Education & Childcare

Written By Talena Gipson

Fully Funded Child Care for Working Families

Christian will fight to fully restore access to child care assistance across El Paso County by creating a locally sustained fund to cover gaps left by state-level Colorado Child Care Assistance Program rollbacks, paid for through the reallocation of millions of routinely and wastefully unspent funds. This will ensure that working parents — especially in lower-income households — can afford reliable care and return to the workforce with confidence. Child care is not just a family issue; it’s an economic one. Christian will advocate for the Board to modernize and expand how El Paso County invests in transportation—making it more affordable, accessible, and aligned with the needs of working families, students, and underserved neighborhoods. His plan includes:

Youth Violence Prevention & Intervention

Preventing crime before it happens starts with investing in young people. Early intervention and positive youth development reduce the likelihood of future criminal activity, school-based violence, and gang involvement.

Christian’s Proposal: Allocate $3 million annually in PSST funds to fund:

  • After-school and weekend programs, as well as extended learning centers

  • Peer conflict mediation and community-based mentorship

  • Job training, summer youth employment, and leadership pipelines

The Justification: Every dollar spent on youth prevention saves far more in future policing, incarceration, and emergency costs—while creating stronger, safer communities.

Fare-Free Transit for Students & Union Workers

Reliable transportation should never be a barrier to education or a paycheck. Many young people and working families rely on public transit, and fares—though small—can become an ongoing financial strain.

Christian’s Proposal: Allocate $1 million annually from underspent discretionary funds to support:

  • Fare-free rides for all K–12 and college students across El Paso County

  • Free bus access for all unionized workers commuting to and from their jobs

  • A simplified fare structure that increases ridership and access

The Justification: This initiative lowers transportation costs for thousands of households, improves school and work attendance, and builds a more just, accessible transit system that serves those who need it most.

Talena Gipson
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Human Rights