The Colorado Senate rejected a bill Tuesday that would have imposed the state’s first regulations on investor-owned day cares.
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Centers owned by private equity or institutional investment firms.
State Sen. Scott Bright, a Platteville Republican who owns two day care centers, said the rules would discourage operators from opening in Colorado.
“This bill, , I promise you will reduce child care supply and will increase child care costs,” Bright said. “Guarantee it. I’ve seen it every single time, and I’ve been in this business for 35 years.”
The bill was just one more House vote away from being sent to Gov. Jared Polis when it was killed by the Senate.
Opponents argued investor-owned facilities tend to outperform mom-and-pop centers because they have more resources. They also said a requirement to post rates would make it hard for operators to scale their pricing.
Investor-owned day cares operating in Colorado include KinderCare, the Primrose School and Everbrook Academy.
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