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April 2, 2024

For Colorado Families, Getting by is Getting Tough

By Elise Henson

This tax season, countless American parents will be waiting to receive their Child Tax Credit. They’ll use it to pay rent or other big bills, just like my husband and I plan to do. It’s welcome extra cash that can provide a cushion for emergencies or simply help cover the many everyday expenses that come with raising children.

Even for middle class families, getting by in Colorado is getting tough. When asked by the Colorado Health Foundation, Coloradans said their top concern is the rising cost of living.

A two-parent family with an infant and a preschooler living in the Denver metro area must earn $9,995 a month to meet their basic needs, and tax credits play an important role in covering those expenses.

What’s New

Colorado could use $700 million of TABOR surplus on a new child tax creditApril 10, 2024
Starting Spring 2025, Colorado’s lower-income families could receive an average of $2,500 per year under a state-level child tax credit. The proposal, which is moving forward at the statehouse, would pay out an estimated $700 million annually to nearly 300,000 families.
Colorado lawmakers advance a new tax credit that could cut child poverty in halfApril 9, 2024
House Bill 24-1311 would create the “Family Affordability Tax Credit,” which would be available only in years when the state has enough surplus tax revenue.
HB-1311 Cuts Child Poverty in Half, Benefits 45% of Colorado FamiliesApril 4, 2024
House Bill 24-1311, also known as the Family Affordability Tax Credit, is begin considered by Colorado lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session.

Search & Filters

Colorado could use $700 million of TABOR surplus on a new child tax credit

Starting Spring 2025, Colorado’s lower-income families could receive an average of $2,500 per year under a state-level child tax credit. The proposal, which is moving forward at the statehouse, would pay out an estimated $700 million annually to nearly 300,000 families.

Colorado lawmakers advance a new tax credit that could cut child poverty in half

House Bill 24-1311 would create the “Family Affordability Tax Credit,” which would be available only in years when the state has enough surplus tax revenue.

HB-1311 Cuts Child Poverty in Half, Benefits 45% of Colorado Families

House Bill 24-1311, also known as the Family Affordability Tax Credit, is begin considered by Colorado lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session.

mom hugs daughter and kisses her cheek

For Colorado Families, Getting by is Getting Tough

We have tools proven to help families but they can be difficult to access.

Celebrating Rising Homeownership Rates for Black Women in the US

There is an indelible resilience and persistence that Black women have despite our complex history with America.

La inscripción para Universal Pre-K está abierta: aprenda los conceptos básicos de UPK

Con hasta 15 horas a la semana de preescolar gratuito para cada niño el año antes de ingresar al jardín de infantes, el Programa Preescolar Universal de Colorado es una de las mejores maneras para que las familias preparen a sus hijos para una vida de éxito, hoy.

The ABCs of UPK

With up to 15 hours a week of free preschool provided to every child the year before they enter kindergarten, Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program is one of the best ways for families to set their children up for a lifetime of success, today.

Denver-area fund uses $8M to get more Coloradans in high-demand jobs

Denver-area nonprofits on Thursday launched a new effort aimed at filling the gaps in the state’s ongoing worker shortage.

youth athlete practices at sports program

New program gives eligible Denver families $1,000 for after-school activities

My Spark Denver is billed as a first-of-its-kind program in the country, aiming to help low-income students.

New online tool helps Coloradans quickly determine which public benefits they might be eligible for

MyFriendBen works to increase access to basic necessities such as food and heat.

Systemic Change Happens at the Intersection: A Gary Community Ventures 2023 Recap

In 2023, we consistently saw change happen at the intersection of business, impact investing, philanthropy, policy and new ventures, which is how Gary Community Ventures is designed to operate

youth practice at school of breaking

Denver middle schoolers can get a $1,000 debit card for extracurriculars in new experiment for school success

Middle school students in Denver Public Schools who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch are eligible to apply for debit cards loaded with $1,000 for sports, art and music activities

Case Studies for Impact

As we listen with humility to our community, partners, and each other, we learn together to drive action that guarantees School Readiness, drives Youth Success, and stimulates Family Economic Mobility. Whether we’re leveraging impact investments, grants, new ventures or Policy and advocacy, we dare to be bold, working urgently with our community and partners to deliver a future where all Colorado kids can grow up healthy and reach their full potential.

Learn more about the breakthrough solutions below that are reshaping the arc of opportunity for kids and families in Colorado.

Rear View Of Family Standing Outside New Home On Moving Day Looking At House

COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Grantmaking

Preventing mass evictions and homelessness during and after the pandemic.

beautiful happy boy with painted hands

Colorado Emergency Childcare Collaborative

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: New Ventures

Providing free childcare to essential workers during the pandemic.

Yes on Amendment B Ballot Measure

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Policy & Advocacy

Protecting teachers, first responders and small businesses during the pandemic.

The RISE Fund

Outcome Area: Youth Success
Approach: Grantmaking

Helping academic institutions rebound from the COVID crisis and create equitable innovations to improve student learning.

COVIDCheck Colorado

Outcome Areas:
School Readiness & Youth Success
Approach: New Ventures

Creating safe schools for students, teachers and staff during the pandemic.

YES on Proposition EE Ballot Measure

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Policy & Advocacy

Building a coalition to expand free preschool to every 4-year-old.

Female Owner Of Start Up Coffee Shop Or Restaurant Turning Round Open Sign On Door

Apis & Heritage Capital Partners Fund

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: Impact Investing

Helping workers of color own their own futures.

Urban Land Conservancy

Outcome Area:
Family Economic Mobility
Approach: New Ventures

Leveraging valuable real estate to create equitable communities in Colorado.

Denver Preschool Program

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Policy & Advocacy

Pioneering childhood education in Colorado.

Learn Start II

Outcome Area: School Readiness
Approach: Impact Investing

Creating the largest, most detailed pipeline of global education technology companies.

Tax Help & Get Ahead Colorado

Outcome Area: Family Economic Mobility
Approach: New Ventures

Increasing access to free tax preparation services and tax credits for families.

Discover New Possibilities

Together, we will create the change our community wants to see. Whether you want to discover more about our ventures, or connect with a member of our team, we want to hear from you.