The State of Colorado supports at least 15 hours of preschool for every four-year-old
Licensed preschool providers can participate in Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK); the program is voluntary for both providers and families. UPK provides up to 15 hours per week of preschool services for children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten.
2024-2025 Provider Handbook:
CDEC has created a handbook to help providers understand UPK more.
Important Dates for School Year 2025-26:
- December 17th-February 3rd:
- Pre-registration application window for families requesting Continuity of Care placements, sibling attending, or child of an employee.
- Through February 5th Registration through upk.colorado.gov open for all families.
- February 3rd-10th: Families must accept pre-registration matches.
- February 10th-March 3rd: First Matching Round
- 10th: DAA runs
- 12th-21st: Providers review and accept or decline matches.
- 24th-March 3rd: Families notified and must accept or decline matches.
- March 10th-31st: Second Matching Round
- 10th: DAA runs
- 12th-21st: Providers review and accept or decline matches.
- 24th-31st: Families notified and must accept or decline matches.
- April 1st: Direct Enrollment Begins
- Direct enrollment for non-IEP families directly through providers.
Goal:
- Support equitable access to high-quality care
- Help prepare children for kindergarten
- Support parent choice
- Be responsive to local needs
Portal Links!
- Parent Portal: upk.colorado.gov
- Provider Portal: https://provider.upk.colorado.gov/welcome
Qualifying Factors:
- Low-income (270% of 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
- Child is a dual-language learner
- Child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Child is currently in foster or non-certified kinship care
- Child is identified as homeless
Click Here for our Provider & Family Flyers!
We have created a website for families with more information to help answer additional questions you might have. Click HERE for more details.