Federal benefits cuts are looming – here’s how Colorado is trying to protect families with children

Colorado is leveraging its tax code to reduce child poverty. Royalty-free/Getty Images

Childhood poverty in the U.S. fell to its lowest level in history in 2021. The fall was largely due to the expanded child tax credit and other COVID-19 pandemic supports that put cash directly in the hands of parents and lifted millions of children out of poverty.

Once these safety net changes expired at the end of 2021, childhood poverty rebounded, surging from 5% in 2021 to 13% in 2024.