The Denver City Council on Monday eased zoning laws to allow child-care centers in residential areas and to allow schools to offer early-childhood development programs.
Councilwoman Carol Boigon had pushed the proposals, saying they would help make Denver an attractive place to raise kids.
The issue attracted 19 speakers, most all of whom supported Boigon’s proposals. A few, however, said they feared increased congestion in residential areas.
Parents sending their children to the Denver International School applauded the action. They said the old zoning would have barred the school from continuing to offer programs for infants and toddlers. Others said they worried that after-school centers would be shuttered.
“It will be a great day when the talk in the village is about how family friendly Denver is, that competition has worked so effectively that it’s really an embarrassment of riches,” said parent Rachel Ahalt.
Boigon’s proposal extended the definition of schools in Denver zoning below the state regulation of first grade, allowing those schools to provide services to infants and toddlers.
Councilwoman Jeanne Robb offered a competing proposal that would have brought the age definition for Denver schools down to 3-year-olds, but Robb only received the support of Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz.
Councilman Charlie Brown persuaded the council to expand Boigon’s plan to allow for-profit child-care centers in residential areas as well as nonprofit ones.
