When families lack access to affordable, high-quality child care, there are personal and economic consequences.

In a Chalkbeat story published Dec 6, we take readers to one north Denver neighborhood — Elyria-Swansea — where the dearth of child care options has been a problem for years. Many parents rely on relatives or neighbors to watch their young children during the workday. Some enlist older siblings and others drive their children to centers outside the neighborhood.

Now, several groups are working to expand access to child care that's local, affordable and high quality. But big questions remain. When will the solutions take hold? How much public investment is needed? And will gentrification push out the longtime residents these initiatives are meant to help?

Join us as we explore these questions with our panel featuring voices on the front lines of this issue:

• Liliana Flores Amaro, Elyria-Swansea resident and community activist

• Richard Garcia, former executive director of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition

• Rebecca Kantor, Dean of the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver

• Martha Patricia Martiñon, family, friend and neighbor provider in Elyria-Swansea

Light refreshments will be served.

Parking: There is a pay lot across the street from the building that charges $5 per day. There is some surface level parking behind the building available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also some free street parking on the side streets next to the building, with one- or two-hour time limits. 

Thank you to our sponsor: