Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Council (RMECC) is now serving as the local implementation support organization for Garfield RE-2, Garfield 16, Lake, Pitkin, and Roaring Fork RE-1 after the passage of SB26-019. Additionally, as a result of budget constraints, the components of UPK will be shared at a higher level between the Colorado Dept of Early Childhood (CDEC) and local Councils (RMECC).
Therefore, RMECC is responsible for:
- Recruitment of programs to be UPK providers and connect providers to available information and guidelines
- Outreach to families to enroll in UPK – especially in areas where enrollment is low and support families in applying as needed
- Provide coaching and technical assistance to UPK providers on meeting the Quality Service Standards
CDEC is responsible for:
- Ensuring needed communication to providers through emails, memos, and their website.
- Keeping the UPK Resource Bank updated
- Supporting all back-end ticket support for the UPK on-line platform for both programs and families
- Providing payment to UPK programs – see latest information on rates
- Continuing development of the UPK Quality Service Standards and planned oversight and alignment with the Quality Improvement System refresh for the full early care and education system.
- Continued efforts related to rule-making process for UPK
If you are experiencing any challenges with the UPK on-line platform – start a help desk ticket by:
- Online: Help.UPK.Colorado.Gov (opens in new window)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 303-866-5223, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What is Universal
Preschool?
The State of Colorado supports at least 10-15 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.
Goals:
Qualifying factors and eligibility
4-Year-Olds
Children in Colorado can apply for up to 10-15 hours per
week of free, high-quality preschool in their year before kindergarten through Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program, also known as Universal Pre-K (UPK).
Qualifying factors will be determined through the UPK funding application and the enrollment process at the program your child will attend.
* Additional hours are dependent on available funding and program capacity.
UPK Funding for 3-Year-Olds
Funding for 3-year-old preschool is different from Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) for children in the year before kindergarten. Eligibility and funding depend on whether a child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
UPK Funding Rates (2026–2027)
The following annual funding rates are available through Colorado Universal Preschool:
| Funding Level | Annual Allocation |
|---|---|
| 10 Hours (Part-Time) | $5,020.68 |
| 15 Hours (Half-Day) | $6,330.43 |
| 30 Hours (Full-Day) | Funded only when required by a child’s IEP |
Children Without an IEP
If your child is 3 years old and does not have an IEP, preschool funding is administered through your local school district.
A child may be eligible if they:
- Are from a low-income family (at or below 265% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines), or
- Meet one or more state-defined qualifying factors, such as:
- Experiencing homelessness
- Being multilingual (dual language learner)
- Being in foster care or kinship care
- Other qualifying circumstances identified by the state
Please note: Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee a preschool placement. Funding for 3-year-olds is limited, and each school district determines how available funding is used based on local priorities and program capacity.
Payments: School districts receive monthly funding based on enrollment and report student enrollment through Metrix Enroll each month.
Children With an IEP
Children who are 3 years old and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) should apply through the Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) system.
Funding is determined by:
- The preschool program in which the child is enrolled
- The services outlined in the child’s IEP
Children with an IEP may receive funding for:
- 10-hour (Part-Time)
- 15-hour (Half-Day)
30-hour (Full-Day) funding is available only when a full-day preschool placement is required by the child’s IEP.
If a child’s IEP requires additional services beyond what UPK funds, those remaining educational services are funded through Special Education. Funding for preschool services for children with IEPs is coordinated through the child’s Administrative Unit (AU).
Payments: Funding is based on the child’s enrollment status and IEP placement in BridgeCare.
UPK Provider Resources
Universal Preschool Resource Bank
This Resource Bank is a collection of tools, templates, guidance, and information to help Universal Preschool programs and educators align their practices with Universal Preschool rules. The Universal Preschool rules include standards for program quality in three areas: family and community engagement, healthy development, and instructional practice. Additional resources will be added in response to the needs and interests of preschool providers.