Policy Overview

How are we doing?
Between 2008 and 2009 Colorado’s grade for children dropped from a C- to a D+. The lower grade is primarily a result of the relatively large proportion of children who are uninsured coupled with the state’s rise in childhood obesity rates. While Colorado ranks in the top half of states for the percent of children living in poverty, its rate of 15 percent is almost double that of the best state (New Hampshire).

What is Colorado doing right?
Colorado ranks 13th among all states for the percent of children living in poverty—this represents approximately one out of every seven children in Colorado. Not a statistic to be proud of, Colorado is still in the top half of states for childhood poverty rates which can be partly explained by its highly educated workforce.

Although Colorado’s childhood poverty rate is in the top tier of states, it has increased over the past decade from 13 to 15 percent, translating to an additional 19,000 children between the ages of 0-12 years living in poverty. Research shows a relationship between childhood poverty, poor health and low academic performance.   

The Colorado General Assembly passed a bill in 2009 establishing the Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force and charged it with developing a statewide plan by the end of 2010 for reducing poverty in Colorado by at least 50 percent by 2019.

Where can Colorado improve?
In 2007, over 14 percent of Colorado’s children were obese (ranking 23rd among the states) compared to only 10 percent in 2003 (3rd ranked). Colorado is still one of the few states that does not require physical activity in schools.  In 2008, the Colorado General Assembly passed a bill prohibiting schools in Colorado from selling unhealthy beverages and instructing the Colorado Department of Education to determine what types of drinks can be sold. Currently, the Board permits school districts to sell a variety of beverages including water, low-fat and flavored milk, and fruit juices. 

Nationwide, Oregon had the largest decrease in childhood obesity rates from 2003 to 2007—from 14 and to 10 percent (National Survey of Children’s Health). Although an Oregon expert notes the decrease can not be attributed to any one policy, the state passed recent legislation to improve the nutritional content of school breakfasts and lunches, and increase the minimum time each day spent in physical education during school hours. In addition, several community coalitions focusing on increasing the number of women who have breastfed their infants past six months, were successful in passing one of the strongest workplace accommodation bills in the country for mothers returning to work.  A growing body of research has found that breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight and obese as children and adults. Oregon now has the highest rate of exclusively breastfed babies at six-months in the country (25%).

Approximately 14 percent of children in Colorado lack health insurance coverage—one of the highest childhood uninsured rates in the country. In recent years the state has taken steps to increase childhood coverage by raising the income eligibility threshold in the CHP+ program. Through the passage of the Health Care Affordability Act of 2009, CHP+ eligibility is scheduled to increase to 250 percent of the federal poverty level (about $55,000 for a family of four) from 205 percent in 2010.

Illinois has made significant gains in getting kids covered through the passage of the All Kids Initiative and Cover All Kids Health Insurance Act. As of July 2006, insurance coverage was made available to any child who was uninsured for 12 months or more who lived in Illinois and was 18 years or younger. Enrollment in the program surpassed original targets. This was attributed to innovative, targeted outreach efforts through partnerships between state agencies, community organizations, medical providers and insurance companies. Additionally, a consumer friendly application form has been credited with being part of the success as well as the universality of the program.

Building on Illinois’ success, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have enacted similar legislation to cover all children in their respective states.