Colorado’s child poverty rate is growing faster than any other state

by Kimberly Gunning 

Colorado’s child poverty rate is the fastest growing in the nation. According to the 2010 KIDS COUNT in Colorado report by the Colorado Children’s Campaign, child poverty has climbed 72 percent since 2000.

Colorado was recently ranked 22nd in the nation in overall child well-being. However, data collected by the Colorado Children’s Campaign shows many areas are below average

In 2008, KIDS COUNT found that 27.3 percent of children in Denver lived in poverty. That number was a 63 percent increase from 2000.

Arapahoe County saw a 100 percent child poverty increase between the same years.

Child poverty in Colorado is increasing dramatically in the suburbs, which is consistent with the current national trend.

Much of the increase is occurring in Colorado’s Latino population. Hispanic births are increasing as non-Hispanic births are decreasing in many parts of the country. According to KIDS COUNT, 30 percent of Colorado’s child population was Hispanic in 2008.

Nevada is the next fastest growing state for child poverty according to KIDS COUNT.

KIDS COUNT in Colorado is an extensive study of child poverty. The study separates data by county and looks at many factors, including graduation rates and enrollment, family dynamics, ethnicity, income and healthcare.