We are Now Northern Colorado
Kids Thrive! 

Dear Early Childhood Partners and Supporters,

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I am proud to share an important milestone in the evolution of our organization. We are launching a new name, Northern Colorado Kids Thrive, which is accompanied by a rebrand of the organization. For more than 25 years, we have been known as the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County. That name reflects our origins and a legacy we are deeply proud of. It also reflects the collaborative council work that helped lay the foundation for a stronger early childhood system in our community and across our state. But it no longer fully captures who we are, or the scope and scale of the work we do today.

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What began as council-based coordination work has grown into a robust, multi-faceted organization with a broad portfolio of programs, partnerships, and systems-building efforts. While council work remains an important part of our DNA, it is now one program within a much larger organization that is driving change across early childhood, family well-being, and public systems.

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Why the Change? 

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Our new name reflects three important realities:

 

• First, our scope has expanded significantly. In addition to convening and coordination, we now lead program implementation, manage public funds, support providers and families directly, and serve as a trusted partner to local and state leaders. Our work spans strategy, operations, data, community engagement, and continuous improvement across the early childhood system.

• Second, our body of work has deepened over the past 6+ years, and will continue to grow in breadth and depth. Through extensive community engagement, polling, and ballot development, voters made a clear commitment to invest in early childhood in Larimer County. Following the successful passage of 1B, our organization is entering into a formal contract with Larimer County to support implementation of these funds. This work includes planning, coordination, accountability, reporting, and partnership across multiple domains of the early childhood system. The scale, responsibility, and long-term nature of this work go well beyond what the title Early Childhood Council typically conveys.

• Third, our name should reflect our impact and our accountability. We want families, providers, funders, policymakers, and partners to clearly understand who we are and what we do. Our name should signal leadership, stewardship, and action, while still honoring our roots.

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What has not changed is our mission or our values.

 

We are still deeply committed to:

• Centering families and young children

• Advancing belonging and access

• Strengthening the early childhood system

• Leading with collaboration, accountability, and community voice

 

This rebrand is not about leaving our history behind. It is about aligning our identity with the work we are already doing and the future we are building together.

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This new chapter positions us to continue growing responsibly, stewarding public resources with care, and delivering meaningful impact for children, families and educators across Larimer County. I am incredibly proud of our team, our partners, and the community that helped bring us to this moment. Thank you for growing with us and for continuing to believe in what is possible when we invest in early childhood.

 

With gratitude,

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Christina N. Taylor, MPH

Chief Executive Officer

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