The number of Colorado children living in poverty increased by more than 88,000, or 85 percent, between 2000 and 2007, according to the report released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
This increase, which left the state with almost 192,000 children living below the federal poverty level, makes Colorado the state with the most growth in child poverty, said Lisa Piscopo, a research analyst for Colorado Children’s Campaign, a state nonprofit.
Despite the state’s top rank in child poverty growth, 28 states ranked lower than Colorado in overall child well-being, a compilation of factors including infant mortality, high school dropouts and the number of children living in poverty, Piscopo said.
The range in the state’s scores reflects its disparity of wealth. Counties in the southeastern part of the state had higher percentages of children in poverty than in the northwestern part of the state. Saguache County ranked highest with 46 percent, while Douglas County County ranked lowest with 3 percent. In Denver County, 25 percent of children are below the poverty line, according to the report. In El Paso County, 13 percent of children live in poverty.
Claire Trageser: 303-954-1638 or ctrageser@denverpost.com
