Hello Early Childhood Stakeholders,

 The Early Childhood Council of La Plata County and La Plata Economic Development Alliance (Alliance) are excited to share a summary of the 2026 Implementation activities of the La Plata Early Childcare Strategic Investment Plan:

• Capital and Infrastructure Investment Fund to increase childcare capacity, strategies that have launched:
  • The Childcare Capital and Infrastructure Fund was launched in January 2026 by First Southwest Bank, which opened the application for the Capital & Infrastructure Loan program with La Plata County as its inaugural partner. These loans will be available to rural communities across the state to increase access to financing for childcare businesses (see the attached flyer).  Huge thanks to First Southwest Bank and Gary Community Ventures for the innovative financing strategy to increase capacity of childcare infrastructure!
  • The Early Childhood Council is working with the Board of County Commissioners to develop a spending plan for the La Plata County Lodging Tax revenue that was collected in 2025. The BOCC is working on a plan to deploy the revenue to address local childcare needs as allowable under the reallocation passed by voters in November 2024. Thank you, Commissioners & Megan Graham for your collaboration!
  • The Alliance secured funding for a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) project through the Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Financial Services 2026 Appropriations bills that have now been signed into law. The CDS will fund an early childcare center project in Bayfield at a level of $2,000,000. Thank you, Senator Michael Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper for sponsoring this request!
  • Three childcare programs or classrooms are currently in development or expanding to open 88 new childcare spots in Fall 2026! Congratulations to the Powerhouse, Explorers Early Childhood Education & Ignacio Early Learning Program’s Infant Room! It has been a privilege to partner and support each of your organizations. The Early Childhood Council of La Plata County will continue to be a resource as you open your doors.

• Childcare Investment Fund to improve workforce recruitment and retention, strategies that have launched:
  • The Childcare Investment Fund was launched in October 2025 through an initial generous donation from the Michael and Elaine Morovan Family Foundation. Since its launch, the fund has received $95,000 in matching commitments from local businesses, individual and philanthropic donors.  
  • The Early Childhood Council and the Alliance continue to recruit business investment in the Childcare Investment Fund (see attached flyer). The founding business investor committed in November 2025! Thank you, Michael Hennon, CEO & the Payroll Department for leading the way and being the first to take the leap to contribute to this important work!
  • The Early Childhood Council has secured an additional commitment of $75,000 matching funds to double any local business or employer investments in the Childcare Investment Fund. Contributions to the fund that range in level from $250 to $150,000 will qualify for the Colorado Childcare Contribution Tax Credit!
  • The Early Childhood Council is working with the Durango City Council to establish an MOU to accept the $260,000 of discretionary Municipal Lodging Tax revenue included in the City’s 2026 budget as an investment in the Childcare Investment Fund. More details will come as we have them. Thank you, City Council Members, and City of Durango staff for advocating for this investment in our local early childcare system!

Have questions or would like to invest in this local effort to improve the early childhood system in La Plata County? Connect at: 970-247-0760 or heatherh@ecclaplata.org