Colorado Moms Spotlight Child Care Challenges Through Storytelling Project

Advocates say rising costs and limited options are driving a new initiative to spur change.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A group of Colorado moms, through the Denver chapter of the Chamber of Mothers, is launching a storytelling project to highlight the growing challenges families face when it comes to child care in the state. The project, funded by Gary Community Ventures, aims to collect 40-50 stories about affordability, accessibility, waitlists, and limited options to show the full range of impacts on families.

Why it matters

Child care costs in Colorado are among the highest in the nation, with parents paying an average of $20,000 per child annually. Advocates say these rising costs, along with other hurdles like long waitlists and limited options, are forcing families to make difficult decisions about having more children. The storytelling project aims to bring attention to these issues and spur change at the state level.

The details

The Denver chapter of Chamber of Mothers is kicking off the project with a "Mom Dance Party for Childcare Change" event, where parents can share their experiences. The group plans to collect stories through interviews, listening sessions, and digital submissions over the next several months. They will then work with an advertising agency partner to amplify the stories statewide. While some local initiatives are making progress, advocates say more work is needed across Colorado to address the child care crisis, including raising wages for child care workers and expanding access to affordable, quality care.

  • The kickoff dance party event is scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2026 at 6 p.m.
  • The storytelling project will unfold in three phases, with the first phase of developing prompts and outreach plans happening in Fall 2025, the second phase of collecting 40-50 stories taking place in Winter-Spring 2026, and the third phase of finalizing story assets and amplifying them statewide happening in Summer 2026.

The players

Chamber of Mothers

A national nonprofit organization that is leading the storytelling project through its Denver chapter.

Jessica Spreitzer

The co-facilitator of the Denver chapter of Chamber of Mothers, who is overseeing the storytelling project.

Gary Community Ventures

The nonprofit organization that is providing funding for the storytelling project.

Moms Feelin' Themselves

A local nonprofit that is partnering with Chamber of Mothers on the kickoff dance party event.

Momentum

An advertising agency that will be collaborating with Chamber of Mothers to amplify the stories statewide.

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What they’re saying

“We want to get a whole range of stories to show all of the challenges. We are one of the most expensive states, and that is impacting a lot of families' decisions about whether to have another child, because it's just not possible.”

— Jessica Spreitzer, Co-facilitator of the Denver chapter of Chamber of Mothers (cbsnews.com)

“There's the financial impact, but also the mental health aspect, how that interrelates with your family and other decisions you're making. We want to capture that whole range of impacts.”

— Jessica Spreitzer, Co-facilitator of the Denver chapter of Chamber of Mothers (cbsnews.com)

“It's fantastic that we have initiatives in places like Larimer County, but all families in Colorado deserve to have these opportunities. You talk to so many people who say they pay more for child care than they do on their mortgage. It's really wild how much it has changed in the last few years.”

— Jessica Spreitzer, Co-facilitator of the Denver chapter of Chamber of Mothers (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The group is planning to collect 40-50 stories through interviews, listening sessions, and digital submissions over the next several months, with the goal of finalizing the story assets and collaborating with an advertising agency partner to amplify the stories statewide by Summer 2026.

The takeaway

This storytelling project highlights the significant challenges Colorado families face when it comes to accessing affordable, quality child care, from rising costs to limited options. By elevating these personal experiences, the advocates hope to spur meaningful change at the state level to support families and child care workers alike.