The West Steps

Latest Episodes:

Solving our school funding formula Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

In a time when students’ needs are only increasing, school funding is more important than ever. Currently, the level of funding for schools in Colorado depends largely on property wealth. This is primarily an unintended result of how Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment, which restricted the amount of revenue the state collected and spent, was implemented. Over time, this has created enormous inequities in the way our state collects and spends money in school districts. The pandemic has only widened these inequities and led to more budget cuts, making this a critical issue in our current legislative session.

Our school funding formula is undoubtedly complex. However, Leslie Colwell joins us in episode 7 to help answer all our questions. In this week’s discussion on The West Steps, Leslie simplifies the structural factors that have compounded over time to create our highly inequitable school funding system. Join us for an informative overview of the current issues facing school funding, how they came to be, and the proposed bill that could begin to correct this issue. Students deserve access to high quality education no matter where they live, making it especially important to continue advocating for bills such as this one in order to ensure all students benefit from state funding.

To read more about this bill and its journey through the legislature, click here.

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Let’s talk tax policy, but make it fun! Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) are the two most effective tools we have to lift children out of poverty. But what are they, exactly? In summary, these tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the income tax someone owes to the federal or state government. By either reducing the amount of money owed or providing refundable credits, these tax programs create lifelong benefits for kids and families. Currently, tax code in Colorado is highly inequitable and often benefits those who do not need it. By advocating for an expansion of EITC and CTC this legislative session, we can take one step toward more equitable access for those who need it most.

Sarah Barnes and Esther Turcios break down these two highly beneficial tax codes in episode 6 of The West Steps. After providing an overview of both the EITC and CTC, Sarah and Esther detail current opportunities for expansion at the state level, and recent changes at the federal level. By centering equity in tax policy, we can begin to dismantle the racist roots of our tax code and use tax dollars in a more broadly beneficial way. Interested in being a part of the conversation? Click here to find ways to support and engage with the Colorado Fiscal Institute and their current tax policy initiatives.

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The state of reproductive justice in Colorado Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Kids exist in the context of their families, which is why it is especially important for our state and federal government to strive towards a well-funded, holistic, systems-based approach to health care and family planning access. The current patchwork system of family planning services in Colorado is not only inequitable and underfunded, but also demonstrates the negative impacts of racism in our country and the way it excludes women-- especially women of color and women with low incomes-- in accessing adequate health care. When we don’t create programs that are accessible for all, we fail our kids and families. The current issues our state faces in establishing efficient family planning access demands policymakers to take a human-centered approach in creating navigable paths to accessibility for all.

In episode 5 of The West Steps, we welcome three guests for a detailed explanation of Colorado’s current family planning system and the many inequities that continue to exist within it. Erin Miller, Jack Teter, and Karla Gonzales Garcia bring their knowledge and experiences to a conversation surrounding the lack of accessibility in family planning services and the potential solutions we could expect to see as a result of the current legislation. While family planning services are often viewed as complex issues, Erin, Jack, and Karla help bring listeners to a greater understanding of the ways in which these services should be established as an embodiment of reproductive justice supporting individuals in their right to bodily autonomy.

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What is advocacy and why should you care? Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

Legislators often don’t hear from those most affected by the policies they choose to support. However, by sharing our personal stories, concerns, and experiences, we can be advocates for ourselves and our communities. As the pandemic continues to affect kids and families across the nation, it is more important than ever to speak up for the issues impacting those around us—and it doesn't’ take much to get started. A simple phone call to your legislator or email to an organization that works on issues you care about is all it takes to do your part on behalf of your community. So, what are you waiting for? Speak up today!

Jacy Montoya Price, Advocacy Director for the Colorado Children’s Campaign; and Christina Walker, Directory of Policy and Advocacy at Clayton Early Learning Center, are both strong believers in the importance of getting people’s voices heard. In episode 4 of The West Steps, we are joined by both Jacy and Christina in discussing the basics of advocacy, how to overcome intimidation when addressing policymakers, and what steps listeners can take to become advocates in their community. Interested in learning more? Join us for our 10th annual Speak up for Kids Day at the Capitol on March 18. Take the first step in becoming a more effective advocate for kids by registering here.

