Low-income

A Rocky Mountain News Point/Counterpoint stating that in a nation that values hard work and self-reliance, no one should have to work full-time for wages that leave a family in poverty. As a simple matter of fairness - and to strengthen families and encourage work - it is time to raise Colorado's minimum wage.

A Denver Post Sunday Perspective asserting that raising the minimum wage by voting for Amendment 42 is morally right and economically right.

This report is about Coloradans who work hard, families who struggle, and a state that could benefit economically if it did more to help.

The Working Poor Families Project has spent three years working in 15 states to examine both the conditions of low-income working families and public policies that can help improve their lives. This report builds on that work and takes a broader look at low-income working families across the nation and key facets of an economic and public system that affect their ability to achieve economic security.

A policy brief explaining the achievement gap between students in Colorado schools

A presentation on the Bell Policy Center's report, "Opportunity Lost: When Hard Work Isn't Enough for Colorado Families."

A Boulder Daily Camera commentary in support of a legislative proposal to expand the earned income tax credit (EITC), a refundable tax credit that helps low-income families

A Boulder Daily Camera commentary summarizing the findings of the Bell Policy Center's "Opportunity Lost" report, which found: Coloradans work hard, but too many working folks struggle to get by; education and skills are the best predictors of whether hard work pays off; and Colorado does not invest enough in services that help adults improve their job skills.

One of the priorities of Colorado???s state government should be moving as many families as possible to economic self-sufficiency.

A Boulder Daily Camera commentary that asserts unless we start investing in our citizens by establishing a statewide Housing Trust Fund, the state's lack of safe, affordable homes will continue to diminish opportunities for families and communities.