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DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford and Lorena Garcia that would improve price transparency and allow Colorado families to request refunds on waitlist fees, application fees, and deposits if they don’t enroll their child in a child care center.
SB25-004 passed by a vote of 38-22, with all House Republicans present opposing the effort to protect parents from out of control child care fees.
“It’s expensive to raise children in 2025, and families shouldn’t have to shell out thousands of dollars on waitlist fees and deposits for child care centers that don’t even offer their child a spot,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “This bill allows families to recover some of the fees associated with the application and waitlist processes to save hardworking families money on child care. Colorado Democrats are committed to making our state a more affordable place to live, and this legislation is one of the many steps we’re taking to save Coloradans money.”
“Families shouldn’t have to budget for thousands of dollars worth of child care deposit and waitlist fees,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “It can be difficult to clear a child care waitlist, which is why some families are spending thousands of dollars on numerous child care deposits and waitlists despite the uncertainty of whether or not their application will be accepted. Our legislation would allow families to receive a refund for fees and deposits if they are not offered enrollment within six months, allowing families to save their hard-earned money.”
SB25-004 would require child care centers to provide a transparent fee schedule upon registration, when joining a waitlist, or at the request of a family. The bill would also require application fees, waitlist fees, or deposits to be refundable after six months if a child is not admitted and remains on the waitlist. Centers would be able to keep costs associated with an administrative fee, which would be determined by the Department of Early Childhood in consultation with families in child care programs, licensed child care providers, and other stakeholders.