EPIC is a group of prestigious business executives partnering to invest in children. As leaders in their companies and industries, our Members are leaving a legacy of true impact and lasting change.
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Need help developing ideas or implementing new workforce supports? EPIC offers consulting services to employers and community organizations for specialized projects related to child care initiatives and project implementation.
Past projects include working with employers to implement new child care incentives during open enrollment and supporting the successful design, regulatory approval, and launch of on-site child care services for employees.
COLORADO TAX CREDIT
Did you know in Colorado individuals and businesses can claim a 50% state income tax credit for qualified contributions to child care providers up to $200,000?
Colorado leads the nation in providing a tax-advantaged tool for child care through the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCTC) used to:
BUILDING UP INITIATIVE
To reverse the trend of child care program closures and the disappearance of child care slots across Colorado, we are taking action to change the child care business model in a way that supports a healthy, sustainable bottom line while ensuring high quality early learning experiences for children and the ability for families to work.
Working to decrease the expenses and increase access to start-up capital and revenues will allow businesses to meet their workforce needs by providing quality child care and long-term early learning services.
Affordable & Secure Real Estate
Capital Financing & Fund Development
Regulatory Alignment & Innovation
We are inviting business leaders from real estate development, homebuilding, finance, construction and other industries along with philanthropic, governmental, non-profit partners and child care business operators working within the sector to join us to create innovative solutions that will improve access to affordable, high quality child care and early learning.
KEEP THE LIGHTS ON
COVID-19 shined a spotlight on the fragility of the early care and education sector. With the risk of the pandemic decimating entire industries, we consulted and helped coordinate, and navigate for COVID response entities such as the Colorado Emergency Child Care Collaborative and the Keep the Lights On Fund.
The EPIC team helped alleviate supply chain issues for child care business owners by convening partners at The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Mile High United Way and other organizations to fund and coordinate the purchase and distribution of over $170,000 in cleaning and sanitation supplies.
To meet this critical need, a public-private partnership effort was established with the goal of providing 1) cleaning supplies and 2) direct financial assistance to licensed family child care homes, centers, and school-age programs statewide, and thus “keep the lights on”.
It takes all of us – nonprofits, philanthropy, government, and business leaders – to help stabilize these vital small businesses and reduce further closures. To get involved or learn more please visit Mile High United Way.
EPIC has championed and contributed to the passage of successful legislation in Colorado that led to the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCTC) and Funding for Full-day Kindergarten.
We are actively advocating for:
We invite policy makers, legislators, lobbyists, and advocates — those who support families and economic growth – to join our cause, advance policies and build infrastructure that supports the workforce of today while developing the workforce of tomorrow.
PROPOSITION EE
EPIC is supporting Proposition EE, which will appear on the November ballot for all Colorado voters.
Proposition EE would tax tobacco and vaping products to boost public health, support public K-12 schools, and provide universal preschool in Colorado.
Proposition EE is a win-win-win for Colorado because it would:
ADMENDMENT B
EPIC has also endorsed and taken a position of support for Amendment B, which would repeal the Gallagher Amendment in the Colorado State Constitution.
When the Gallagher Amendment was first adopted, residential properties were valued at $35 billion, or 53% of all the value in the state. In 2019, Colorado’s residential properties had a total market value of $874 billion, or nearly 80% of the property value in the state. That means local businesses, commercial properties, and farmers are paying 55% of the property taxes when they have just 20% of the value.
Many small child care businesses struggle to make ends meet and are impacted by Colorado’s high commercial property taxes, and the COVID pandemic has created significant concern around the impacts of the projected revenue shortfalls on Colorado’s education system.
Already faced with making $1 billion in cuts to our K-12 schools next year as the state responds to the pandemic and economic downtown, Gallagher would require the state to come up with an additional $490 million for schools – meaning deeper cuts to other areas of the budget like higher education and transportation. Amendment B would repeal the Gallagher Amendment.
What People
