Colorado ranks 20th in the country for the overall well-being of its children, up one spot from last year.
That's according to the 2016 Kids Count report. It also shows gains for Colorado children in several categories.
The state's teen birth rate has dropped 50 percent since 2008, the sharpest decline in any state. A controversial state program that gives young women free contraceptive implants and IUDs is credited for some of the decrease.
The number of uninsured children is down, as well as the state's child poverty rate.
But Bill Jaeger, a vice president with the Colorado Children’s Campaign, says poverty levels spiked after the recession.
“Compared to where we were prior to the recession, we’ve got a lot kids facing some economic insecurity," Jaeger said.
Colorado has also seen a drop in teens who abused alcohol or drugs, which mirrors national trends.
