Download Photos From the Roundtable HERE
Denver –– Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet hosted a roundtable discussion at MindSpark Learning in Lakewood with Mile High United Way, a small business owner in the medical community, and parents about how Colorado families and kids are benefiting from the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC).
“The expanded Child Tax Credit is already improving the lives and boosting the income of families in Colorado. That means more money each month to help an overwhelming majority of parents cover the cost of child care, medical expenses, groceries, and school supplies,” said Bennet. “We have to seize the opportunity to lock in this tax credit expansion for years to come in the Build Back Better budget.”
“Working families have faced countless challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m glad I could be a part of this important conversation with Senator Bennet and thank him for his efforts to extend the expansion of the Child Tax Credit that will cut childhood poverty nearly in half this year. We must continue to work together to find ways to support American families and address childhood poverty in the U.S.,” said Helen Drexler, President & CEO, Delta Dental of Colorado.
“Working at Mile High United Way gives me the privilege to support families in our community day in and day out. Hearing stories from other parents today reinforced what we all already know—every parent wants the best for their child, regardless of zip code, political affiliation, or salary earned. The expanded Child Tax Credit is helping parents meet the needs of Colorado families and kids. I’m profoundly grateful to Senator Bennet and to the organizations that work to ensure that parents can offer the best to their children, every day,” said Chelsea Carver, Chief Development Officer, Mile High United Way.
“As a program manager at Mile High United Way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many parents who simply want to raise strong, happy children. Whether it’s piano lessons, child care, tutoring, or simply being able to put food on the table, the expanded Child Tax Credit gives so many Colorado families the flexibility to meet the needs of their family and their kids,” said Catalina Gonsales, Manager, HIPPY Program, Mile High United Way.
“We have always felt that our daughter’s future is bright. With the added help of Child Tax Credit monthly payments, we’re able to make the investments in her educational development that will put her on the path to realizing that future,” said Steve and Bridget King.
Bennet has championed the expansion of the CTC for years. In March 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law a one-year expansion of the CTC, based on Bennet’s American Family Act, in the American Rescue Plan Act. This expansion has the potential to cut nationwide child poverty nearly in half this year and benefit 90% of American children.
In his American Families Plan, Biden proposed permanent full refundability of the CTC, as well as extending the enhanced CTC value and monthly payments through 2025. The president also committed to working with Congress to make the full, expanded CTC permanent. Bennet and his colleagues continue to push for a permanent expansion of the Child Tax Credit in the Build Back Better package.