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Policy Progress, Partnership Power & Plot Twists from the 2025 Legislative Session

From Reilly Pharo Carter

As the dust settles on the 2025 Colorado legislative session, we’re proud to report major wins for Colorado kids and families. Three of our four priority bills successfully passed both chambers and have now either been signed or are awaiting the Governor’s signature. While one key effort fell short, the progress made this session reaffirms the power of dreaming big and taking action.

Without question, these policies would not exist if it weren’t for the incredible partners who developed concepts, pushed our thinking, stood alongside us, and navigated complex political terrain in order to advance the work. We are grateful for the partnership of so many incredible advocates, individuals, and state agencies who we were able to work alongside this year.

Here’s a closer look at the wins, lessons and momentum we’re carrying into the future.

What’s New

When We Gather: Relationships, Innovation and HarmonyJune 26, 2025
Read about how ACTIVATE40 used deep connection to spark housing innovation in Colorado.
MyFriendBen Expands to Pueblo CountyJune 20, 2025
MyFriendBen, a tool connecting families to available public benefits, has reached southern and rural Colorado with its expansion into Pueblo County.
2025 Gary Advocacy Legislative Session RecapMay 29, 2025
As the dust settles on the 2025 Colorado legislative session, we’re proud to report three major wins for Colorado kids and families.

Search & Filters

When We Gather: Relationships, Innovation and Harmony

Read about how ACTIVATE40 used deep connection to spark housing innovation in Colorado.

MyFriendBen Expands to Pueblo County

MyFriendBen, a tool connecting families to available public benefits, has reached southern and rural Colorado with its expansion into Pueblo County.

2025 Gary Advocacy Legislative Session Recap

As the dust settles on the 2025 Colorado legislative session, we’re proud to report three major wins for Colorado kids and families.

Gary Community Ventures Announces Recipients of its 2025 Request for Grant Proposals

Gary awards $720,000 in grant funding to expand 9th grade success and improve family benefit access in Colorado.

From Colorado to North Carolina: Expanding a Lifeline for Families in Need

A simple tool built in Colorado is now helping North Carolina families unlock life-changing benefits—in just six minutes.

Let’s Move Colorado Forward, Together

Meet the statewide initiative working to make child care in Colorado more affordable—so families can thrive, businesses can grow, and every child gets the strong start they deserve.

2025 Gary Advocacy Legislative Session Priorities

Helping more Coloradans build financial resilience through 3 priority bills focused on housing, maximizing public education investments, and employee ownership

Underinvestment: The Larger Problem Underpinning Colorado’s Child Care Freeze and the Cost to Families and our Economy

Colorado’s child care system is broken. Here’s how we can fix it.

Why We Invested in Catalyze GP Runway Fund

Catalyze’s GP Runway Fund fosters a more inclusive investment ecosystem that will have a lasting, scaled impact beyond our organization’s lifespan.

2024 Year in Review: Making Colorado the Best Place to Raise Kids

We unlock more joy for kids and families in our communities when we decrease the economic burdens our systems place on them

COinvest: A Pioneering Model for Place-Based Community Investing in Colorado

COinvest demonstrates how place-based investing can unlock both financial returns and lasting community impact, reimagining the future of philanthropy in our own backyards.

ASSEMBLE100 Report: Ownership Investing

Download the ASSEMBLE100 Report to explore evidence-based strategies for combining social impact with financial returns through ownership investing.

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.