For many working parents in the Estes Valley, finding childcare is only half the battle. Paying for it can be an even greater challenge.
A new program launched through a partnership between the Town of Estes Park and Northern Colorado Kids Thrive aims to ease that burden by helping eligible families pay for childcare while strengthening the area’s early childhood workforce.
The Estes Valley Childcare Fund, financed through the town’s 6E lodging tax and administered by Northern Colorado Kids Thrive, Northern Colorado Kids Thrive — formerly the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County — is now accepting applications from families with children from birth to age 5 who are enrolled in, or seeking enrollment at, a licensed childcare provider in the Estes Valley.
The program is designed to ensure that qualifying families spend no more than 10% of their household income on childcare. The fund pays the remaining costs directly to participating providers, allowing families to access care while ensuring providers receive full reimbursement.
Local officials say the initiative addresses a growing affordability gap that has left many working families without assistance.
The program arrives as Colorado’s Childcare Assistance Program, known as CCCAP, remains closed to new applicants in many areas, leaving families who earn too much to qualify for traditional subsidies — but still struggle to afford childcare — with few options.
Program administrators describe those households as the “missing middle,” families whose incomes exceed eligibility limits for public assistance but who still face significant financial strain from childcare costs.
Eligible families must have at least one parent or guardian employed in the Estes Valley. Children must be younger than kindergarten age and enrolled, or seeking enrollment, with a licensed Estes Valley childcare provider. Families currently receiving assistance through CCCAP or EVICS Tuition Assistance are not eligible for the program.
In addition to financial assistance, the initiative streamlines the search for childcare through the Larimer Childcare Connect online platform. Families can search participating providers, view program availability, apply for assistance and manage the process through a single online system.
Community leaders say expanding access to affordable childcare has benefits beyond individual families.
Reliable childcare enables parents to remain in the workforce, supports local employers struggling to recruit and retain employees, and provides stable enrollment for childcare providers, helping strengthen the community’s early childhood infrastructure.
The Estes Valley program also comes as Larimer County prepares to implement a broader investment in early childhood services.
Voters narrowly approved Ballot Measure 1B in November, authorizing a countywide 0.25% sales and use tax dedicated to expanding affordable, high-quality childcare and preschool opportunities. The tax, which took effect Jan. 1, 2026, is expected to generate about $28 million annually.
County officials are developing the systems and processes that will govern how those funds are distributed to families, providers and early childhood programs.
While that countywide initiative is still in its planning and implementation phase, the Estes Valley Childcare Fund is already providing local assistance.
Families interested in applying or learning more about eligibility requirements can click this link. Parents may also sign up to receive program updates by clicking this link.