U.S. Senator Discusses Child Care Challenges in Grand Junction

Hickenlooper meets with local nonprofits to address funding gaps and labor issues impacting the industry.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:07pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a single-story child care center building with large windows, set against a backdrop of warm, golden sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the challenges facing the industry.As federal funding for child care programs remains uncertain, a local nonprofit center in Grand Junction struggles to keep its doors open and serve the community's families.Grand Junction Today

U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper visited the Confluence Center in Grand Junction, Colorado to meet with local nonprofits and discuss the rising costs of child care. The visit focused on federal funding challenges facing various state assistance programs, such as the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (C-CAP), and the labor challenges the industry is facing with low wages for early childhood educators.

Why it matters

Access to affordable and quality child care is a critical issue for families and the local economy. The senator's visit highlights the ongoing struggles that child care providers and low-income families face due to funding gaps and workforce challenges in the industry.

The details

During the visit, Hickenlooper toured the Confluence Center, which houses six local nonprofits, and participated in a roundtable discussion. Much of the discussion centered on the impact of recent shifts in federal financial support for programs like C-CAP, which helps eligible families cover child care costs. Local parents and child care providers noted that the lack of funding limits available spots because centers struggle to remain solvent without those dollars. The roundtable also highlighted the low wages for child care educators, who earn an average of $15 to $18 per hour, and the link between educator support and student success.

  • Hickenlooper visited the Confluence Center in Grand Junction on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • The senator's visit concluded his tour of Colorado's Western Slope.

The players

John Hickenlooper

A U.S. Senator representing Colorado.

Shanae Mundee

A local parent who discussed the impact of funding changes on low-income families in Mesa County.

Kelsey Petersen-Hardie

The director of STREAM Preschool, who emphasized the link between educator support and student success.

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What they’re saying

“'C-Cap got a punch to the gut. And when the federal government has been pulling money back in every different direction out of Colorado and the president has been open in his disdain for the federal funding, any kind of child care.'”

— John Hickenlooper, U.S. Senator

“'It affects the spots that are being filled and the money that is flowing into the child care system in Mesa County, which is limiting spots available because these centers maybe can't afford to stay open because these spots aren't getting filled without those cap dollars.'”

— Shanae Mundee, Local parent

“'We know through extensive research that the more education an early childhood educator has, the better child outcomes come from that.'”

— Kelsey Petersen-Hardie, Director of STREAM Preschool

What’s next

Hickenlooper is currently sponsoring the Child Care Modernization Act, which is intended to rebuild federal support and assist communities in building new child care facilities. The senator emphasized that a comprehensive solution involving all levels of government and the business community is required to address the ongoing challenges in the child care industry.

The takeaway

The senator's visit to Grand Junction highlights the critical need for increased federal and state support to ensure access to affordable and quality child care. The funding gaps and workforce challenges facing the industry are longstanding issues that require a multi-pronged approach to find sustainable solutions.