As a mother and a working professional, I see firsthand the impact of Colorado’s childcare crisis. Families struggle to find affordable, quality care, and providers are stretched thin due to chronic underfunding. The lack of sustainable funding sources for childcare directly affects our workforce, local businesses, and overall economic stability. That’s why I strongly support HB25-1247, which gives counties the flexibility to increase lodging taxes—with voter approval—to address critical needs like childcare, housing, and emergency services.  

Right now, too many parents—especially mothers—are forced to reduce work hours or leave their jobs entirely because they can’t secure reliable childcare. This doesn’t just impact families; it affects businesses, limits economic growth, and worsens workforce shortages in key industries. Meanwhile, childcare centers operate on razor-thin margins, struggling to pay educators competitive wages while keeping tuition affordable for families. Without additional funding, many of these centers will continue to close, leaving even fewer options for working parents.  

Please consider increasing the limit from 5% back up to the originally proposed 6% and allow communities to decide the percentage that is the best solution for them. This one percent could mean an additional half million to a million dollars for tourist based communities.  

This is a common-sense solution that puts decision-making power in the hands of local communities, ensuring that tourism dollars help support the very services that keep our towns and economies running.  

I urge you to support HB25-1247 and give counties the tools they need to fund critical services that benefit both local families and the broader economy. Thank you for your time and consideration.