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Larimer County approves contract with Northern Colorado Kids Thrive to begin 1B childcare rollout
Summary
Larimer County commissioners approved a short-term professional services agreement with Northern Colorado Kids Thrive to administer initial spending from the voter-approved 1B early childhood sales tax; the first-year rollout will pilot programs and direct more than $3 million to families while establishing oversight and evaluation.
Larimer County commissioners voted Feb. 10 to approve a short-term professional services agreement with Northern Colorado Kids Thrive to begin implementing the voter-approved 1B early childhood sales tax.
The agreement, moved by Commissioner Kristen Stevens, authorizes the county to partner with Northern Colorado Kids Thrive (also called NoCo Kids Thrive) to administer initial pilot investments designed to lower child-care costs, support educators and build system capacity. Christina Taylor, CEO of Northern Colorado Kids Thrive, told the board that in the first year "more than $3,000,000 will go directly to families, educators, and early childhood programs" and that the tax is expected to generate "more than $20,000,000 a year." She said NoCo Kids Thrive was selected through a competitive RFP and will administer roughly 80% of the funding while the county retains fiscal and reporting oversight.
Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said they are taking a phased approach to avoid disruptions and to ensure funds are deployed equitably. Christina Taylor said the county and the implementing organization will use pilots this year "to deliver early benefits while building systems that scale without disruption." County manager Loranda Volker and Human Services Director Heather O'Hare emphasized that the contract is short-term and will be refined as the county learns from the initial rollout.
Accountability and evaluation: Taylor and staff described several safeguards: regular financial controls, required reporting to the Board of County Commissioners, evaluation work to track outcomes for children accessing funded programs, and plans to share data with school district partners to measure longer-term impacts. Taylor said evaluation could, over time, link high-quality early childhood access to improved educational outcomes such as third-grade reading and graduation rates.
Community engagement and equity: Commissioners pressed for mechanisms to ensure rural and unincorporated areas have a voice. Taylor said the county and NoCo Kids Thrive will create a family-and-provider consumer voice council with geographically diverse representation to help prioritize investments. She directed residents who want to engage to nonocokidsthrive.org for newsletters and sign-ups.
Vote and next steps: Commissioner Kristen Stevens moved the approval. The board recorded an affirmative voice vote and paused briefly for a photo with children and guests. Staff said the county will spend the coming months developing reporting and holding dedicated work sessions with commissioners as pilots begin and funds start to flow.
The agreement emphasizes county fiscal oversight, evaluation and staged implementation; commissioners said they expect regular updates as the program transitions from pilot activity to fuller-scale implementation.
