Colorado parents with young children can sign up for the state’s new universal preschool program starting Tuesday.
Universal Preschool Colorado, which begins in the fall, is a voluntary program that offers families with eligible children up to 15 hours of free preschool per week.
More than 1,340 providers have signed up to participate in the program, offering roughly 50,000 seats, said Conor Cahill, a spokesman for Gov. Jared Polis.
The state estimated the program will save parents an average of $6,000 per year, according to a joint news release by the governor’s office and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.
Here’s everything you need to know about universal preschool in Colorado, including how to sign up.
What is the Universal Preschool Colorado program?
The program was created when Gov. Jared Polis signed HB22-1295 into law last year and will begin during the 2023-24 academic year.
Under the program, Colorado families can receive 10 to 15 hours per week of state-funded, voluntary preschool for their children in the year before their kids enter kindergarten. Some families may qualify for 30 hours if they meet certain criteria.
In 2020, Colorado voters approved a measure to raise taxes on nicotine products. Part of the revenue from those taxes, which is estimated to bring in $275 million annually by 2027, will go toward the preschool program.
The amount of money providers are paid per pupil varies, but on average they will receive $4,837.46 for 10 hours, $6,044.37 for 15 hours and $10,655.45 for 30 hours. You can find specific rates for 2023-24 at tinyurl.com/upkrates.
The program is part of the state’s Department of Early Childhood. There are also Local Coordinating Organizations that support the program in individual communities and can help families navigate resources. You can find your local organization at cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-universal-preschool/find-my-lco.
Who qualifies for universal preschool?
Colorado children — typically 4-year-olds — are eligible for half-day funding (meaning 15 hours per week) during the year before they would enter kindergarten.
Three-year-olds can also qualify for 10 hours per week of state-funded preschool if they meet certain criteria, such as if they are dual-language learners or are in foster/kinship care, according to the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.
The agency uses a cutoff of Oct. 1 to decide eligibility, meaning a child who turns 4 before this date in the year they want to enroll is eligible.
Can families receive more than 15 hours of free preschool a week?
Yes, families with eligible children and who have at least one of the factors below can get an additional 15 hours, bringing them to full-day programming:
- If they are considered low-income (270% of 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
- If a child is a dual-language learner and their native language or the language spoken in their home is not English
- If a child has an Individualized Education Program, or IEP
- If a child is in foster or non-certified kinship care
- If a child is experiencing homelessness
Can my child go to preschool for more than 15 hours per week?
Yes. Universal Preschool Colorado will pay for the half-day portion, while any additional hours would be covered through Head Start, local funding, Child Care Assistance or by parents themselves, according to the department.
How do parents apply for universal preschool?
Starting on Jan. 17, families can apply at upk.colorado.gov. There is no deadline to register, but the state encourages parents to sign up early. Children will be matched with providers in rounds, beginning in mid-February, according to a news release.
If my kid is already in a child-care program, can they stay there?
Yes. When applying, parents can note that they already have a child enrolled with a center. The state “will take this into account to provide continuity of care where possible,” according to the Department of Early Childhood.
I applied. What’s next?
After parents apply for universal preschool, they will receive an offer guaranteeing their child of children a spot from a provider from their list.
If the parents do not like the provider they are matched with, they are able to reject the match but may need to reapply, according to the department.
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