• Please support HB 20-1427, a new bill to send a tobacco and nicotine tax to the ballot to support preschool access and smoking cessation.
• Revenue collected from this tax would fund tobacco and nicotine cessation programs and provide voluntary, free access of at least 10 hours per week of preschool to all children in Colorado in the year prior to kindergarten.
• Additional revenue would be targeted to children from families with low incomes and to children at-risk of entering kindergarten with low levels of school readiness, setting them up for long-term success.
• The first two and a half years of this tax revenue would help make up for Colorado’s significant budget losses, supporting all kids and families during a critical time of recovery from the pandemic.
• Please vote ask state legislators to support HB 20-1427 for Colorado’s youngest learners and their families!

• Please support HB 20-1427, a new bill to send a tobacco and nicotine tax to the ballot to support preschool access and smoking cessation.
• Revenue collected from this tax would fund tobacco and nicotine cessation programs and provide voluntary, free access of at least 10 hours per week of preschool to all children in Colorado in the year prior to kindergarten.
• Additional revenue would be targeted to children from families with low incomes and to children at-risk of entering kindergarten with low levels of school readiness, setting them up for long-term success.
• The first two and a half years of this tax revenue would help make up for Colorado’s significant budget losses, supporting all kids and families during a critical time of recovery from the pandemic.
• Please vote ask state legislators to support HB 20-1427 for Colorado’s youngest learners and their families!

Dear Senator,

Please vote for HB 20-1427, a new bill to put a tobacco and nicotine tax to fund preschool on the ballot this November. If approved by voters, the measure would institute a tobacco and nicotine tax and allocate the revenue to expand preschool access, address Amendment 35 maintenance of effort and fund tobacco & nicotine cessation initiatives. The first two and a half years of revenue would be deposited into the State Education Fund or General Fund to help Colorado recover from the coronavirus pandemic. This would allow for an expansion of preschool beginning in fiscal year 2023-2024.

The referred measure ensures that the dollars allocated to preschool are flexible, allow for parental choice, support mixed delivery of services in school-based and community-based settings, and provide assurance that programs meet quality and program standards.

Over time, mental, physical, and social health is improved when kids have access to high-quality preschool. Longitudinal data show that children who participate in the Colorado Preschool Program have made significant academic gains and are:

• 26 percent less likely to have a significant reading deficiency in kindergarten
• Half as likely to be retained in K-3rd grades than similarly at-risk peers
• Meet or exceed CMAS expectations compared to similarly at-risk peers in most subject areas
• More than 10 percent more likely to graduate on time

In addition to the positive benefits of preschool, this measure would significantly improve health outcomes. Its approval on the ballot would result in:
• A significant drop off in vaping and cigarette use
• Revenue dedicated over time to programs that help Coloradans not start smoking or quit smoking

Please help champion investments in Colorado’s youngest learners and their families. Vote yes on HB 20-1427.

Sincerely,

Dear Representative,

Please vote for HB 20-1427 to expand preschool access, address Amendment 35 maintenance of effort and fund tobacco & nicotine cessation initiatives. The first two and a half years of revenue would be deposited into the State Education Fund or General Fund to help Colorado recover from the coronavirus pandemic. This would allow for an expansion of preschool beginning in fiscal year 2023-2024.

The referred measure ensures that the dollars allocated to preschool are flexible, allow for parental choice, support mixed delivery of services in school-based and community-based settings, and provide assurance that programs meet quality and program standards.

Over time, mental, physical, and social health is improved when kids have access to high-quality preschool. Longitudinal data show that children who participate in the Colorado Preschool Program have made significant academic gains and are:

• 26 percent less likely to have a significant reading deficiency in kindergarten
• Half as likely to be retained in K-3rd grades than similarly at-risk peers
• Meet or exceed CMAS expectations compared to similarly at-risk peers in most subject areas
• More than 10 percent more likely to graduate on time

In addition to the positive benefits of preschool, this measure would significantly improve health outcomes. Its approval on the ballot would result in:

• A significant drop off in vaping and cigarette use
• Revenue dedicated over time to programs that help Coloradans not start smoking or quit smoking

Please help champion investments in Colorado’s youngest learners and their families. Vote yes on HB 20-1427.

Sincerely,