Congressman Neguse Tours Early Learning Center in Fort Collins, Works to Advance Universal Preschool Proposal

See photos of the visits here.

Fort Collins, CO— Last week, Congressman Joe Neguse toured the Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center in Fort Collins to speak about his vision to enact universal preschool nationwide and lower the cost of child care for American families. This comes shortly after he unveiled his Opportunity for All Agenda to support a fair shot for all Colorado students pre-k through college. His plan includes proposals to ensure no family pays more than 7% of their income for care and expanded universal preschool provisions for all 3 and 4-year-olds. As the father of a 3-year-old, Congressman Neguse has been a vocal advocate for universal preschool, and partnered with the Biden Administration on proposals that support workers and families.

“As a father, I know how instrumental early childhood education is in our kids' lives. Through my time in Congress I’ve worked to expand funding for Head Start and lower the cost of child care across the board for Colorado parents,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “As we partner with the Biden Administration to build a better America, major investments in early learning and lowering the cost of childcare for working families have to be front and center. Investing in our kids is an investment in our future.”

Congressman Neguse secured $11 billion for Head Start, and $6.2 billion for Child Care Development Block Grants in the recently-enacted Appropriations package.

Also on Friday, Neguse toured the Colorado State University Engineering center alongside faculty members and currently enrolled students from both CSU and Adams State University, which are in the process of creating a joint bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering thanks to the $1 million in federal funding Neguse recently secured. The program expands STEM Education to historically underserved students in rural Colorado.

Congressman Neguse’s “Opportunity for All” Agenda was developed from conversations with students, teachers, parents, child care workers, schools board members and universities across the 2nd Congressional District. The plan would lower child care costs and enact universal preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds, ensuring every child has access to high-quality early education; address teacher attrition and underfunded special education programs at K-12 schools, and help every college student obtain a college degree that best prepares them for the future.

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