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Weld County proclaims May 9 National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day; providers, officials note capacity gaps
Summary
The Weld County Board of Commissioners read and signed a proclamation recognizing May 9, 2025, as National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day and heard local providers and county officials describe capacity shortfalls, recent provider growth and the economic role of child care.
The Weld County Board of Commissioners on May 7 read and signed a proclamation declaring May 9, 2025, National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in Weld County and recognized local child care professionals for their role in supporting families and the economy.
The proclamation, read by Lisa Sauter of the Early Childhood Council of Weld County at United Way of Weld County, said child care “supports children’s growth, development and educational advancement” and called on citizens to recognize providers’ “important work and valuable contribution.” Sauter told the board that as of May 1 the county counted 298 licensed child care providers, a 13% increase since 2020 and 3% more than the previous year, and that 17 new family child care providers were licensed in the past 10 months.
The proclamation’s nut graf: Weld County officials and early-childhood partners said child care is critical to workforce participation and the local economy and that licensed capacity currently does not meet need for infants and toddlers. Sauter told the board the county’s licensed capacity can serve almost 7,400 children, “or just under 30% of children under the age of 5 who need care,” and that licensed capacity for infants and toddlers is “less than 12%.”
Commissioner Scott James thanked providers and described Weld County as still identified as a “childcare desert,” saying that broader policy choices—rather than local providers—drive supply challenges. “Childcare is workforce development,” James said. “The more that this board of county commissioners can do and the more that we can advocate at the state level to get our priorities straight and empower everybody from kinship to at-home to center-based daycare, to take care of that which we desperately need … the better.”
Commissioner Jason Maxey noted the value of providers to families who cannot keep a parent at home and said the services “pay dividends into the future.” Commissioner Kevin Ross and other commissioners also thanked providers for their work during brief remarks at the meeting.
Board members and Sauter also cited county birth and population trends during remarks: the board heard that Weld County recorded 4,815 births in 2024 and that county birth rates and population growth are driving continuing demand for child care services. The proclamation and comments emphasized collaboration among county government, nonprofit partners and employers to recruit and retain providers.
The meeting concluded with commissioners and the assembled providers posing for photographs. The board’s proclamation is a ceremonial recognition and does not create or appropriate funding.
Ending: County staff and the Early Childhood Council indicated ongoing recruitment efforts and data tracking but did not announce new county-funded programs during the meeting.
