Press Releases

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) led the Colorado Democratic Congressional Delegation in a letter urging President Trump to fully fund Head Start in the upcoming budget. The letter follows alarming reports that the Trump administration is considering a proposal to eliminate funding for the program.

In Colorado alone, more than 11,600 children rely on Head Start services every year, and the program supports over 5,000 jobs. Head Start provides child care, early education, nutrition, and health services to children in low-income households, while also offering parents opportunities for employment and education.

“As a mom, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find safe, affordable childcare, and for far too many families, it is nearly impossible,” said Pettersen. “Head Start is an essential support for our kids and families to help bring financial independence and give our kids the best shot at success. Gutting funding for this program will have a cascading impact on our local economy, workforce, and our kids’ future and disproportionately impact our rural communities.”

In a letter, the Members shared, “Colorado families face a child care crisis: child care is neither affordable nor accessible, and most families face a lengthy enrollment waitlist. The elimination of Head Start funding would further imperil an already fragile state of affairs – particularly for rural communities, where local child care facilities are often oversubscribed or nonexistent. Head Start facilities often serve as the only affordable option.”

The Members continued, “Since the 1990s, the cost of child care has more than tripled, outpacing wages, the cost of groceries, and even housing. Reducing critical funding for Head Start would reverse decades of bipartisan investment in children amidst a cost-of-living crisis, compounding potential harm for working families.”

“This isn’t about politics. It’s about kids,” said Heather Frenz, executive director of the Colorado Head Start Association. “Colorado’s families need Head Start now more than ever. Eliminating this program would be a devastating blow — and it’s simply unacceptable.”

Signers of the letter include Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Jason Crow (CO-06). 

Full text of the letter can be found HERE.