Dear Editor,

I wanted to bring up an important topic that impacts many of us living in rural areas: the availability of childcare and how it might affect home values. It’s a bit of a puzzle with lots of pieces, but here’s a quick look at how these things might be connected.

Housing Demand:

When there’s a lack of childcare options, families with young kids might find our rural areas less appealing. This could mean fewer people wanting to buy homes here, which might keep our home values from growing. Some families might even move to places with better childcare, leaving our community smaller and our home values lower, perhaps.

Economic Vitality:

Without enough childcare, parents, especially moms, might struggle to work as much as they want. This can slow down our local economy and, you guessed it, affect home values. Plus, businesses might think twice about setting up shop in areas where their employees can’t find good childcare.

Community Investment:

Good childcare options are a big part of what makes a place feel like home. When those options are missing, our communities might seem less attractive, which can influence home values. It’s also a sign that we might need to invest more in our local infrastructure.

School Enrollment:

Less childcare can mean fewer kids enrolling in local schools. This can lead to schools getting less funding or even closing, which can make our community less attractive to new families and affect home values.

Real Estate Insights:

I reached out to some local real estate brokers, and one mentioned that several clients have sold their homes because there aren’t enough childcare options. Even though buyers don’t always bring it up, the need to commute to places like Boulder for childcare is a big deal. Families making that daily trek often end up selling their homes after a few years because it’s tough on their quality of life and family time. Plus, kids miss out on connecting with local friends.

Challenges in Analysis:

As a certified residential real estate appraiser, I find it very difficult to quantify the impact of childcare availability on home values due to the many unique factors in each community. While there may be a correlation between lack of childcare and lower home values, establishing direct causation can be challenging because of the multitude of influencing factors.

Special Municipal Election in Nederland:

I also want to remind everyone that the Town of Nederland will conduct a special municipal election on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024. During this election, Nederland residents will be voting on whether to permit TEENS, Inc. to operate a private childcare center on 750 W 5th Street. This is an important opportunity to address our childcare needs and potentially enhance the attractiveness and economic health of our community.

Efforts in Gilpin County:

It’s also worth noting that Gilpin County is actively organizing efforts to address childcare needs. They are forming a Childcare Steering Committee to provide recommendations on improving childcare. This initiative highlights the importance of childcare in supporting our communities and local economies. For more information, visit https://gilpinmtnkids.org/.

Solutions and Research:

Studies show that areas with better access to services, including childcare, often see higher property values. For example, research from the Center for American Progress found that areas with higher access to childcare services tend to have higher home values and stronger local economies (Center for American Progress, 2019). Additionally, case studies from the Rural Policy Research Institute highlight how improving childcare infrastructure can lead to enhanced economic development and increased property values in rural communities (Rural Policy Research Institute, 2018).

So, what can we do? Investing in childcare, supporting local providers, and working together as a community can make our rural areas more attractive to families. This can help our local economy and improve our home values.

In short, while it’s not the only factor, having good childcare options is pretty important for keeping our rural communities vibrant; and perhaps, our home values healthy. Let’s keep this in mind as we look at ways to support and grow our community.

Sincerely,

Casey Saltness

Gilpin County