Advocate
Building pathways to success for families through
long-term systemic solutions
Mile High United Way believes that a community and a country can only succeed when we are united, and when every individual receives the opportunities they need to thrive. However, complex economic policies, systemic racism, education disparities, power imbalances and other societal challenges can constrain this vision.
Therefore, our work must include a systems change approach. Our policy work centers on addressing the systems that create barriers for historically marginalized groups, such as BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color), women, foster youth, rural residents, and people with low incomes (below 300% Federal Poverty Guidelines).
Policy That Prioritizes Equity
We use an equity lens to remove barriers and create pathways to success for children, youth, and families. Our Policy & Equity Guide is used to determine how successfully a bill or ballot measure applies an equity lens. Watch the video or view the guide to learn more about our policy work.
Our Policy Strategies
At the local, state and federal levels, we support measures that advance our mission and goals in building pathways to success for individuals, children and families.
2024 Legislative Priorities:
Track our progress as we advocate for change during the 2024 Legislative Session. View Tracker
In 2022, the state legislature passed House Bill 1315: Colorado 211 Collaborative Funding with bipartisan support. The bill appropriates $1 million annually for the operation and management of 211 Colorado, including Mile High United Way’s 211 Help Center. 211 Colorado continues to receive more requests than ever, as more families need access to food, child care, housing resources and more. The 211 call centers across our state also quickly mobilize in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and floods. In 2024, we are seeking additional annual funding to continue the operation and management of 211 Colorado and make necessary technology upgrades.
Mile High United Way believes all children deserve a strong start in life. We are committed to improving Colorado’s child care landscape by expanding access to quality early care and education, so our youngest learners enter school ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. We advocate to:
- Provide equitable access to high-quality early childhood education and child care.
- Increase the number of high-quality early learning center care slots.
- Increase opportunities and decrease barriers for family, friend and neighbor care.
- Expand opportunities for parent learning and support through programs such as Parents As Teachers and HIPPY.
- Increase opportunities for early childhood education.
Mile High United Way believes children ages 5 to 12 should have opportunities to consistently engage in quality out-of-school time programs year-round. We advocate for improving access and expanding programs that help children develop social, life and creative skills and provide parents with the opportunity to work while their children enjoy safe, stimulating programming.
Mile High United Way believes everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. We advocate to:
- Increase housing vouchers for young people aging out of the child welfare system.
- Implement policies that keep people in their homes.
- Expand social safety net and benefit programs.
- Increase funding and support for shelters and safe parking initiatives.
- Remove barriers to transitional or temporary supportive housing, such as tiny homes, safe outdoor spaces and home sharing.
- Increase access to permanent supportive housing.
- Increase affordable housing options.
- Address high tax rates for homeowners.
Mile High United Way believes individuals and families should have access to nourishing food that’s relevant to their cultural, medical, social and/or situational needs. We advocate to:
- Increase support for food banks and food pantries.
- Expand opportunities for meal delivery programs to older adults.
Support food rescue initiatives. - Expand social safety net and benefit programs, including SNAP benefits.
Mile High United Way believes in improving the financial stability of individuals and families by helping them receive the tax refunds they are owed. We advocate to:
- Increase support for the IRS Volunteer
- Income Tax Assistance program.
- Increase the number of families receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
- Maximize tax refunds and reduce tax liabilities.
Mile High United Way believes individuals and families should receive quality legal representation for civil legal issues. We advocate to expand access to free legal services for:
- Evictions and foreclosures.
Receiving benefits. - Immigration, migrant and refugee support.
- Family, youth and child stability.
We host events with elected officials to allow the community to meet with their representatives and learn about issues being addressed through public policy. Through Community Learning Sessions, we share updates about policy issues important to the communities we serve, including housing security, education, tax policy, and ballot education sessions.
Review our learning sessions below:
Government 101, with Renny Fagan
Make Colorado Affordable – Ballot Measure, with Gary Community Ventures
Engaging in the Legislative Process, with ProtoStrategies
Election Security and Ballot Safety, Arapahoe County Elections Office
Fiscal Ballot Issues, with Colorado Fiscal Institute
Healthy School Meals for All – Ballot Measure, with Hunger Free Colorado
Into the 2022 Ballot – Where are We Going?, with The Bell Policy Center
The Governor’s Early Childhood Budget
Early Childhood Education and Tax Credits
Through our invitation-only Policy Fund, we invest in organizations that enhance our mission through their work and employ the following strategies:
- Leading and advancing legislation – This includes work on legislation, policy, and ballot measures at all levels of government, from local to federal.
- Lobbying – Providing guidance to assist policymakers in supporting equitable policies for our community.
- Policy implementation
- Awareness building – Accurate information sharing about issues so that the public is well-informed to act or make decisions
- Grassroots organizing – Building power within a constituency to identify problems and offer solutions. This can include coalition building, voter registration, and Get Out the Vote efforts
- Research – Investigation or inquiry into an issue or topic to establish facts and offer policy solutions
Get Involved
Join Our Action Network
Sign up to receive the latest policy updates right to your inbox.
Share Your Expertise
What do you think are the top issues facing our state? What are the solutions we need to explore to improve life in Colorado? We want to hear from you!
Learn More
