Budget Cuts Loomed. Colorado Advocates Fought Back

The 2025 legislative session could’ve been disastrous for Colorado families.  

A $1.2 billion budget shortfall threatened deep cuts to early learning and child nutrition programs. But SCAN showed up to defend this funding – and secure even more investments in kids’ futures.  

Esmeralda is a passionate nutrition educator and champion for the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program. She was instrumental in its passage via ballot measure in 2022 –but Esmeralda didn’t stop there. 

To secure full funding for HSMA, she led a team of eight advocates to the Capitol during our Lobby Day, urging lawmakers to support legislatively referred ballot measures. Thanks to their efforts, Propositions LL and MM will appear on the ballot this fall! 

Other wins included a $10 million boost to the chronically underfunded Child Care Assistance Program, a $14 million increase for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and a $10 million bump for the Universal Preschool Program. Just as critically, we defeated legislation that would’ve made harmful changes to that same program.  

It took tireless efforts from our advocates like Esmeralda, who:  

• Met with 20+ lawmakers  

• Delivered 100 postcards as part of our Have a Heart campaign 

• Sent 298 advocacy emails  

Meanwhile, SCAN launched a digital ad campaign that reached over 2 million Coloradans! Our state manager made a splash in the media, too, appearing in the Colorado Springs Gazette, KKTV, the Longmont Leader and Colorado Politics.  

Now, we fight to protect these victories – and your voice could make all the difference.  

Ready to join the movement? Learn more about volunteering with SCAN!