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Denver, CO– The Public Health Care and Human Services Committee today advanced two bills that would give Colorado families increased options for child care at a time when it is more crucial than ever. Representative Dylan Roberts’ bill would allow home-based child care in Homeowners’ Association Communities, and Representative Mary Young’s bill would extend the licensure exemption for family child care homes to September 2026. Rep. Roberts’ bill passed 10-0. Rep. Young’s bill passed 12-1.
“As we work to get our state’s strong economy back on track, it’s more important than ever to ensure that Colorado families have access to child care,” said Rep. Young, D-Greeley. “This bill would ease the burdens of an extensive licensure process for certain family care homes, and will provide much needed relief as we adjust to a new way of life.”
“Your zip code or unnecessary regulations should never be what prevents you from getting the child care your family needs to get to work,” said Rep. Roberts, D-Avon. “This bill allows responsible child care providers to safely provide their services in the community that they live in and will incentivize more people to open home child care businesses. We’re working to ensure that Coloradans can get back to work safely, and making child care more accessible and available is an important step in that direction.”
SB20-126 would allow a homeowner in a community organized under the “Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act” to operate a licensed family child care home notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the community’s guidelines. Community guidelines on parking, noise, landscaping continue to apply but communities must make reasonable accommodations for fences required by state child care home licensing laws. Licensure requirements for family child care homes are extensive and must include background checks, required training, inspections and more.
HB20-1347 would prolong the time period in which certain family child care homes can receive licensure exemptions from the state. Under HB20-1347, family care homes are homes where less than 24-hours of child care is provided. A family care home cannot exceed four children, and no more than two children can be under the age of two. Additionally, the children are not required to be related to the caregiver, but if the caregiver is caring for their own children in addition to non-family members, their own children are included in the four child limit.