Child Poverty Rates in Colorado Decline

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The child poverty rate in Colorado declined in 2014, marking the first consecutive decline in over a decade as was determined by the annual KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report. However, disparities still exist and improvements are not reaching all children. Colorado’s overall child poverty rate is 15%, which is still five points higher than it was in 2000. Poverty is defined as an annual income of less than $23,850 for a family of four. Disparities also remain significant for many children of ethnic and racial minorities.

“We’re encouraged by the improvements in well-being for Colorado kids,” said Chris Watney, President and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign. “These trends are buoyed by economic progress, as well as key policy changes supported by research. Breakthroughs including more kids with health coverage and fewer unintended teen pregnancies followed by thoughtful deliberation by policymakers and the passion and hard work of professionals, providers and parents in every part of Colorado.”

Positive health indicators discovered by the report include nearly 100,000 children, as opposed to 2008, have health insurance. Also, fewer families have reported that cost is a barrier to access for prescriptions, dental care, and specialist care for children.

In Colorado’s rural communities, many minority children, especially Latinos, aren’t benefitting from the overall economic growth. While 8% of White children lived in poverty, according to the report, the rate was 27% for Latinos. Children in Latino households still have twice as high of a rate of being uninsured than any other racial or ethnic group.

“By far, children feeling the most significant impacts of poverty are children of color,” Watney said. “As we see improvements in KIDS COUNT data because of strong policy decisions and economic progress, we need to continue to ensure that momentum includes all kids. When we fight for every chance for every child—no matter his or her race, ethnicity or family finances—we all benefit.”

Read more about the report here.

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