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NoCo Voices

NoCo Foundation

Conversations with neighbors strengthening Northern Colorado. In each episode, Kristin Todd talks with thought leaders from Northern Colorado.

Conversations with neighbors strengthening Northern Colorado. In each episode, Kristin Todd talks with thought leaders from Northern Colorado.

5hr 3min
Thumbnail for "A Strong Start: What Larimer County’s Childcare Investment Means for Families".
Affordable, high-quality child care is essential for young children, working families, employers, and a strong regional economy, but for many Larimer County families, it has become increasingly difficult to find and afford.
September 10, 202631min 30sec75.6 MB
Thumbnail for "Growing with Intention: Small-Town Leadership in a Changing Northern Colorado".
What does it take to grow a town while preserving the character and connections that make it feel like home?
October 1, 202638min 41sec92.86 MB
Thumbnail for "Rural Roots, Regional Impact: The Northeast Colorado Intersections Report".
What can we learn when we listen deeply to rural communities?
August 6, 202624min 23sec58.52 MB
Thumbnail for "When Disaster Strikes: Preparedness, Recovery, and the Long Road Forward".
Disasters may make headlines for days or weeks, but recovery often takes years.
July 9, 202627min 34sec39.7 MB
Thumbnail for "More Than a Meal: Connection, Community, and the Power of Intersections".
In this episode of NoCo Voices, Kristin Todd explores the NoCo Foundation’s Intersections work, an approach to understanding how complex community challenges are connected across Northern Colorado.
June 25, 202625min 10sec60.42 MB
Thumbnail for "Cracking the Housing Puzzle: Regional Solutions in Action".
Housing is one of the most urgent challenges facing Northern Colorado, and one that requires regional solutions.
June 4, 202632min 12sec77.29 MB
Thumbnail for "How to Be a Philanthropist (Hint, You Already Are)".
You don’t have to wait to become a philanthropist—you might already be one.
May 14, 202634min 34sec82.96 MB
Thumbnail for "The State of the Nonprofit Sector in Northern Colorado".
Nonprofits aren’t on the sidelines of our region’s future—they are central to it.
April 9, 202627min 36sec53.02 MB
Thumbnail for "From Greeley to Fort Collins: A Conversation on Regional Strength  ".
Two former Northern Colorado mayors, Jeni Arndt (Fort Collins) and John Gates (Greeley), discuss their hopes and dreams for Northern Colorado.
March 26, 202637min 27sec53.93 MB
Thumbnail for "Conversations with Neighbors Strengthening Northern Colorado".
Welcome! Who are we, what is exciting about the region, why the NoCo Foundation, why now, what to expect in the series.
March 12, 202624min 12sec58.1 MB

A Strong Start: What Larimer County’s Childcare Investment Means for Families

Thumbnail for "A Strong Start: What Larimer County’s Childcare Investment Means for Families".
September 10, 202631min 30sec

About This Episode

Affordable, high-quality child care is essential for young children, working families,
employers, and a strong regional economy, but for many Larimer County families, it has
become increasingly difficult to find and afford.

In this episode of NoCo Voices, host Kristin Todd sits down with Heather O’Hayre,
director of Human Services for Larimer County, and Liz Means, Chief Strategy Officer
for Northern Colorado Kids Thrive, to explore the state of early childhood care and
education in Larimer County and the new community investment taking shape.

In November 2025, voters approved a 0.25% countywide sales and use tax dedicated to
addressing the shortage and high cost of childcare and preschool. The funding is
intended to make care more affordable for eligible families, strengthen and expand the
early childhood workforce, increase provider capacity through targeted facility
improvements, and support program administration and evaluation.

Heather and Liz discuss what led to the measure, how Larimer County and Northern
Colorado Kids Thrive are working together, and what families and providers can expect
as programs are developed and implemented. They also explore a larger truth:
childcare is not only a family issue, it is vital infrastructure for a thriving community.

Listeners Will Learn More About

- The current childcare landscape in Larimer County
- What voters approved through Ballot Issue 1B
- How funding is expected to support families, educators, and providers
- The partnership between Larimer County and Northern Colorado Kids Thrive
- How the initiative will be implemented and evaluated

- Why early childhood investment matters to the entire region

Our Guests

Heather O’Hayre is the director of Human Services for Larimer County. With more than
20 years of experience in human and social services, her work has included child
welfare, juvenile justice, public policy, and improving outcomes for vulnerable children,
families, and adults. In 2025, she was named Director of the Year by the Colorado
Human Services Directors Association.

Liz Means is the Chief Strategy Officer of Northern Colorado Kids Thrive, formerly the
Early Childhood Council of Larimer County. The nonprofit connects families with early
childhood resources and supports local child care and preschool providers through
training, coaching, professional development, and funding opportunities.

Resources

- Larimer County Human Services: https://www.larimer.gov/humanservices
- Northern Colorado Kids Thrive: https://www.nocokidsthrive.org/
- Ballot Measure 1B next steps: https://www.nocokidsthrive.org/yeson1b
- Child care resources for families: https://www.nocokidsthrive.org/for-families
- Larimer Child Care Connect: https://www.nocokidsthrive.org/lc3-providers

NoCo Voices: Conversations with neighbors strengthening Northern Colorado is a
podcast from the NoCo Foundation featuring the people, partnerships, and ideas
helping our region thrive. https://nocofoundation.org/noco-voices-podcast

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