Garfield County to place Confluence early‑childhood special district service plan on Feb. 10 agenda

Garfield County commissioners agreed to place the Confluence Early Childhood Education Special District service plan on the Feb. 10 county agenda and to set a public hearing as the first formal step toward creating a regional special district to finance early‑childhood services.

The proposed district would cover parts of Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle counties and fund subsidies, provider grants and outreach with a quarter‑cent sales tax (25¢ on the dollar). Nate Bruggeman, the coalition attorney, told commissioners, “This would be the first district of this kind in the state.” Proponents project about $10.5 million in revenue in the district’s first year.

County leaders said the service plan responds to shortages of licensed child‑care slots and the high cost of care. The plan’s priorities include direct financial support to families, grants to expand provider capacity, outreach to increase families’ knowledge of available services, and…