates Anna Jo Haynes and Nancy Gary, the Task Force will meet regularly and work through specialized subcommittees focused on key areas such as access, affordability, workforce development, and quality. Community input gathered through the Childcare for All listening tour will help inform the Task Force's recommendations.

Meet the Task Force:

• Aasa Mills, Beehive Teacher 
• Alison Philips, Women's Foundation of Colorado 
• Allie Kimmel, Governor's Office 
• Britt Diehl, Downtown Denver Partnership 
• Chelsea Carver, Mile High United Way 
• Diana Romero Campbell, Denver City Council 
• Elliot Haspel, Capita 
• Elsa Holguin, Denver Preschool Program 
• Erin Curtin, Office of Children’s Affairs  
• Ethan Hemming, Warren Village 
• Jason Callegari, Buell Foundation 
• Jess Ridgway, Office of Children’s Affairs 
• Katy Anthes, Formerly Colorado Commissioner of Education 
• Lydia Prado, Lifespan Local
• Michael Niyompong, Merage Foundation
• Nicole Riehl, EPIC 
• Pamela Harris, Mile High Early Learning
• Paula Smith, Clayton Early Learning
• Rachel Romer, Guild Founder 
• Rob McDaniel, Metrix IQ 
• Steff Clothier, Gary Community Ventures 

Stay connected with Childcare for All.

Sign up to receive updates about community meetings, project progress, and future opportunities to help shape Denver's childcare future.

Sign Up for Updates

We're committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone.

If you need the survey or project materials in another language, require language interpretation, or need other accommodations to participate, we're here to help.

Language Assistance

The City and County of Denver complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, including language access. You have the right to request oral or written language assistance services in your preferred language at no cost.

If you need the survey or other project materials in another language, or require language assistance to participate, please contact:

Ricardo Rangel
Marketing and Communications Associate
Office of Children's Affairs
ricardo.rangel@denvergov.org