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Using data to drive action

We give our partners the confidence to make informed decisions that drive action. Visit our project pages to see how the Colorado Lab supports our partners in tackling their most difficult challenges.

We are the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab

We work with government and community partners to create data-informed solutions to Colorado’s most pressing problems. Learn more about how we leverage data for meaningful action.

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“The Colorado Lab is one of the few organizations with the research capabilities and legislative authority to access data from multiple systems, a necessity for addressing complex social issues like perinatal substance use. I also appreciate their partnership and openness to hearing our perspectives.” Dr. Susan Hwang Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine

The Latest from the Colorado Lab

Learn more about our work through our blog, where we share the latest updates on projects, evidence-based decision making, partnership opportunities, and more.

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28. October 2024

Call for Letters of Interest for Early Care and Education Workforce Compensation Policy Analysis

In 2023, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) received a $3.85 million grant from the Early Educator Investment Collaborative (EEIC) to catalyze change in ECE workforce compensation in line with Colorado’s Comprehensive Early Childhood Workforce Plan and Compensation and Benefits Task Force Report. Grant funds support research, planning, and strategy towards long-term, sustained increases […]

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Read Post Call for Letters of Interest for Early Care and Education Workforce Compensation Policy Analysis
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11. October 2024

New Project: Universal Preschool Evidence-Building Hub

A Universal Preschool Evidence-Building Hub has been created at the Colorado Lab to oversee all evidence-informed design and evaluation work on behalf of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). The Universal Preschool Program helps fund preschool for Colorado children the year before kindergarten.  The Colorado Lab has served as an evidence-building hub for CDEC […]

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Read Post New Project: Universal Preschool Evidence-Building Hub
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10. October 2024

Nonprofit Sector Learning Community

There have been a number of exciting developments since last spring when we announced our collaboration with Philanthropy Colorado to adopt a community of practice (CoP) approach to enhance funder capacity to support grantees’ use of data for learning (April article). As a diverse mix of foundation representatives began to participate in the CoP, news […]

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Read Post Nonprofit Sector Learning Community
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9. October 2024

National Recognition of Colorado’s Adult Protective Services Innovations

The passage of Senate Bill 21-118, Alternative Response Mistreatment At-Risk Adults, allowed Colorado to pilot an alternative pathway for Adult Protective Services (APS) to respond to reports of low-risk mistreatment and self-neglect. This advancement is gaining national recognition and was highlighted last month at the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) annual conference in New […]

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Read Post National Recognition of Colorado’s Adult Protective Services Innovations
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8. October 2024

Call for Researchers: Learning Community on Family Economic Well-Being

In collaboration with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab (Colorado Lab) is convening a Learning Community on Family Economic Well-Being Research to align the needs of policymakers and the public with rigorous research that explores the connection between income volatility and child maltreatment or child maltreatment. The interdisciplinary Learning […]

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Read Post Call for Researchers: Learning Community on Family Economic Well-Being
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25. September 2024

LINC 5th Anniversary Series—Linked Data to Improve the Lives of Coloradans

“As we celebrate LINC’s fifth year, one of the most exciting things we’re beginning to see is linked data informing programs, practices, and policy that improve the lives of Coloradans,” said Dr. Whitney LeBoeuf, Director of the Linked Information Network of Colorado (LINC). Jade Woodard, CEO of Illuminate Colorado, agrees. “We began working with the […]

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Read Post LINC 5th Anniversary Series—Linked Data to Improve the Lives of Coloradans
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9. September 2024

Spotlight on External Research Partner: Paul Collier

Welcome to Paul Collier, an external partner to the Colorado Lab in support of government partners creating Theories of Change (TOCs). A Director at Corona Insights, Paul excels at helping teams build internal evaluation capacity and grow their ability to use data for learning purposes. Paul is an experienced trainer, facilitator, and coach who has […]

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Read Post Spotlight on External Research Partner: Paul Collier
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9. September 2024

Plans of Safe Care: National Presentation & Local Kick-Off

POSC Pilot Kick-off, Alamosa, July 19, 2024 We were excited for the opportunity to share insights on Colorado’s Plans of Safe Care (POSC) pilot program at the national level. Dr. Courtney Everson, Senior Project Director at the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab (Colorado Lab) gave an invited presentation to more than 500 registrants through the […]

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Read Post Plans of Safe Care: National Presentation & Local Kick-Off
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28. August 2024

LINC 5th Anniversary Series – Game Changer

When asked how the Linked Information Network of Colorado (LINC) has changed their work, researchers most often point to two things: vastly improved access to administrative data and the consequential impact of cross-sector data-informed findings. “I can’t overstate how much LINC has improved our ability to access administrative data,” said Max Gross, PhD, Researcher, Mathematica. […]

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Read Post LINC 5th Anniversary Series – Game Changer
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16. August 2024

New Report: Lived Experience of Prenatal Substance Use

Pictured above: The Colorado Lab’s evaluation team on lived experience of prenatal substance use (L to R): Dr. Courtney Everson, Sr. Project Director, Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab; Ashley Miller, Peer Researcher; Sarah Brown, Peer Researcher. Not pictured: Jo Beletic, Staff Researcher, Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab; Alena Clark, External Research Partner. A new findings […]

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Read Post New Report: Lived Experience of Prenatal Substance Use

Explore Our Resources and Projects

We champion transparency and cultivate innovation in Colorado and beyond by sharing our work. Access valuable insights in our resources and projects library.

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