Kids Count Data Center

The nation's recent economic problems underscore the urgency of addressing the challenges that low-income families face.  The current economic downturn will exacerbate what already are troubling trends in Colorado -- namely, that too many children in the state live in poverty and these numbers are growing rapidly.  In Colorado, over 87,000 more children lived in poverty in 2007 than did in 2000.  Approximately 74,000 (84 percent) of these additional children in poverty live in six counties in the Denver metro area. 

The causes of childhood poverty are complex and include factors outside the control of local officials, including economic, demographic, and educational dynamics taking place at the international, national, state, local and individual levels.  Understanding, however, where these children are living is essential to effectively targeting policies and resources to help them.  And, while Colorado's growth of children in poverty has occurred primarily along the Front Range in recent years, many rural counties have higher percentages of children in poverty over a longer period of time.  Clearly, the issue of children living in poverty is a statewide concern.

To read more click here to access the recently published Children's Campaign publication.
Childhood Poverty in Colorado:  A Closer Look at a Statewide Challenge

The 2009 KidsCount in Colorado! report was released June 16, 2009.  Access the full report at:
2009 KidsCount in Colorado!