Court Care Dissolved Into Early Connections Program
The free child care service for El Paso County courthouse visitors is transitioning to a new organizational structure.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Child Care
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The nonprofit Court Care for the Pikes Peak Region is dissolving and moving its operations under Early Connections Learning Centers. This merger ensures continued trauma-focused child care for local families visiting the El Paso County courthouse.
Why it matters
The transition addresses long-standing challenges in maintaining grant funding by merging into a larger organization. This move aims to stabilize services for vulnerable families, including those below the poverty level and active military personnel.
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, Court Care served 2,253 children from 812 families, with 82% of those families living at or below the federal poverty level. The merger plans to reduce expenses by $60,000 from the current $325,000 budget.
The players
Court Care for the Pikes Peak Region
A nonprofit established in 2002 that provided child care services at the El Paso County courthouse.
Early Connections Learning Centers
A long-standing regional child care provider established in 1897 that has overseen Court Care since 2003.
Olivia Rose
The former leader of the Court Care organization who departed her role on October 8, 2026.
The details
Early Connections Learning Centers will absorb the Court Care program as an internal initiative to ensure stability. The service provides free, licensed, trauma-focused child care for children ages six weeks to 12 years while parents attend court proceedings. By consolidating administrative leadership, the organization aims to optimize its resources for families in Colorado Springs and Teller County.
Timeline
1897: Early Connections Learning Centers was established.
2002: Court Care for the Pikes Peak Region incorporated.
June 30, 2026: End of the Court Care fiscal year.
October 8, 2026: Olivia Rose ceased leading the Court Care organization.
End of 2026: Transition of services to Early Connections to be completed.
The Home Front
This transition reflects a broader trend of nonprofit sector consolidation to address funding volatility within community human services. By folding into a larger organizational structure, the program aims to preserve essential support services for local families.
Families relying on courthouse child care services should not experience immediate disruptions to current availability. You can contact Early Connections Learning Centers directly if you have specific questions about upcoming service schedules or site availability.
The takeaway
The merger ensures that critical, free child care remains available for families involved in the court system. Parents needing these services should keep track of operational updates as the transition concludes by the end of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local resources for families at Child Care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Springs Gazette.
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