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Hunger reaches an all-time high in Colorado Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

While food is a basic necessity we need to live and survive, it is so much more than that when considering a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. One in seven Colorado kids faced hunger before the pandemic, and this number has only worsened in the past year. Approximately 38 percent of Coloradans are food insecure, the greatest rate since the Great Depression. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic has left many parents struggling to put food on the table, and this issue continues to persist as many remain unemployed. Nourishing meals are essential for kids to thrive, and it is critical that legislators, community organizations, and school districts continue to work toward providing students with access to food throughout the pandemic.

In the third episode of The West Steps’ third season, Stephanie Perez-Carrillo provides an overview of the concerns and consequences of food insecurity in Colorado. The compounding issues children have faced as a result of hunger during the pandemic are immeasurable and have the potential to affect them in ways beyond just their physical health. To learn more about the resources available for those living in hunger, or to find ways you can help, visit:

Colorado Food Finder: https://www.cofoodfinder.org/

Colorado PEAK (to check eligibility): https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/

Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: https://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/food-resource-hotline/

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What is happening with child care in Colorado? Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the adage “everyone relies on someone who relies on child care” is more true than ever. Both our emergency response and economic recovery hinge on child care. When our essential workforce lacks access to child care, staffing shortages in health care, food service, agriculture, and emergency response are likely. But our child care providers have worked diligently to remain open, safely, throughout the pandemic so that parents can work and children can benefit from stimulating early care and learning environments. Similarly, Colorado’s economic recovery will hinge on ensuring people can get back to work. Access to child care is a necessary work support and disruptions in care arrangements or inability to find child care disproportionately harms workforce participation among women and people of color. Unfortunately, the higher costs of operation, the reduced revenue due to payment policies tied to child attendance, and low levels of public investment have pushed the child care industry to the brink. Many providers are struggling to keep their doors open and, sadly, many have closed their doors permanently.

This week on The West Steps, we are joined by Bill Jaeger and Melissa Mares, who discuss the need for a more accessible systems approach to early child care. Want to learn more about ways you can engage and advocate for better early child care and education in Colorado? contact Melissa (melissa@coloradokids.org) or Bill (bill@coloradokids.org) for more information.
Subscribe to our KidsFlash newsletter here. You can also keep up with our update of al the bills on child care and early childhood here

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The Colorado General Assembly is back-- so are we Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

Welcome back to The West Steps. Season 3 kicks off with a conversation of the 2021 legislative session and the new power dynamics, opportunities, and obstacles accompanying political affairs in the midst of a global pandemic. Riley Kitts, Government Affairs Director, joins us on episode one for an informative overview of the current state of politics in Colorado, and ways in which Coloradans can take action to improve the lives of kids across the state.

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Returning to child care in a pandemic Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

Opening a child care center is hard enough in normal times. But with the economic and health crisis of COVID-19, starting a care center becomes truly monumental task. This week on The West Steps, our special guest takes us through the challenges and barriers child care providers face in the time of the coronavirus.

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Our individual actions to ensure Black Lives Matter Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

“Everything we see we have designed. And everything we see, we can redesign.” At the Children’s Campaign we work every day on changing systems to be more just. But we are also a group of individuals taking individual steps to move our communities toward racial justice. We are in the fight for the Black Lives Matter movement to ensure our collective liberation. We offer these reflections on our journey toward racial justice to inspire others to find a way to join us.

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Digital divide erodes to new depths during pandemic May 22, 2020

Show notes

Kids of all ages, geographies and backgrounds use the Internet. They have smart phones and get online whenever and wherever they can—except at home. Limited or no broadband Internet access in the home i challenging for many families right now who are trying to educate their kids remotely. Colorado data show that children of color are more likely to live in homes without internet access or with limited access, and this inequity is likely to impact academic performance. Erica Manoatl and Stephanie Perez-Carrillo join us to explore the research, problems and solutions around Colorado’s digital divide, which is getting new attention in the age of COVID-19.

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