When school lets out for summer, more than 347,000 Colorado children face an uncertain reality: months without structured learning, supervision, or the supportive relationships that help them thrive. For working parents, summer becomes a logistical puzzle. For kids without access to summer youth programs, it becomes a missed opportunity for growth.
Summer youth programs do more than fill the gap between school years. They prevent academic setbacks, reduce risky behaviors during unsupervised hours, and provide the mentoring relationships that research shows can change a young person’s life trajectory. In Colorado, where demand for out-of-school-time (OST) programming far exceeds supply, expanding access to these programs is both an educational priority and an economic necessity.
This guide explains why summer youth programs matter, what the research says about their impact, and how Colorado families can find quality programming in their communities.
Why Summer Youth Programs Matter for Colorado Families
The hours between 3 PM and 6 PM represent the highest-risk window for youth crime and risky behavior. During the summer months, that window stretches across entire days. Quality after-school and summer programs provide a safe haven, reducing the likelihood that youth will engage in risky behaviors.
For parents, the stakes are equally high. A 2025 survey found that 90% of Colorado parents say after-school programs allow them to keep their jobs or work more hours, and 97% report feeling less stressed knowing their child is safe at a program instead of being home alone
Yet the supply of programs falls far short of demand. In 2025, 116,141 Colorado children were enrolled in an after-school program, leaving 347,343 children unable to attend, according to The Center Square. The gap exists due to cost, availability, and geographic accessibility, particularly in rural communities.
According to the Colorado Children’s Campaign, for every one child in an out-of-school time program in Colorado, five are on a waitlist, meaning approximately 398,000 families are unable to access the programming they need.
The Academic Case: Preventing Summer Learning Loss
Research consistently shows that students who disengage from learning during summer months return to school at a disadvantage. Studies indicate that 70% to 78% of elementary students lose math knowledge over the summer, while 62% to 73% lose reading skills. On average, students can lose the equivalent of 2 months of learning, with greater declines in math than in reading.
These losses compound over time. CentralReach’s research has shown that while the effects of summer learning loss may not be as evident in younger grades, the losses accumulate over each year, adding up to substantial learning deficits by the time a student enters high school.
The impact falls hardest on children from lower-income households. As the Brookings Institution research notes, children from lower socio-economic backgrounds may lack access to enriching educational experiences during the summer months, while wealthier students often continue to have access to educational materials and experiences.
Quality summer programs counter this trend. According to research from the American Institutes for Research, studies across multiple states found that youth participating in 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs had 5% to 70% fewer absences compared with similar students who didn’t participate.
Beyond Academics: The Full Impact of Summer Youth Programs
Summer programs deliver benefits that extend well beyond test scores. For young people participating in mentoring programs, the outcomes are particularly striking.
A groundbreaking 30-year study of Big Brothers Big Sisters found that mentored youth experienced a 15% increase in earnings between ages 20 and 25 and were calculated to earn $56,000 more by age 65 than non-mentored youth. The study, conducted by researchers from Harvard University and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, represents the most comprehensive longitudinal analysis of youth mentoring outcomes to date. Read the full study, “The Long-Term Impacts of Mentors: Evidence from Experimental and Administrative Data,” to learn more.
The research also found that mentoring may help mitigate persistently low rates of intergenerational socioeconomic mobility, suggesting that the intervention can reduce up to two-thirds of the long-term socioeconomic disadvantage associated with childhood poverty.
Educational attainment improves as well. Youth matched with mentors were 10 percentage points more likely to enroll in college than non-mentored youth.
Research published by Youth.gov shows that youth with mentors also showed decreased likelihood of initiating illegal drug and alcohol use. A Big Brothers Big Sisters study showed that 6.2% of mentored youth initiated drug use compared to 11.4% of peers without mentors.
What Makes an Effective Summer Youth Program?
Not all programs produce equal results. Research from NWEA and other education researchers points to several characteristics that distinguish high-impact summer programming:
Duration and consistency matter. Prior research indicates that for summer programs to yield measurable academic benefits, they should run for at least 5 weeks and provide at least 3 hours of instruction per day. Shorter programs may provide supervision, but often fail to produce lasting academic gains.
