Colorado families are paying a steep price for child care. CSI found that families in Colorado’s 10 largest counties spend 18% to 25% of their monthly income on child care. That's far above the federal affordability benchmark of 7%. In Denver alone, the average family spends nearly 18% of its income on child care costs. Read the full Child Care Opportunity Index to see how costs and availability vary across Colorado: bit.ly/45kBxw8 Read The @denverpost article here: dpo.st/4aO2ZWr

Colorado continues to lead by example. The latest data shows Colorado ranks 2nd in the nation for the share of residents who give to charity. This generosity reflects the community spirit that makes our state strong. Learn more in the full report: bit.ly/4opKVrh

Colorado schools are serving fewer students, but administrative staffing continues to grow. The state added 263 administrators while serving 15,724 fewer students between the 2021–22 and 2025–26 school years. Read CSI's full analysis: bit.ly/4ur2Cs8 Read more about the trend here: bit.ly/4xmHEgn

Volunteerism is often discussed as a social good. It’s also an economic powerhouse. New CSI analysis finds that Coloradans contribute roughly 110 million volunteer hours annually, equal to about 36% of the annual hours worked by Colorado’s entire state government workforce. Our latest analysis breaks down the scale and impact of Colorado’s philanthropic economy: bit.ly/4opKVrh

For CSI Homelessness Fellow, @DustinZvonek, out of sight does not mean out of mind. Zvonek recently joined @antonioolivero on The OpEdge for a conversation on the policies shaping homelessness across the state. In the discussion, Zvonek examined whether current approaches are effective at addressing the root causes of homelessness. 🎙️ Watch the full podcast to learn more about the data, policy tradeoffs, and opportunities for reform: bit.ly/4aHGYZk 🔍 Read Dustin's latest report with CSI: bit.ly/49mhj8A

Yesterday, CSI welcomed policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders for our Eggs and the Economy event: a non-partisan discussion that gives Coloradans the chance to learn more about how recent legislation and trends are shaping Colorado's future. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a morning of thoughtful deliberation!

This morning at Eggs and the Economy, CSI hosted @DustinZvonek, Senator @Kyle_Mullica, and @RepCaldwell to discuss the ballot initiatives, economic trends, and national rankings that are shaping Colorado's future. From affordability and economic growth to Colorado's competitiveness, the conversation focused on how the decisions made at the Capitol and at the ballot box can influence the state's long-term prosperity. Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning and to our speakers for a dynamic discussion and a healthy dose of common sense.

🎉 Happy Birthday to CSI CEO Cinamon Watson! Your leadership has helped grow CSI's impact, expand our reach, and bring data-driven research to important conversations across the country. Thank you for all you do to advance common sense policy conversations. Here's to another great year ahead! 🎂🎈

Today, we welcomed our 2026 summer interns! We're excited to have an incredible group of Junior Fellows joining us this summer as they dive into research, policy, communications, and economic issues shaping the future. Stay tuned to see what they accomplish!

More funding. Lower performance. Since the 2021–22 school year, state average per-pupil funding in Colorado public schools increased by 27%. Over the same period, statewide PSAT/SAT scores for grades 9–11 declined in five of six reading, writing, and math categories. The only area that slightly improved? 11th-grade reading and writing. Take a deeper dive into the research here: bit.ly/4ur2Cs8

Colorado’s public schools are serving fewer students Abut employing more administrators. Since the 2021–22 school year: 📉 Student enrollment declined by 1.8% 📈 Administrative positions increased by 13.1% That means Colorado added 263 administrators while serving 15,724 fewer students. Read the full analysis to learn more. 👇 bit.ly/4ur2Cs8

Colorado net migration levels are sitting far below mid-2010s levels and many of the state’s largest metro counties are no longer attracting residents at the same pace. This slowdown raises concerns about Colorado’s long-term economic vitality, as weaker population growth can constrain labor-force expansion, dampen school enrollment, and slow the growth of local tax bases that support public services and infrastructure. Read the full report here: bit.ly/4dCTEBq Read @colo_politics take: bit.ly/3RKy4nr

One week until Eggs & the Economy! There's still time to register for our legislative recap on June 9th. With insights from legislators and CSI fellows, register before it's too late! 📆 June 9th ⏰ 7:30-9:00 AM 📍 The DOME at AMG Register here: bit.ly/42wY33E

Colorado is still growing, just not at the same rate or in the same places. Overall migration has slowed from its mid-2010s peak, shifting growth out of the Denver Metro and toward counties like Weld and Douglas. While this does introduce new opportunities, it also places strain on housing, infrastructure, and public services. Read CSI's report on Colorado's Population Shifts: bit.ly/4dCTEBq Read @thecentersquare's take: bit.ly/4uDUF3q

Colorado's housing market is facing pressure from all sides, and skyrocketing insurance costs for condominium construction are a big part of the story. CSI research breaks down what's driving the gap and what it means for the state's housing supply. Read the full report: bit.ly/4uRGlou See how these findings fit into the broader conversation: bit.ly/42Ycf6j

In Colorado's 10 most populated counties, there aren't enough child care slots for children under six. The families that can afford childcare are spending more than double the federal affordability benchmark to make it happen. When childcare is both unavailable and unaffordable, parents are often pushed to leave the workforce until their children get older. Read CSI's report on the Childcare Opportunity Index: bit.ly/45kBxw8 Read the @DailySentinelGJ's take: bit.ly/3RNtPHB

CSI’s @DJSummers13 spoke with @thecentersquare about new concerns surrounding Colorado’s slowing population growth. CSI’s latest analysis found the state’s population growth declined by nearly 60% between 2015 and 2025. Read the full report to learn more about what’s driving the trend: bit.ly/4tOr9qo See why this issue is getting attention: bit.ly/4dCTEBq

Seats are filling quickly! Join Common Sense Institute on June 9 for Eggs & the Economy at the DOME to get a closer look at the policies, priorities, and outcomes that defined Colorado’s 2026 legislative session. Save your seat here 👇 bit.ly/42wY33E

Colorado's CCAP enrollment freeze is an economic problem as much as it is a family one. With more than 25 counties pausing new enrollments, CSI's research shows the workforce and GDP implications could be significant. Read more here: bit.ly/42UcLlN CSI's analysis: bit.ly/4ok0LTr

Colorado's labor force participation rate has dropped for four consecutive months, falling 1.3 percentage points over the last year. Only 3 of 11 job sectors saw growth over the same period. CSI's April labor market update tracks what's driving the trend. See what @AOL is saying: aol.it/4o17uT1 Read CSI's Jobs update: bit.ly/4tOr9qo