What is the UPK Program?
The UPK (Universal Preschool Program) offers all children in Colorado the opportunity to apply for up to 15 hours a week of high quality preschool. The Universal Preschool Guide for Families explains how it works in more detail but in a nutshell:
- More hours may be granted to families based on different qualifying factors if additional funding is available. You will find more information here.
- Families have the option of paying for additional hours if the provider allows.
- If you have a 3 year old you should contact your school district (Larimer or Weld) for preschool services.
- Preschoolers with IEP (Individualized Education Program) should contact their Special Education Administrative Unit (AU) before registering for more information
UPK covers education in licensed community-based, school-based or home-based preschool settings that have registered with the state to participate in the UPK program. You can find qualified providers here.
Who qualifies?
Every child in Colorado is eligible for the UPK program in the year prior to their eligibility to begin kindergarten. For example, this year children turning 4 prior to October 1, 2025. Keep in mind, Families are entitled to only one school year of UPK per child, regardless of when they choose to start their child in kindergarten, unless they meet the standards for qualifying 3-year-olds.
UPK Important Dates and Information:
Pre-Registration
Families can pre-register with a known provider to continue care for a child currently enrolled, with a sibling currently enrolled, or with a family member currently employed with a Universal Preschool Provider. Families can apply here or work directly with their preferred provider to apply.
- December 17 - February 3: Pre-registration application window for families requesting Continuity of Care placements.
- February 3 - 10: Window for families to accept or decline their match.
Family-to-Provider Matching Rounds
Families just starting their path to preschool can browse more than 2,000 high-quality licensed providers, see if they qualify for additional hours, select their top ten preferred programs to be matched, and submit an application from December 17 through March 3. - February 3: Deadline to apply to be matched in the first family-to-provider matching round.
- February 24: Families are notified of first round matches. Families are asked to accept or decline by March 3.
- March 3: Deadline to apply to be matched in the final family-to-provider matching round.
- March 24: Families are asked to accept or decline their matched provider by March 31.
Direct Enrollment - April 1 - Throughout School Year: Families can work directly with a Universal Preschool Provider to enroll, if space is available, through the end of the school year, after the pre-registration placement and matching rounds end.
What to do if you don’t like the provider you were assigned?
Families can reject the provider they are matched with through the application process but might need to resubmit their application if they do so, depending on when the rejection is completed.
Tell me more.
Where do I sign up?
Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Where do I find my Local Coordinating Organization to make application changes?
How do I find my providers?
I'm ready to submit my application!
Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Please refer to the Universal Preschool Guide for Families for more details on the enrollment process, the program, and more.
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*Information found at Colorado Universal Preschool - https://upk.colorado.gov/