Relationships are central. Research on Big Brothers Big Sisters community-based mentoring programs found that positive effects on youth outcomes became progressively stronger as relationships persisted for longer periods. Youth in matches lasting more than a year showed positive effects on self-worth, perceived social acceptance, scholastic competence, and reduced drug and alcohol use.
Programming should blend structure with engagement. According to the Colorado Department of Education, effective OST programs re-engage students through interest-based, hands-on activities and align with school-day learning in math and reading using evidence-based approaches.
The State of Summer Programming in Colorado
Colorado has made recent investments in OST programming, though funding remains well below demand.
The Out-of-School Time Grant Program provides $3.5 million in funding per year to Colorado afterschool programs over three years, representing a 30% increase from the previous 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding.
At the state level, the Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program distributes grants to youth-focused prevention programs. During the 2024-2026 grant cycle, 226 organizations sought approximately $36.1 million in funding, but only $10.4 million was available.
The current Tony Grampsas grant cycle ends June 30, 2026, making advocacy for continued and expanded funding a priority for organizations serving Colorado youth.
Public support for investment is strong: 89% of Colorado parents support taxpayer funding for after-school programs.
How Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado Supports Summer Engagement
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, we see the impact of consistent, caring relationships on young people year-round, including during critical summer months. Our mentoring matches don’t pause when school ends. Bigs and Littles continue meeting throughout the summer, providing continuity during a season when many youth lose connection to supportive adults.
Summer activities between Bigs and Littles range from outdoor adventures to career exploration to creative projects, all built around the interests and goals of the young person. These aren’t classroom experiences, but they are learning experiences, the kind that research shows produce lasting benefits.
Our approach aligns with the evidence: according to the National Institute of Justice, connecting youth to mentoring programs is a viable strategy for both preventing and reducing delinquent behavior, and CrimeSolutions rates mentoring as “effective” for reducing delinquency outcomes.
For families seeking youth development programs in Colorado, mentoring offers a relationship-centered complement to academic summer programming.
Finding Summer Youth Programs in Your Colorado Community
Parents searching for summer programming can start with these resources:
Colorado Afterschool Partnership coordinates statewide efforts to connect families with quality programs and can direct you to local options.
21st Century Community Learning Centers operate through school districts across the state, providing academic support and enrichment at no cost to families. The Colorado Department of Education maintains resources to help you find programs in your area.
Local recreation departments and libraries often offer summer programming, particularly in areas with limited nonprofit presence.
Youth-serving organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and mentoring programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, provide structured summer programming in many Colorado communities. Learn more about enrolling a child in our program.
When evaluating programs, look for consistent staffing, a blend of academics and enrichment, and opportunities to build relationships with caring adults.
Supporting Expanded Access: Why Advocacy Matters
The gap between demand and availability for summer youth programs won’t close without sustained investment. Colorado families can support expanded access by:
Advocating for state funding. Programs like Tony Grampsas Youth Services and the Out-of-School Time Grant Program depend on legislative support. Contacting state representatives about the importance of OST funding helps sustain these investments.
Supporting local providers. Many community-based organizations operate summer programs on tight margins. Donations, volunteer time, and in-kind support help programs serve more young people.
Raising awareness. Sharing information about the benefits of summer programming helps build public support for expanded investment.
Learn more about BBBSC’s advocacy priorities and how you can support policies that expand access to mentoring and out-of-school-time programming for Colorado youth by visiting our advocacy page.
Keep Colorado Kids Engaged This Summer
Summer doesn’t have to mean months of lost learning and missed opportunity. Quality summer youth programs give young people the structure, support, and relationships they need to thrive, while giving working families peace of mind.
The gap between supply and demand for these programs in Colorado remains significant. Closing it requires investment from policymakers, support from community members, and awareness among families of the available options.
If you’re looking for ways to support Colorado youth this summer, consider becoming a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. One-to-one mentoring provides the consistent, caring relationship that research shows produces lifelong benefits.
Donate to support youth mentoring or learn about our advocacy work to help expand access to the programs Colorado kids need.
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