ICYMI: Senate Committee Passes Bill to Address the High Cost of Child Care

SB25-004 would create transparency with application and waitlist fees for private child care centers

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, to address the high cost of child care passed the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee yesterday.   

SB25-004 would require private child care centers to provide a transparent fee schedule before applications are submitted. The bill would also require application or waitlist fees to be refundable after six months if the child is not admitted and remains on the waitlist. 

"The rising cost of child care is a significant hurdle for countless families across Colorado," said Marchman. "By establishing clear guidelines for application and wait list fees as well as deposits, we can provide tangible relief to working families. With application fees often exceeding $175 per child, these costs add up quickly and put unnecessary pressure on household budgets. This bill ensures child care becomes more affordable and accessible, empowering more families to find the care they need without financial hardship."

“The lack of transparency on child care fees burdens families with unexpected expenses,” said Winter. “I hear from so many parents in my community that they are struggling to find child care. Limiting waitlist fees and adding transparency to application fees on child care center websites and forms reduces financial uncertainty and helps parents make informed decisions about what’s best for them.” 

These requirements would apply to private child care programs outside the Universal Preschool Program, Colorado Childcare Assistance Program, and Head Start. Under the bill, a waitlist fee could only be used to cover the administration costs of managing a waitlist or processing an application. A center may charge a deposit, but if admitted, the deposit must go towards the first month of child care.

SB25-004 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.