DENVER (AP) – Senators have rejected a Republican proposal to limit the scope of how Colorado regulates child care businesses.

A Senate committee killed the bill on a 6-3 vote Thursday. The legislation from Republican Sen. Kevin Lundberg would’ve limited the Colorado Department of Human Services to issuing regulations that deal only with health and safety. Lundberg proposed the legislation because of outcry from child care businesses about rules the department is considering that seek to promote early childhood education.

The department’s rules originally would’ve dictated the number of crayons per box at child care businesses and the color of dolls for children. The department is no longer considering those proposals, but they’re continuing to draft new rules.

Lundberg says he wanted to do away with red tape.

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