Access to child care is a crisis everywhere, more so in rural areas.

Childcare is a workforce issue, an economic issue, a kindergarten-readiness issue.

This simple but powerful statement comes from a Conifer-area Mom and characterizes the problem that parents, grandparents and care providers have been dealing with for years.

Grant Barrett from San Mateo, California, United States, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Results from the past two community surveys conducted by the Conifer Area Council (CAC) indicate a problem with lack of access to licensed child care (early care and learning programs). In 2022, only 5% of residents indicated they have good access to child care, down from 9% in 2018. Parents say that child care availability, quality and affordability are problems.

In 2024 CAC conducted research and contacted parents, child educators plus numerous officials, ranging from staffers for elected representatives, to government employees overseeing child care programs for Jefferson County (Jeffco) and the State of Colorado. Our goal was to define the problem and research avenues to help residents better understand child care options.

We provide links below for you to get additional information on child care programs plus gain access to online tools where you can search for child care providers. Unfortunately, as any parent with a child or children knows, finding quality, affordable, and available child care is and will continue to be a major concern.

Assessment and Findings

  • There are not enough childcare providers in Conifer.
  • Programs are expensive and waitlists can be years’ long.
  • After-school and summer programs are limited in Conifer. West Jefferson Elementary and Elk Creek Elementary Schools offer after-school care through Rocky Mountain Kids
  • This is not just a rural Colorado problem, but a nationwide problem for several years.
  • It is not a problem that the federal or state governments can solve alone.
  • The problem is exacerbated in rural areas, like Conifer, because childcare providers are extremely limited. More programs exist down the mountain. However, travel distance and parent’s work locations are key limitations to utilizing child care programs down the hill.
  • Jeffco’s Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) provides limited funding for income-eligible families. Due to limited state and federal funding, CCAP enrollment has been frozen as of Jan 1, 2025. Jeffco’s program falls under the state of Colorado’s CCAP program and this link provides more information https://cdec.colorado.gov/for-families/colorado-child-care-assistance-program-for-families
  • Jefferson County Child Care Association (JCCCA) is a nonprofit association that supports family child care home providers. They provide referrals to parents and guardians seeking care and have over 80 licensed family child care home providers in Jefferson County. FIND CHILD CARE | JCCCA
  • Mountain Resource Center started a preschool in fall 2024. They are a licensed provider that offers half day programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. Low-income eligibility is a factor in enrollment. For the 2024-2025 school year, the program was tuition-free. However, in 2025-2026, MRC Preschool will be tuition-based. https://www.mrcco.org/preschool/
  • Colorado’s Universal Pre-K Program provides 15 hours of free preschool to all 4 year olds in Colorado. Additionally eligible 3- and 4-year olds (income, special needs, etc) can receive up to 30 hours of free preschool. Universal Preschool Colorado | Colorado Department of Early Childhood
  • The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) created Colorado Shines, which helps participating programs and professionals improve their quality through assessment, training and tools. A key feature of this program is their free search tool to help parents identify nearby programs. It includes the number of available openings. You can insert your zip code with distance desired, and it provides all programs that participate in Colorado Shines. https://decl.my.salesforce-sites.com/search?location=80433&d=5&lon=-105.336536&lat=39.5099753
    Our search identified 17 programs in our vicinity. Two examples:

    • Name: Mon Petit Academy
      • Location: Conifer
      • Program Rating 4
      • Capacity 92
      • Ages Served: Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School Age
    • Name: Elk Creek Preschool
      • Location: Pine Junction
      • Program Rating 4
      • Capacity 40
      • Ages Served: Toddler, Preschool, School Age

With Great Appreciation

CAC would like to thank several people who met with us and shared their insight and information.

  1. US Representative Brittany Petterson (D-CO-07) Staff member Kathleen Foley, Legislative Assistant, Washington D.C.
  2. Jeffco Head Start Program. Karen Boettcher and Rachel Meixner, Arvada.
  3. Tara LaMont, Director Childcare Assistance Program, Jefferson County
  4. Heather Craiglow, Director Head Start Collaboration Office, Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Denver
  5. Linda Marrs. Former Montview Community Preschool & Kindergarten Director, Conifer
  6. Carla Keiten, Preschool Director, Mountain Resource Center, Conifer
  7. Karin Rueff, Conifer