I am writing to urge readers to support House Bill 17-1195, a state sales tax exemption on diapers. I am a board member of The Nappie Project, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that children in Loveland, Fort Collins and surrounding communities have an adequate supply of diapers to remain clean, dry and healthy. We are committed to raising awareness of diaper need and its impact on families.
When a family cannot afford diapers, disposables are washed, dried and reused; or children are left too long in soiled diapers leading to infection. Diapers cost $80-$100 a month, and federal assistance like SNAP or WIC cannot be used to purchase these required health-care items. Babies go through an average of 12 diapers a day, and this bill will save families enough money to buy an additional day of diapers each month, creating an extraordinary impact.
I am a mother, and every few hours I reach for a diaper to clean and comfort my child. I am fortunate I have never had to choose between diapers and food, utilities or rent. Most child-care facilities don’t take cloth diapers and require at least a week’s supply at a time. I am grateful I can afford this up-front cost so that my husband and I can go to work and school; however, this is not the case for many Colorado families, especially for the 42,000 children living in poverty.
I urge readers to contact their representatives in support of this bill, and to donate today to their local diaper bank. We must support Colorado families in closing the diaper gap and this bill is the first step in providing financial relief for the families most in need.
Melissa Rivera
Fort Collins
