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Colorado Shines


What is Colorado Shines?

Since 2015, our state has utilized the Colorado Shines Quality Rating Information System (QRIS) to rate quality and support the continuous quality improvement for all of Colorado’s licensed early care and learning programs serving children birth – 5.  Colorado Shines is embedded into the State’s childcare system, and all licensed childcare providers participate in this system and are rated from Levels 1-5.  Licensed programs automatically receive a Level 1 rating and have the option and opportunity to pursue higher ratings at Levels 2-5.  Coaching and quality improvement supports are available through funding available to providers annually.

Colorado Shines promotes quality in early care and learning programs by connecting families to licensed, quality-rated childcare and empowering providers to create safe, nurturing and educational environments.  The rating is a tool for assessing, enhancing and communicating the level of quality in licensed early care and education programs.  The QRIS provides a structure for rating early care and education programs that serve children birth-5 and uses research-based standards for supporting each program’s continuous quality improvement journey.


Colorado Shines Rating Process At-A-Glance

A Colorado Shines rating is a symbol of quality. The Colorado Shines rating is a guarantee to families that your program is licensed, in good standing and meets basic health and safety standards.

Colorado Shines rates the quality of Colorado’s early learning programs, on a scale of 1 to 5, based on how well your program:

  • Supports children’s health and safety
  • Ensures staff are well-trained and effective
  • Provides a supportive learning environment that teaches children new skills
  • Helps parents become partners in their child’s learning
  • Demonstrates good leadership and business practices

Once you receive a rating, Colorado Shines provides support to help your program continue to improve its quality. Colorado Shines is a flexible process that can be customized to meet the needs of each program.


For more information, check out the following resources:


If you have any questions or want more information about funding, contact:

Kristin Sparkman, Quality Initiatives Coordinator at 719-293-2378 or [email protected].