Colorado § 26.5-1-303 - Early childhood leadership commission - duties.

§ 26.5-1-303. Early childhood leadership commission - duties.

(1) In addition to other duties specified in law, the commission has the following duties:

(a) To identify opportunities for, and barriers to, the alignment of standards, rules, policies, and procedures across programs and agencies that support young children and to recommend to the appropriate committees of reference of the general assembly pursuant to part 2 of article 7 of title 2 and to government and nonprofit agencies and policy boards changes to enhance the alignment and provision of services and supports for pregnant women and young children and their families;

(b) To advise and make recommendations to the department and to other relevant early childhood entities concerning implementation of the early childhood Colorado framework;

(c) To assist public and private agencies in coordinating efforts on behalf of pregnant women and children and their families, including securing funding and additional investments for services, programs, and access to these services and programs for children and their families;

(d) To consider and recommend waivers from state regulations on behalf of early childhood councils as provided in section 26.5-2-207;

(e) To monitor the ongoing development, promotion, and implementation of:

(I) A quality, cohesive professional development and career advancement system;

(II) High-quality, comprehensive early learning standards; and

(III) The sharing and use of common data for planning and accountability among early childhood programs;

(f) To develop strategies and monitor efforts concerning:

(I) Increasing children's school readiness;

(II) Increasing participation in and access to child care and early education programs;

(III) Promoting family and community engagement in children's early education and development; and

(IV) Maintaining a comprehensive and cohesive system of early childhood supports across various domains.

(2) In fulfilling its duties, the commission shall collaborate, at a minimum, with:

(a) Members of the early childhood councils established pursuant to section 26.5-2-203;

(b) Other boards, commissions, and councils that address services and supports for pregnant women and young children; and

(c) Other state and local agencies involved in the delivery of early childhood or human services programs or services.

Source: L. 2021: Entire title added, (HB 21-1304), ch. 307, p. 1852, § 4, effective July 1, 2022. L. 2022: (1)(d) and (2)(a) amended, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 860, § 107, effective July 1. L. 2026: IP(1), (1)(f)(II), (1)(f)(III), (2)(a), and (2)(b) amended and (1)(f)(IV) and (2)(c) added, (HB 26-1259), ch. 119, p. 504, § 3, effective May 5.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 26-6.2-104 as it existed prior to 2021.