Childhood poverty has soared in Colorado in recent years, statistics show. The U.S. Census Bureau says more than 180,000 of Colorado"s children, or 15.7 percent, live below the federal poverty line, defined as $21,200 for a family of four in 2008, reported upi. That"s up from 11.3 percent in 2000, continuing a disturbing trend that puts the state"s growth in childhood poverty rates among the nation"s highest, The Denver Post reports. "It is incredible that from 2000 to 2008, our state has had one of the most dramatic increases in childhood poverty in the whole country," said state Rep. John Kefalas, a Democrat. He noted the state has a higher-than-average per-capita income, a diverse economy and unemployment below the national average. Still, childhood poverty continues to increase. "The implications of poverty on a child"s life are widespread and long-lasting," said Chris Watney, president of the nonprofit Colorado Children"s Campaign. Factors ranging from bad personal choices to stingy public policies contribute to children slipping into poverty. The consequences can be serious and permanent, the Post said: Impoverished children are more likely to suffer poor health, drop out of school, struggle with depression, become involved in crime, abuse drugs and alcohol and be abused or neglected. --SP
