Solicitation for Second Round of Employer-based Child Care Facility Grants Begins

May 22, 2022

As part of its mission, the Northwest Colorado Development Council, NWCDC, shares information about child care resources and funding that will improve access to affordable child care in our region.

The State of Colorado recently released a Request for Proposal for the second round of Employer-based Child Care Facility Grants. The grants will provide up to half a million dollars to fund the construction, renovation, or retrofitting of a childcare center on the site or near to the site of the eligible entity's property to provide licensed childcare services to their employees. 

Eligible employers or a group of employers are non-profit, for-profit or governmental entities. The grant requires a minimum of 50% match for for-profit companies and a minimum of a 25% match for non-profit and governmental entities. The deadline to submit the proposal to the Colorado Department of Human Services is June 15th, 2022 at 11:00 am. 

"NWCDC recognizes the importance of having accessible and affordable child care in our communities," said Tim Redmond, NWCDC Chair. "Our three-county, northwest Colorado region suffers from a lack of child care capacity which has exacerbated workforce shortages and burdened many of our working families. This state grant of up to half a million dollars can help an employer or a group of employers thinking about offering child care to develop an employer-based child care facility. Having child care on-site can help employers attract and retain employees."

According to First Impressions Early Childhood Council, Congressional District 3, which includes Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties, has the biggest gap in child care services at 45.1%. That means 45.1% of families who need child care can’t find affordable services.  Families with infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2) have the hardest time finding child care services, where the slots are very limited.   

Data analysis, compiled by NWCDC and Department of Local Affairs consultants, shows a big gap between the number of children (ages 0-4) who may need child care services and the number of slots available in Routt, Rio Blanco, and Moffat Counties.  

child to childcare chart


General Eligibility for the Employer-based Child Care Facilities Grants

An eligible entity (applicant) is an employer who will be providing child care to its employees. If an entity partners with additional employers or a child care service provider to operate the child care program, the match requirement will still be based on the non-profit or for-profit status of the employer(s) involved. This grant is for non-child care employers.

  • Applications should be for one child care location, even if multiple employers are involved.

  • If a child care provider is an operational partner, they should not be the lead applicant. The applicant should be the eligible entity as described above.

Important Dates:

  • Questions to the Department for Human Services: May 27th at 11:00 AM MST
  • Proposal Due Date: June 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM MST
  • Public Opening: June 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM MST
  • Anticipated Contract Start Date: July 1, 2022
  • Anticipated Contract Term: July 1, 2022- June 30, 2023

To download the RFP along with its 7 required Exhibits, log on https://codpa-vss.cloud.cgifederal.com/webapp/PRDVSS2X1/AltSelfService,  click on the "public access" button, and search for Employer-based Child Care Facility Grants. For more information, contact Austin Tuttle, Colorado Department of Human Services, at austin.tuttle@state.co.us

About NWCDC
Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) is an intergovernmental agreement between Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and their communities to work together for regional economic development. The NWCDC focuses on economic diversification and resiliency, workforce development, affordable housing, accessible child care, and improved regional transportation.