Reputable sociologists and economists agree on one problem. The decline of the traditional two-parent family with children threatens our country’s economic and cultural future.

Policymakers can address substance abuse, crime, illiteracy, poverty and economic struggles for the middle class as individual dilemmas but cannot adequately resolve these ills without addressing the crisis of the family.

In Colorado, the problem is stark. The average age of the population is rising faster than the national average, and the state’s fertility and birth rates in recent years have ranked among the 10 lowest among states.

The Common Sense Institute’s August report, “The Child Care Opportunity Index,” lays bare a key component to Colorado’s loss of families with children. The report details Colorado’s child care crisis, with costs consuming 18% to 25% of household income in the state’s 10 largest counties, far exceeding the federal 7% affordability benchmark.

“The challenge of child care is reported by young adults as a prime reason for not having children,” the report states.

In Weld County, families spend $1,400 monthly, 25% of their $5,600 income, while Denver parents pay $1,600, or 18% of $8,600. Half of Colorado’s communities are “child care deserts,” with only two licensed “slots” for every three children under 6, and places like Pueblo County offer only 0.29 openings per child.

The report defines “slots” as spaces in state-licensed child care facilities, including child care centers and family child care homes, that are available to serve children, typically under age 6, whose parents are in the workforce.

These shortages and costs sideline 10,200 mothers from the workforce and cost Colorado’s economy billions annually.

Regulatory reform might be critical. Colorado’s stringent licensing and staff-to-child ratio rules inflate costs, forcing providers to charge unaffordable rates. Streamlining these regulations would lower overhead, enabling providers to offer care at prices families can bear without compromising quality and safety.

Expanding the supply of licensed child care slots is urgent, especially in areas such as Summit and Eagle counties, where costs hit 38.2% of income. Incentives for new providers, such as tax breaks or startup grants, could address the 51% of Colorado classified as child care deserts.

Supporting the child care workforce is essential. Low wages — often below $15 per hour — drive high turnover that exacerbates shortages.

Public and private investment must grow. Though not mentioned in the report, Gerber’s new Parent-Friendly Pursuit, advocating for workplace child care and longer paid parental leave, sets a model for private employers. It is the private empower, indeed, that needs this problem resolved to retain talent and boost productivity.

Companies like Patagonia, with on-site child care, show how such investments reduce turnover and attract workers, with 60% of part-time parents ready to return full time when provided affordable care.

Community-specific solutions are also essential to solving this problem. Tax credits, such as an enhanced Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, could further empower families.

The child care shortage must be addressed in ways that prioritize economic freedom over failed mandates such as imposed family leave, which have done little to help.

By embracing deregulation, workforce support, investment, and localized strategies, Colorado can make child care accessible, strengthen families and secure a prosperous future. It might not be a panacea to all that ails us, but it could be a giant step in the right direction.

The Gazette Editorial Board