Families with children under 4 can apply to Nurturing Futures through Nov. 2.
Key Points:
- Families with children under 4 can apply for Nurturing Futures from Monday, Oct. 5, to Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
- New families must meet an income limit. For example, a family of three can earn up to $40,500 a year before taxes.
- Families selected for the program will get $600 a month starting in January 2027, with no rules on how they spend it.
- Families already in the program must reapply using a direct link sent to them. Those who still qualify will get priority.
- To receive this information in another language, email HSCommunications@bouldercounty.gov.
Boulder County, Colo. — Families with young children can now apply for Nurturing Futures, Boulder County's direct cash assistance program. Families will learn in December 2026 if they were selected and will get $600 a month starting in January 2027. Families already in the program who still qualify will get priority. A lottery will fill the remaining spots.
Applications are open until Monday, Nov. 2, at 11:59 p.m. All families must apply during this window. Families already in the program will get a direct link to reapply by email, text, or both on Monday, Oct. 5. New families can apply on the Nurturing Futures website.
Nurturing Futures gives families cash each month to spend on what they need most, such as rent, food, childcare, medical bills, or getting to work. Parents decide how to use the money.
"Household budgets of families with young children are getting squeezed from every side, from rent and childcare to cuts in federal food assistance and health programs," said Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy. "To help these families, we have taken the interest earned on our federal relief dollars and put it right back in the hands of parents. At $600 a month, this can be the difference between falling behind and finding solid ground during the years that matter most for a child."
The Boulder County Commissioners approved the next phase of the program earlier this year. It is funded by $4.2 million in interest earned on the county's federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Who Can Apply
To apply, families must:
- Live in Boulder County when they apply and while they are in the program
- Have a child born on or after Nov. 3, 2022
- Have a parent or guardian age 18 or older
- Have a household income before taxes at or below 30% of the area median income. For example, a family of three can earn up to $40,500 a year. This income limit applies only to families new to the program.
How Cash Assistance Could Affect Other Benefits
Direct cash assistance could affect other public benefits a family gets. Before applying, families can:
- Read the Nurturing Futures Benefits Guide in English or the Guía de beneficios de Nurturing Futures en español.
- Meet with the Boulder County Personal Finance Program. Schedule an appointment at boco.org/PersonalFinance, call 720-564-2279, or email PersonalFinance@bouldercounty.gov.
- Talk with the agencies that manage their benefits.
How to Apply
- New families: Apply on the Nurturing Futures website by Monday, Nov. 2, at 11:59 p.m.
- Families already in the program: Use the direct link sent to you by email, text, or both to reapply by Monday, Nov. 2, at 11:59 p.m. If you did not get a link, email support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org or call 720-734-4999.
To learn more, visit the Nurturing Futures website at boco.org/NurturingFutures.
About Boulder County Human Services
Boulder County Human Services is a department of more than 350 staff who support the health, safety, and well-being of local community members. Each year, we serve more than 110,000 people across Boulder County with access to food and cash assistance, health coverage, childcare, family services, and more. Visit the Human Services website at boco.org/HumanServices.