Child Poverty Soars in Colorado
(DENVER) — Colorado led the nation with a 73 percent increase in the number of children living in poverty over six years, according to a new report.
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Megan Ferland, president of the Colorado Children's Campaign, said the number of children under 18 in poverty soared from 104,000 to 180,000 between 2000 and 2006. The national average was an increase of 9 percent.
Ferland cited trends in several areas that are affecting the overall poverty rate increase, including the number of children living in single—parent households; the availability of jobs paying a living wage for low—skilled workers; the changing demographics of the state; and the number of students who drop out of high school.
"This is a trend our children, and our state, cannot afford,"she said. "Kids growing up in poverty often struggle with educational, health, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and a range of other challenges that decrease their chances of success and often rob them of hope at an early age."
Gov. Bill Ritter said his administration has launched a number of initiatives to tackle the problem since taking office in 2007, including programs to help struggling children in school, provide better health care and prevent family violence, which all have roots in poverty.
"As adults, we have an urgent obligation to ensure that poverty does not determine our children's future,"Ritter said.
The campaign said the report released Tuesday also contains good news: The statewide teen birth rate has declined, immunizations are increasing, and smoking and drug use has declined.
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