The Assembly:
A Community Panel

What’s the Unify Montrose Assembly?

Unify Montrose is a partnership between Montrose residents and Unify America, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that helps communities collaboratively solve problems using the model of public deliberation. The group is also collaborating with the City of Montrose, the County of Montrose, along with many nonprofits, businesses, and foundations that serve the region.

The Unify Montrose Assembly — with community members who were randomly selected to reflect the demographics of Montrose County — met from August 27 through November 15, 2023.  Here’s what the Delegates did together over those 12 weeks:

  • 3 weeks of orientation,

  • 1 week on the “Status Quo” of childcare in Montrose,

  • 4 weeks deliberating 8 Actions,

  • 1 week deliberating Improvements to Actions and generating ideas for additional actions,

  • 2 weeks deliberating the 8 Delegate-Improved Actions with estimated budget and economic impact information, and 

  • 1 week deliberating Delegate Ideas.  

  • Are these childcare experts?

    Members of the Assembly were not experts on childcare. They represented everyday residents who care about Montrose and brought their unique and different perspectives to the table to learn more about the problem and the solutions together.

    Learn more about the demographics of the randomly selected representative Assembly.

  • Who was eligible for the Community Panel?

    To be eligible to serve on the Montrose Community Panel, members of the community filled out a form in the summer of 2023 with these requirements:

    • Currently live in Montrose county

    • Be 18 years or older on August 20, 2023,

    • Be available to participate Sundays, 4-6pm, or Tuesdays, 7-9pm (from August 27 to November 22, 2023)

    • Not be a current employee of the City of Montrose or County of Montrose, or a former or current elected official in any political office.

  • What did Delegates receive?

    The Unify Montrose Delegates received:

    • A stipend of $15 per hour, with a max of 2 hours per week of panel discussions

    • Compensation for an additional 2 hours of time for completing all the surveys throughout the process

    • Internet or computer equipment to take part in the jury, if you do not have access

    • Technical support during your participation on the jury

    • Support if you need childcare or other caregiving support

    • Materials and sessions conducted in English and/or Spanish

    • An incredible opportunity to lead your community to solve the childcare shortage

  • Is childcare really a big issue in Montrose?

    In 2021, a Montrose County Childcare Needs Assessment was published (you can read the full report here). In it, “Montrose County is classified as a ‘childcare desert’ meaning there are more than three times as many children as licensed childcare spots.”

    In fact, in the past year, the vast majority (87%) of respondents experienced one or more challenges (excluding COVID) finding and using childcare in Montrose County:

    • 53% of all respondents indicated that finding someone they trust is a challenge

    • 34% of respondents faced cost challenges

    • 33% of respondents with children under two said finding infant care was a major challenge; and

    • 19% of Spanish speaking respondents indicated that they could not find provider information in their language

  • Since the 12-week deliberation is over, what happens next?

    As for what comes next, Delegates and community members are leading the way and creating a new nonprofit. In late January, the group will host a community-wide event to reflect on the deliberation journey, introduce the next steps, and celebrate the many different perspectives that made this process rich and thoughtful.

  • What if I have more questions?

    For more information, please email montrose@unifyamerica.org.