By Shannon Lukens.

The former Young Tracks Childcare Center and pre-school will now be leased and operated by Heritage Park Preschool. The purchase was made through a partnership with Yampa Valley Community Foundation. The proper licensure is being obtained from the State of Colorado. It will be rebranded as “Ski Town Early Learning Center.

The Young Tracks pre-school had its license suspected by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood in February after accusations against an employee.

There is much more information on the purchase with details from Yampa Valley Community Foundation in a recent press release.

PURCHASE OF YOUNG TRACKS CHILDCARE CENTER FOR LEASE BY HERITAGE PARK PRESCHOOL HELPS MAINTAIN REGIONAL CHILDCARE CAPACITY

(STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO, July 1, 2025) –Through a partnership facilitated by the Yampa Valley Community Foundation (YVCF) and collaboration among several community partners, the preschool facility formerly operated by Young Tracks has been purchased by a trusted community partner to be leased and operated by Heritage Park Preschool. Heritage Park Preschool, to be rebranded as ‘Ski Town Early Learning Center,’ will move into the facility after obtaining licensure from the State of Colorado to operate in the new space.

When the State of Colorado made the determination to shut down the Young Tracks center, 78 children were suddenly left without childcare. First Impressions of Routt County sprang into action, first by helping secure temporary placement for many of the children and then by helping alert Heritage Park to the potential relocation opportunity. Heritage Park Preschool had been diligently searching for a new location for months, after facing non-renewal of the lease of their existing location at the end of the current lease term. By relocating to the Mid-Valley building formerly operated by Young Tracks, Heritage Park could both expand its operation to 62 children including infants and ensure a more secure long-term lease with an option to purchase the building.

The Mid Valley location allows Heritage Park Preschool/ Ski Town Early Learning Center to expand preschool enrollment as well as add infant care, increasing their enrollment by 22 spots. Melinda Maas, Executive Director of Heritage Park Preschool says, “We’ve been licensed and operating for 23 years and are excited to have the opportunity to continue helping meet the need for childcare for local families. With the larger facility, we’ll be able to offer our small-group, high-quality classrooms to even more children.” While the loss of Young Tracks as a childcare provider does result in a net loss to this community of about 56 childcare spots, this loss would have been even more significant had Heritage Park Preschool not been able to relocate. They currently have a waitlist of more than 30 children born before October 1st, 2021, and limited spots available for children born after October 1st, 2021.

While still obligated for several more months on the lease in their current location and foreseeing prohibitive down payment and relocation costs, the only way for Heritage Park Preschool to make the shift a reality was through partnering with a community-minded investment company that has assisted other nonprofits with real estate matters, and with charitable support from local donors. YVCF has raised nearly $150,000 to support Heritage Park’s transition expenses and lease payments in the interval between the closing of Young Tracks and purchase by the new owners. Tim Wohlgenant, YVCF CEO says, “The early childhood education services provided by these nonprofits are essential to the wellness of our community. We understand this, and our generous donors understand this and were willing to partner on the purchase of the facility as well as contribute funds to help support Heritage Park Preschool through the transition.”

The Young Tracks Preschool Board of Directors also strongly supported the transition and sale of the property for lease by Heritage Park Preschool to avert further erosion of local childcare capacity. Young Tracks, a nonprofit organization which has provided essential preschool services in the region for many years, will be winding down the nonprofit business upon completion of the transaction.

Throughout the process, First Impressions of Routt County, a program of the Routt County Department of Human Services, has been integrally involved in the discussion and advocating for a solution that serves the community, and providing expertise in navigating the challenges of childcare licensure. Meg Franges, Director of First Impressions says, “The collaboration between Heritage Park Preschool, the Young Tracks Board, and the Community Foundation has been so positive and community-minded, it really has been a great development that’s going to serve local families. We were glad to contribute our voice and move the effort forward.”

Prior to this partnership, a parallel effort through YVCF was already underway to facilitate charitable support for early childhood education providers, specifically “to support the mission of First Impressions of Routt County in providing funding for early childhood education and childcare providers in Routt County, and for tuition assistance for early childhood education and childcare for low-income families in Routt County.” To donate, go to: https://yvcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5323. Contributions to First Impressions will not be used for the purchase of the preschool building referenced in this release.

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