Dear Nederland Residents,

As you may know, TEENS, Inc. is proposing to build an early childhood education / care center (ECE) in Nederland on town owned property (750 W. 5th St.). This vacant lot, located in the Dyer’s neighborhood 150 feet from the fire station, is known as the Old Town Shop Site because up until the mid 2000’s it served as the shop for the public works department. This site is build-ready and offers the most affordable and efficient way to complete this project and enable TEENS, Inc. to offer subsidized care and competitive wages for staff.

On February 20, the Nederland Board of Trustees will be voting on whether or not to approve the special review use application from TEENS, Inc. If approved, TEENS, Inc. and the town will work to solidify a lease for 99 years at a $1 / year allowing TEENS, Inc. to build a facility that will triple the amount of year round care for children under the age of 5 in our community. Today, year-round care options are limited to 20 slots for children 2.5 to 5 years old, with no licensed infant care. While childcare is a pressing issue for families with children,

this is not a parent problem. Lack of childcare affects the workforce, k-12 school enrollment, the demographic makeup of the community, and the local economy more broadly. This is a big decision for our elected officials to make and I hope that you will lend your voice to help inform their decisions by submitting letters expressing your opinion to the Board of Trustees. Here is some information about the project.

Why is TEENS, Inc. proposing this project?

1) Numerous studies show the impact that ECE has on the social, emotional and academic development of children. For example, individuals who participated in such programs were 30% more likely to graduate from high school and 50% more likely to hold a job with a livable wage when compared to those who did not have access to quality early education (National Institute for Early Education Research).

2) Currently, no care exists for children under age 2.5 in the Peak to Peak Region; only 20 year round slots exist for children over 2.5 years of age; New Explorers Learning Center, currently operated by TEENS, Inc., has an interest / waitlist of 64 children. The evidence is clear - Nederland needs more childcare.

3) Childcare is critical to allowing current Nederland area families to work and achieve economic stability.

4) Thriving families are critical to a healthy community.

5) Local ECE creates a pipeline into our local schools. Despite the fact that the number of children under age 5 in the 80466 area code has increased 30%, enrollment at Nederland Elementary School has decreased 20% over this same time, suggesting that families are having to choose care in Boulder or elsewhere. Once they find care in other communities, it is less likely that they will return to Nederland for elementary school. A healthy school system is foundational to a healthy community.

Among the arguments against the preschool that have been voiced are the following.

Issue #1: Housing is a greater need - low-income and / or senior. Response: Housing is a critical need. In fact, according to the recent Nederland housing study over 120 units are needed. 750 W. 5th St. could potentially accommodate 7 or 8 units. TEENS, Inc. has and will continue to advocate for affordable housing. However, housing and childcare go hand-in-hand and TEENS, Inc. is proposing a project to solve one of those critical and urgent needs right now, while the vacant lot has stood waiting for a housing developer to step up for nearly 20 years.

Issue #2: It is fiscally irresponsible for the town to lease land for a $1 / year to TEENS, Inc. who will make millions of dollars off of the venture. Response: TEENS, Inc. is proposing a solution to the childcare crisis facing our community, in partnership with the Town. As a nonprofit organization with a mission to support, educate and empower youth and their families, TEENS, Inc. will continue to ensure equitable access to quality care by setting fee structures that make childcare affordable to families regardless of income. This is achieved by offering unlimited spots for families who qualify for Colorado’s Child Care Assistance Program and for those earning less than 300% Federal Poverty Level, we offer a sliding fee scale. TEENS, Inc. will also continue to pay employees competitive wages and benefits. The business model for child care is severely stressed, with the cost of doing business oftentimes far exceeding what parents can pay for services. ECE centers that offer affordable care and living wages and benefits to their staff, rely on grants, donations and fundraisers to be sustainable and TEENS, Inc. will be no different. To build a center like this, partnerships like the one we are proposing with the Town of Nederland, are essential. If there were millions to be made, a private operator would have already set up shop to serve the childcare needs of the community. Much like affordable or senior housing, it simply will not be built without partnerships like the one being proposed.

Issue #3: This project will subsidize non-town residents. Response: Residents who live just outside of town - Caribou Road, Ridge Road, Magnolia Road, etc. - are part of our community and go to our local schools. When they stay in the mountains they are much more likely to spend money in Nederland thus creating revenue for the town. For Nederland to thrive, we need families in the surrounding area just as much as we need families in town. Our community transcends the geographic boundaries of the Town of Nederland.

Issue #4: Traffic will alter the neighborhood. Response: Any project will alter the neighborhood and TEENS, Inc. is committed to working with the neighbors and the Town to minimize traffic or any other impacts that will be felt from the new structure and operations, including having set hours of operation and established pick-up and drop-off times. TEENS, Inc. is a local organization that has been committed to the health and wellbeing of this community for the past 25 years. We have a history of working with the community and this project will be no different.

While input from all area residents is important, the voices of Nederland voters are critical. Please send the Trustees a letter sharing your opinion about this project by going to https://townofnederland.colorado.gov/contact-a-board-or-commission.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of this project, please feel free to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Stephen LeFaiver

TEENS, Inc. Executive Director

stephen@teensinc.org