Colorado Recognized as National Leader in Innovative Family Support Strategies
New Report from Aspen Institute Highlights Colorado’s Visionary Work in Early Childhood and Two-Generation Approaches
DENVER, CO – Colorado is being recognized as a national model for its innovative and integrated approaches to supporting children and families, according to a new report released by Ascend at the Aspen Institute. The report, The 2Gen Investment Case: Making the Most of Capital in All Its Forms, documents over $500 million in two-generation (2Gen) investments across the country and prominently features Colorado for its trailblazing leadership in early childhood systems and family-centered strategies.
“Colorado is focused on breaking down barriers to education and saving families money. We are proud of the progress we’ve made to support children and families, from free preschool and kindergarten to many other important efforts. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to make Colorado the best state to start and raise a family,” said Governor Jared Polis.
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) is at the forefront of implementing 2Gen approaches that link high-quality early learning with support for parents and caregivers—affirming the state's belief that supporting the entire family is key to unlocking economic mobility and long-term success.
“Colorado’s commitment to innovative, whole-family strategies continues to set a national standard,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “This recognition underscores our understanding that children thrive when their families thrive. By aligning early learning, health, and economic supports, we’re building stronger communities and a more resilient future for our state—one generation at a time.”
The report highlights several Colorado-led efforts that demonstrate how strategic public investment, cross-agency coordination, and flexible grantmaking can drive real impact. These include:
- State-Level Investment & Strategy – Featuring Colorado's $1 million 2Gen Opportunities Pilot Program and a coordinated approach that spans policymaking, grantmaking, and agency collaboration.
- Early Childhood Systems Alignment – Citing Colorado’s leadership in aligning health and early childhood systems to better support children from birth through age five.
- Federal Partnership Leadership – Showcasing Colorado’s role in national initiatives like the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) program.
- Innovation and Impact – Lifting up how flexible grant design and community-informed strategies create more equitable pathways to opportunity for families.
“Investing in young children and families is paramount to the health and success of our communities and country,” says Anne Mosle, Vice President of the Aspen Institute and Founder and Executive Director of Ascend at the Aspen Institute. “2Gen approaches offer powerful, proven, and nonpartisan investment opportunities to improve the economic well-being of current and future generations. Philanthropy has a responsibility to stand in the gap and support nonprofits’ 2Gen work during this period of uncertainty and anxiety at the federal level, and they can solidify progress with their many forms of capital – whether that’s human, intellectual, social, or financial capital. There is much more to be done, and we hope this report serves as a roadmap for an exponential increase in investments to make children’s and families’ well-being one of our greatest achievements.”
The 2Gen framework, championed by Ascend, integrates supports for children and adults through aligned systems and services in areas such as early childhood development, education, health, and workforce pathways—ensuring families are positioned for long-term success.
CDEC remains committed to advancing these evidence-based approaches in collaboration with local, state, and national partners, and will continue leading the way in building a unified, equitable early childhood system for all Colorado families.
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