(1) The general assembly finds and declares that increasing numbers of children in Colorado are spending a significant portion of their day in care settings outside their own homes. In addition, some children are placed in facilities for residential care for their protection and well-being. The general assembly finds that regulation and licensing of child care facilities contribute to a safe and healthy environment for children. The provision of such environment affords benefits to children, their families, their communities, and the larger society. The general assembly acknowledges that there is a need to balance accessibility and quality of care when regulating child care facilities. It is the intent of the general assembly that those who regulate and those who are regulated work together to meet the needs of the children, their families, and the child care industry.
(2) In balancing the needs of children and their families with the needs of the child care industry, the general assembly also recognizes the financial demands with which the department of human services is faced in its attempt to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for those children of the state of Colorado who are in child care facilities. In an effort to reduce the risk to children outside their homes while recognizing the financial constraints placed upon the department, it is the intent of the general assembly that the limited resources available be focused primarily on those child care facilities that have demonstrated that children in their care may be at higher risk pursuant to section 26-6-107.
Source: L. 94: Entire section added, p. 1044, § 1, effective January 1, 1995. L. 96: Entire section amended, p. 251, § 2, effective July 1.