School district involved in newly passed universal pre-k initiative

Will begin for 2023-2024 school year

[  By Kendra Walker  ]

This spring, Colorado leaders in education passed HB22-1295, which establishes the new Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool for Colorado. Among them was the valley’s very own Gunnison Watershed School District superintendent Leslie Nichols, who last fall was appointed by Governor Jared Polis to the Colorado Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC). 

The ECLC supports early childhood efforts as a statewide leader in advising policymakers. One of its roles is to advise and support the establishment of universal preschool in Colorado by the fall of 2023, which is supported by the statewide tobacco tax that was passed in 2019.

The new Department of Early Childhood begins this July 1 and will be the home of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood programs. It will also be the home of CDE’s Colorado Preschool Program, and universal preschool will begin in the 2023-2024 school year. The Colorado Preschool Program and Preschool Special Education programs will also still exist for further funding. 

Nichols attended a signing ceremony and reception on April 25 at the Governor’s Mansion in Denver. “This is a big deal for our state!” said Nichols. “There are lots of details to work out, but this is a big win for kids and families and schools and society in Colorado. Investing in early childhood has the biggest return on investment of anything, and Colorado joins just three other states (Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma) with preschool available to all 4-year-olds.”

Nichols said on a local level, the Gunnison/Hinsdale Early Childhood Council (ECC) has been meeting to discuss how the Local Coordinating Organization, which will support access for families to universal preschool, will take shape. 

“We are fortunate in the valley to have such a highly functioning, collaborative ECC that helps ensure the best for kids, their families and our early childhood workforce,” said Nichols. “In the 2023-2024 school year, all of our families will have 10 hours of free preschool for their 4-year-olds. Our district preschool along with our community child care centers and licensed in-home providers will all be able to participate in the universal preschool program.” 

In an update to Gunnison County Commissioners on June 7, public health director Joni Reynolds said the exact funding structure is not yet confirmed. “It will depend somewhat on how many facilities apply for [funding] and what their capacity is.”