| Montrose could have employer-based childcare available for city staff by early 2026 if all goes according to plan, as it's budgeted around $600,000 in 2025 to renovate a city-owned facility for this purpose. "Things are moving along," Community Development Director Jace Hochwalt said, noting the design process is already underway for the building at 703 S. 9th St. The city applied for, but did not receive, a state grant in 2024 for the project. However, Hochwalt said the remodel is still in motion. Construction is slated to begin this summer, as the Montrose County School District is currently occupying the building and will vacate it in July. Hochwalt said construction will begin soon after, and wrap up by the end of the year or the first months of 2026 at the latest. He said the building has been used for childcare before, and most of the construction will revolve around getting it up to snuff for current licensing requirements and modernizing the space. Once complete, it should be able to house 40-50 students, from infants to 5-year-olds. "We're focusing on infant care up through preschool," he said, and there will likely be at least one room for infants, one for toddlers and one for preschool-aged children. As the design process wraps up, he said, staff will know if it's possible to add a fourth room and decide what age group has the most need. He noted infant care can be particularly hard to find, and said the city is hoping to cater to families with children as young as six weeks. City staff will get first dibs, but after that need is met the facility will likely be opened up to employees from partner governments and organizations like the county and recreation district. Hochwalt said the facility won't be free, but staff are trying to make it as affordable as possible. "There will be a cost to it, and there will likely be a reduction compared to market rate," he said. As the design process progresses, the city also has to make a big decision on the operational side regarding whether the city will run the facility or contract with a private childcare provider. Staff sent out a request for proposal around a month ago, which closed earlier this week and netted two responses from interested providers. "Over the next three months we'll really dial in what we're going to do operationally," Hochwalt said, later adding, "A lot is still in the works, but there's a lot of progress at the same time." | 
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