HomeMy WebLinkAbout970315.tiffCCI
Colorado Counties, Inc.
1177 Grant Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
(303) 861-4076 • Fax (303) 861-2818
MEMORANDUM
TO: Boards of County Commissioners
FROM: John (Chip) Taylor
RE: Child Day Care - Survey
DATE: January 10, 1997
77 WIT; 11r
CLERK
TO TH7 ._ ..
74
As many of you may already be aware, the governor's Business Commission on
Child Care Financing submitted its report on child care in the state of Colorado in
December of 1995. One of the recommendations made in that report was that "special
attention" be given "immediately to removing existing local governmental impediments to
establishing on -site or near -site child care facilities." At a recent meeting with a
representative of the Business Commission, it appeared that the commission was desirous
of legislation that would preempt local zoning authority as it relates to in -home day care.
At that meeting, a commitment was expressed by the local government organizations to
get together and create a task force to look at options for overcoming local obstacles
without the need for the somewhat draconian preemption proposal.
On behalf of CCI, I recently met with representatives from the Colorado Municipal
League and the state Department of Human Services to discuss the creation of the task
force and the directions it should receive. In the course of this meeting, it became clear
that there is insufficient data to determine whether there is a systemic problem or whether
the situations that have come to light represent exceptions to the general practice of local
governments throughout the state. Because of this lack of data it is difficult to ascertain
who should be part of the task force and what the task force's mission should be. In
addition, if the task force is to make supportable recommendations, it needs to have data
on which to base them.
Therefore, a survey is being prepared to acquire information concerning building.
fire, and planning codes; enforcement and/or inspection mechanisms; and licensing
requirements. Once this information is compiled, CCI, CML, and Human Services will get
together to identify appropriate members and a general mission for the task force. if that is
i + ntt -Chin Chi ten:un. Douglas County • First Vice President R.A. "RikkiSautarelli, Gunnison County • Second Vice President Rod Hines, Saguache County
/ A /1 di id Vice I r std: n Mark A. Arndt Morgan County P i.nli Vice R s+dent loleinette Phillips, Eagle County • Treasurer Barbara KirAmeyer, Weld County
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970315
appropriate based on the responses received. In addition, the Department of Human
Services will conduct a separate survey of child care providers to ascertain whether they
can identify specific problems that should be addressed. This information will also be
available to the task force.
It is anticipated that the survey will be sent out (from the Department of Human
Services) at the end of this month and that at least two weeks will be available to complete
it. Please take the time to respond. It will greatly help the task force in studying the
current system and recommending options that will benefit children throughout the state
and preserve county and municipal planning and zoning authority.
If you have questions or comments about the survey, the task force, or other
matters relating to this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me at CCI.
cc: Social Service Directors
Planners/Planning & Zoning
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