Hub Overview

The Colorado Lab’s Evidence-Building Hubs help the state build an effective evidence base by aligning evidence-building investments, reducing evaluation burden and duplication, and translating findings into policy and practice actions. The Colorado Lab has served as an Evidence-Building Hub for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) since its inception in 2022. The Stimulus Evaluation Hub built evidence for stimulus-funded activities and conducted initial planning activities for the evaluation of the Colorado Universal Preschool Program. Gathering information from a wide representation of community partners, early evaluation planning efforts included:

• Development of a multi-phased evaluation approach.
• Creation of a theory of change and implementation model to guide evaluation efforts.

In October 2024, CDEC contracted with the Colorado Lab to serve as the Universal Preschool Evidence-Building Hub to support the program’s evaluation and continuous improvement efforts. Initial activities include:

• Supporting the selected Program’s process evaluation vendor, Child Trends, to develop a rigorous evaluation plan and ensure deliverables are relevant and actionable;
• Supporting evidence-informed design activities to prepare key program components for evaluation; and
• Leading an advisory committee of subject matter experts to guide evidence building efforts. 

Moving forward, the Hub will produce an annual strategy report for evidence-building that will provide updated priorities and recommendations for CDEC, and an annual evidence report will summarize progress and findings for CDEC. The ongoing Hub work recognized in these reports will include:

• Strategic visioning for evidence-building within the Universal Preschool Program;
• Coordination and oversight of evidence-building teams and efforts;
• Provision of overarching data and technology advisory support; and 
• Dissemination of findings with CDEC leadership, Universal Preschool Program team, and key community partners.