Pitkin commissioners approve regional early‑childhood service plan, clearing way for voter question

The Board of County Commissioners on March 26 approved the service plan for the Confluence Early Childhood Development Service District, a regional proposal that would create a Parachute‑to‑Aspen taxing district to expand child care and early‑learning services.

Proponents said the district would be funded by a 0.25‑percent sales tax, if approved later by voters, and would raise an estimated $10 million a year. The plan calls for tuition assistance for families, grants to expand provider capacity and quality, outreach and navigation for families, and funding for program administration and evaluation.

Supporters told commissioners the regional approach is meant to match the valley’s integrated labor market and to avoid duplicating existing programs. “This special district would be the first of its kind in the state of Colorado,” Coalition director Maggie Tiscornia told the commissioners. Hannah Berman of AspenOne said the district would let families choose care closer to home or closer to work in the valley because “we have a very regional economy.”

County staff and the coalition’s attorney, Nate Bruggeman, described the legal and procedural steps that follow the board’s approval. The plan must be accompanied by signature gathering and a district‑court petition; if the court confirms statutory requirements, the funding question would be placed on a Tabor‑compliant ballot (a general election in 2025 or 2026 is being considered). Bruggeman said the court phase and related notice steps are already underway in the three counties that would be included in the district (Garfield, Pitkin and part of Eagle).

Coalition and philanthropic backers presented a financial overview that identifies a sizable funding gap. The group estimates about 5,100 children under age 5 live in the proposed district and that licensed capacity currently serves roughly 2,272 spots — about 44 percent of need. Using national cost and participation assumptions, the coalition estimated a total annual tuition need of about $52 million for roughly 3,070 children; current public funding amounts to roughly $6.5 million. The coalition projects the 0.25% tax would provide roughly $10 million annually, which would reduce but not eliminate the funding gap.

Commissioners asked about overlap with local programs and double taxation, particularly for Aspen’s existing Kids First program. Tiscornia and coalition members said the plan is designed to “blend and braid” resources rather than supplant municipal or state funding; they said Kids First and other local programs were engaged in plan development and could continue. The coalition also outlined next steps for campaign timing and noted choices remain about whether to target a 2025 or 2026 election cycle.

The board voted to approve the service plan, enabling the coalition to proceed with public signature collection and the court petition necessary to put creation of the district and the tax question before voters.