Colorado Proclaims October 2026 Whole Child Health and Wellbeing Month
Another Major Milestone for the Decade of the Child
On October 1, 2026, Governor Jared Polis signed a proclamation, drafted by the Decade of the Child (DOC), naming October 2026 Whole Child Health and Wellbeing Month in Colorado. The DOC is proud to see children’s health and wellbeing recognized as a statewide priority.
The proclamation describes children as Colorado’s greatest resource and links their wellbeing to the state’s population health, workforce, and economic future. It also acknowledges that, despite Colorado’s resources and commitment, troubling indicators persist. About 61 percent of children arrive at kindergarten ready for school across all developmental domains, which leaves nearly 4 in 10 needing extra support, and only about 47 percent of fourth graders read at or above grade level. Nearly 1 in 5 children have experienced two or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and 26 percent of high school students report persistent sadness or hopelessness.
The response the proclamation calls for is coordinated, whole-child approaches to prevention, education, and care. It also points to a policy roadmap grounded in what science shows about early brain development, one that can help policymakers, educators, and the public expand the positive and protective conditions every child needs to thrive. That is the purpose of the Decade of the Child Initiative and its roadmap for action.
Colorado now joins North Carolina in recognizing whole child health and wellbeing at the state level. Governor Polis signed this proclamation in the final months of his time in office, and we thank him for his leadership on behalf of Colorado’s children. We also thank the Colorado advocates, researchers, educators, and health professionals who helped make this possible, and we hope to work with his successor to turn this vision into reality for Coloradans.
Download the Proclamation »
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