In the mountain town of Cripple Creek, a life-changing event for parents and children begins in September 2027. Envisioned by the Community of Caring Foundation, the childcare facility, “It’s a Place for Kids,” signals hope flanked with a solid business plan.

“Many of our potential clients are single job earners who, without childcare, are stuck,” said Mary Bielz, the foundation’s chair. “Lack of childcare perpetuates government dependency because it’s not available and not affordable.”

Fueled by multiple grants, including a federal grant of $1.015 million spearheaded by Rep. Brittany Pettersen, the childcare facility has attracted state and local funders, including Teller County.

To date, the fundraising campaign is up to $3.9 million.

“It’s miraculous. Who would ever think that we could raise this much money?” Bielz said.  

The city of Cripple Creek is the fiscal agent for the project. For the foundation, the next fundraising goal is $830,000.

“We’re almost there!” Bielz said.  

With a mass mailing as part of the campaign, the foundation is challenging the community to pitch in and help. 

“Can you do a bake sale? Dedicate your money from the poker game?” she said.  “There are collection containers in businesses in Victor and Cripple Creek.”

Last month, when members of the Gold Camp Association closed the nonprofit organization, they donated the remaining funds, $1,064, to the childcare facility.

The Victor-Cripple Creek American Legion Post 171 simultaneously donated $1,000 to “A Place for Kids.”

In the meantime, the team is close to signing a contract with a childcare provider in Colorado Springs, which, in effect, will be an economic booster for southern Teller County. 

“The provider plans to hire people up here,” said Ted Borden, executive director of the foundation and the Aspen Mine Center.

In fact, Mayor Annie Durham and a representative from Early Childhood Connections presented the idea to students at high school last week.  (Durham is the coordinator of the school’s Career and Technical Education program).

The facility is groundbreaking for southern Teller County.  In the past, parents relied on unlicensed caretakers or family friends to care for their children. For some, working out of the home was impossible, which, in turn, affected employers, especially the casinos in Cripple Creek.

“This facility is an answer to economic development,” Bielz said. “We’re having a gala on June 2 and have gotten sponsorships; we’ll have an auction and a raffle.”

To date, the foundation has spent $525,344 to cover services provided by an engineer and architect, including site visits and reports.  Bids for the project will be released by the end of July, with construction to begin Aug. 3; the foundation targets August 2027 for opening.

“We do not want to carry a debt load,” Bielz said. “We have a strategy that will ensure stability and self-sufficiency in providing childcare.”

While many of the grants are from federal and state sources, still others are from the locals, a reflection of that intimate sense of community that envelops the childcare facility.

“We are grateful for the generosity, it’s far and wide, down and deep, heartfelt for children and unmet need,” Bielz said.