Early Childhood Colorado Framework

The Early Childhood Colorado Framework creates a shared vision for Colorado where all children are valued, healthy, and thriving. Since 2008, the state’s early childhood community has embraced the Framework as a guiding tool to build a strong and equitable early childhood system designed to provide a comprehensive range of high-quality supports during this most critical time of life. The Framework was most recently revised in 2023 and takes into account the most recent advances, as well as the ongoing challenges, in the state. The refresh brought renewed energy toward the bold and common goal to create a Colorado where every child is able to thrive.

Download the full refreshed Framework in
English, Spanish, and Arabic.

The framework includes principles, a strong system to lead to outcomes and a vision for the future of Colorado.

FRAMEWORK TOOLS & RESOURCES

Full Framework: English | Spanish | Arabic
Download and print the Framework or incorporate into your website or collateral.

Framework Poster: English | Spanish
The poster shows the Theory of Change. It is a great visual to include in presentations or to print and display.

Framework Brochure: English | Spanish
This is a printable folded brochure showing the Theory of Change.

Framework Materials Toolkit
This folder contains all documents to support partners to share and use the Early Childhood Colorado Framework.

Framework Graphics
Utilize icons and graphics for documents, reports or presentations.

Framework Communication Tools
This toolkit contains sample newsletter language, social media posts, and graphics to use when sharing the Framework.

Framework Sample Slides
Use these slides for your next board meeting or event. We encourage partners to adapt, imbed and co-brand this presentation to best fit your audience.

Framework Talking Points
Use these talking points when presenting on the Framework or sharing it with your network.

Overview of the 2023 Refresh
This overview explains the process of refreshing the Framework and details the changes made.

Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ answers key question about the Framework and the 2023 refresh.

What is it?

The Early Childhood Colorado Framework is a shared vision for Colorado, designed to promote action and dialogue about the future of young children across the state. It offers a broad, yet ambitious theory of change that is grounded in values, a strong early childhood system, and improved outcomes to give our children the strongest start possible. It includes guiding principles, a visual definition of a strong early childhood system including program domains and infrastructural elements, desired outcomes, and a shared vision.

how to use it - Our role in building Colorado’s future

Every Coloradan has a role to play in making our state the best place for children to grow and learn. Success requires shared accountability and commitment on behalf of all young children and their families. The Early Childhood Colorado Framework provides a unifying model to envision what a more equitable and hopeful future would look like if all of Colorado’s children are valued, healthy, and thriving. It is our collective actions that will contribute to building a stronger Colorado where young children are able to develop to their fullest potential and lead the way to a brighter tomorrow.

Framework History

Originally developed in 2008 as a guide for comprehensive early childhood systems work in Colorado, the Framework has been used by state and local early childhood stakeholders as a resource to help identify needs, guide planning and decision making, and build partnerships. Colorado’s innovative and bold leadership in securing investments, increasing efficiencies, and launching new initiatives for early childhood inspired leaders to refresh the tool in 2023.

The refresh process engaged more than 600 people to offer insights, provide feedback, and serve as valuable thought partners. Families and caregivers, child care providers, educators, school district staff, county leaders, health care professionals, community advocates, business leaders, policy makers, funders, and a diverse range of other early childhood leaders brought their stories, hopes, and wisdom to the important work of helping to set the course and effectively move into a preferred future for Colorado’s young children and families. The process advanced with the support and leadership of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission. In August 2023, the ECLC unanimously endorsed the refreshed Framework as the state's new vision to carry us forward.