Rep. Neguse Secures $1.6 Million in Federal Funding to Expand Child Care for Families in Clear Creek County

Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse announced $1,616,279 in Community Project Funding to support the construction of Mountain Trails – Clear Creek County’s next early childhood education center. The center will provide high-quality early learning opportunities for children, help parents balance work and family responsibilities, and support economic development. Rep. Neguse successfully championed and secured the investment as part of the first set of government funding bills signed into law by President Biden on Saturday, March 9.

Families in Colorado’s rural and mountain communities are struggling with major shortages of affordable child care services. Clear Creek County currently has 8.5 times the number of infants and toddlers as it does child care slots. Mountain Trails, which will be located in the new Idaho Springs elementary school, will bring more than 60 new child care slots to the community. 

“As a parent to two young children, the fight to ensure that every family and young student in our district has the tools necessary to succeed is a personal one—and with families in our rural and mountain communities seeking to strike a balance between work and parenting, I am even more thrilled to announce this significant investment for the construction of Clear Creek County’s next early childhood education center. This center will support the development of students and the wellbeing of families, while also expanding access to affordable high-quality child care,” said Congressman Neguse. 

“The congressional funding for Mountain Trails childhood center construction will have a big impact on our community. This investment will support the learning and development of our children and allow their caregivers to increase their workforce participation. We are incredibly grateful for the support,” said Mitch Houston, Executive Director, Clear Creek Schools Foundation. 

Rep. Neguse secured additional investments for other communities in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, announcing a total of more than $11 million for 14 projects to directly benefit cities and towns in the district. 

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