Polis promotes early literacy in Colorado Springs
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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis hands out a donated book to a preschooler. Photo: Glenn Wallace/Axios
Gov. Jared Polis marked a milestone Thursday in Colorado Springs: the delivery of 3 million free books to Colorado children, as the state ramps up early childhood investment aimed at boosting literacy.
Why it matters: Colorado has rapidly expanded early education access, including universal pre-K and free book programs — but reading outcomes still lag statewide.
How it works: The state partners with local groups like Pikes Peak United Way and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to provide free age-appropriate books to children from birth to age 5 each month.
- Local nonprofit partners promote the program and help pay for the books.
By the numbers: The universal pre-K program has raised Colorado from 23rd to third in the nation for pre-K enrollment.
- The governor's office estimates universal pre-K is saving preschool families $6,300 a year.
- Polis has made education a cornerstone of his tenure as governor and as chair of the National Governors Association.
Yes, but: Early gains aren't yet translating into stronger literacy scores.
- National test scores from 2024 showed 65% of Colorado eighth-graders were not proficient in reading.
- Educators say Colorado student literacy has struggled to rebound from pre-pandemic declines and the state's 2012 READ Act doesn't go far enough to help older students improve.
What they're saying: Imagination Library of Colorado CEO Jack Tate called the program "one of the most high-impact, low-cost programs" for kindergarten readiness.
- Lisa Roy, executive director for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, said it is "now reaching 26% of Colorado's children."
- Polis thanked nonprofit partners and the Imagination Library for "helping make sure that every Coloradan can get a strong start," before handing out the 3 millionth free book and reading "Nobunny's Perfect" to a group of preschoolers.
The bottom line: Colorado is investing heavily in early literacy — but it could take years before those gains show up in test scores.