AT A TIPPING POINT - BUILDING STRONGER SYSTEMS FOR COLORADO KIDS IN THE AFTERMATH OF COVID-19

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Connor

AT A TIPPING POINT: BUILDING STRONGER SYSTEMS FOR COLORADO KIDS IN THE AFTERMATH OF COVID-19 is a 2021 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report dedicated to children and youth across the state who endured the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions to daily life. The publication uses best-available state- and county-level data to track education, health, and general well-being, and to inform policy debates and community discussions. It also highlights contributors and acknowledges supporting partners enabling the annual research and dissemination effort.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages142

Reading Time5 h 58 min

AccessFree to download

Child Well-Being During the Pandemic

K-12 Education

Child Health

Family Economic Security

Early Childhood Learning and Development

County Data Definitions

Sources

Acknowledgments

Letter From the Governor

Letter From the President

AT A TIPPING POINT: BUILDING STRONGER SYSTEMS FOR COLORADO KIDS IN THE AFTERMATH OF COVID-19 This 2021 edition of the KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report is dedicated to the children and youth across the state who have bravely endured the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the disruptions it has caused to their daily lives. They sacrificed playdates and proms, graduations and grandparent visits, to help keep the adults in their communities healthy and safe, and they faced it all with kids’characteristic courage and resiliency. To the young people across Colorado who have endured a year like no other: we see the sacrifices you’ve made, and we commit ourselves to ensuring that Colorado emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic as a better place to be a kid. is made possible through the support of: This research was funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in the report are those of the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation. We also acknowledge the generous support of the countless contributors whose investments make possible the work of the Colorado Children’s Campaign, including sharing these critical data throughout the year. KIDS COUNT in Colorado! is an annual publication of the Colorado Children’s Campaign that provides the best available state-and county-level data to measure and track the education, health and general well-being of our state’s children. The report informs policy debates and community discussions, serving as a valuable resource for policymakers, community leaders, advocates and citizens. The 2021 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! project was written by Sarah Hughes, Vice President, Research Initiatives; Erica Manoatl, Manager of Research Initiatives; and Charlie Veraza, Development Associate. Design is by Erin Autrey, 3 Story Design, and Rob Sherow, Design Manager, Colorado Children’s Campaign. Permission to copy is granted so long as KIDS COUNT in Colorado! and the Colorado Children’s Campaign are cited as the source. TABLE OF CONTENTS Child Well-Being During the Pandemic 7 K-12 Education 58 Child Health 48 County Data Definitions 66 Family Economic Security 44 Sources 63 Early Childhood Learning and Development 54 Acknowledgments 137 LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR Jared Polis Governor August 25, 2021 Greetings: I am honored to help introduce the 2021 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report. Year after year, the research and data provided by the Colorado Children’s Campaign has an impact on the policy changes that help make Colorado abetter place to be a kid and live. The 2021 edition of KIDS COUNT in Colorado! is important, as it calls us to focus on a future vision for Colorado education. Since March 2020, our administration has worked to support Colorado kids and hardworking families who faced challenges as a result of the public health and economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through state and federal stimulus packages, science-backed guidance, agency, and executive actions, my administration worked to ensure financial support and essential resources reached families and small businesses. Now, as we build back stronger we have the opportunity to prioritize equity and access for all. Already, transformational changes have taken place this year. The creation of a new state Department of Early Childhood—which followed the overwhelming approval of Proposition EE this past fall—elevates early childhood education and development in our state. This new cabinet-level state agency will help ensure our youngest Coloradans and their families have access to the high-quality, affordable early care and learning they need to reach their fullest potential. I am proud of Colorado’s commitment to students and families this past legislative session, and look forward to a future that strives to make Colorado the best state for children of all a

FAQs

What is the purpose of the 2021 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report?

It measures and tracks education, health, and general well-being using state- and county-level data, informing policy debates and community discussions as Colorado recovers from COVID-19.

How does the report frame the experience of Colorado children and youth during COVID-19?

It emphasizes sacrifices in daily life and highlights the commitment to ensure Colorado emerges from the pandemic as a better place to be a kid.

What sections and topics are included in the table of contents?

The contents include child well-being during the pandemic, K-12 education, child health, family economic security, early childhood learning and development, along with county data definitions, sources, and acknowledgments.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Connor