In an effort to address the growing challenges of early childhood education affordability, Kids First is collaborating with the Aspen City Council to explore ways to expand financial aid for families and provide better incentives for child care professionals. Nancy Nichols, Co-Manager of Operations at Kids First, outlined the need for an additional $8 million to fully fund five-day-a-week child care services for 340 available spots across Pitkin County. While full funding may not be immediately possible, the organization aims to find practical solutions that help more families afford quality care. In 2025 alone, Kids First granted over $550,000 in aid to 30 qualifying families, with 17 receiving coverage for more than half their child care costs. The average monthly cost in Aspen stands at $1,900—far exceeding what the federal government considers affordable.

Kids First has identified a significant gap between current child care expenses and what families can realistically afford. According to Nichols, child care in Aspen consumes approximately 23% of the average household’s monthly income, compared to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation of no more than 7%. If child care were limited to 10% of income, it would equate to about $827 per month, and just $579 if capped at 7%. Mayor Rachel Richards expressed interest in understanding how much funding would be required to bring child care costs closer to this benchmark. Financial aid eligibility is currently determined based on gross household income, ensuring support reaches those most in need.

Another key focus for Kids First is the continuation and potential expansion of a wage enhancement initiative for early childhood educators. Launched in 2022, the program provides monthly stipends—$300 for full-time and $150 for part-time educators—which was previously higher at $500 and $250, respectively. Megan Monaghan, Co-Manager of Programs at Kids First, noted that only four child care centers in the area currently participate in the program: Ajax Cubs, Aspen Mountain Tots, the Early Learning Center, and Preschool of the Arts at the Aspen Jewish Community Center. With county funding set to decrease over the next few years and expire entirely by 2027, these centers have absorbed the cost by raising tuition fees. Continuing the program at its current level would require $165,000 annually from the city, while expanding it to all 13 local facilities and restoring previous stipend amounts would cost $590,000.

Monaghan emphasized that the wage enhancement initiative has had a positive impact on staff retention, making it a crucial component of workforce stability in the early education sector. However, broader financial decisions hinge on the potential success of the Coalition of Early Childhood Education (CECE) in forming a special tax district. CECE has received approval from Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield counties to propose a 0.25% sales tax increase, which would directly fund early childhood programs. If voters approve the measure, Kids First plans to align its funding strategy accordingly. Monaghan stressed that coordination with the new district will take time as it establishes leadership, sets priorities, and defines its operational framework.

Kids First is also conducting a comprehensive assessment to evaluate child care demand in Pitkin County, particularly regarding a proposed facility at Burlingame Ranch. Last May, the city council approved land-use entitlements for a center that could accommodate up to 94 students. Should the analysis conclude that another facility isn’t necessary, Monaghan suggested reallocating resources toward alternative initiatives such as housing support for child care workers or further enhancements to educator compensation. This strategic approach reflects Kids First’s commitment to evolving alongside community needs and working collaboratively with both local government and emerging funding entities to build a sustainable early childhood education system.