For Providers Participating in Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK)
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.
Four-year-olds with qualifying factors may be eligible for additional hours of preschool per week. Three-year-olds may also be eligible for UPK if they meet certain qualifying factors.
Direct Enrollment for the 2026-27 School Year
UPK family preregistration for the 2026-2027 school year is open: Colorado Universal Preschool | For Families. We are in the direct enrollment period.
New for Providers! This UPK overview and calendar tool includes important information and links related to UPK. As we receive additional information about Quality Standards and CDEC communications, we will update this tool so you can access all UPK-related content in one place.
The UPK Help Desk can help families and providers navigate the UPK portal, assist with reviewing rosters, and make requests to CDEC for seat adjustments.
Online: Help.UPK.Colorado.Gov (opens in new window)
Phone: 303-866-5223, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Please do not submit multiple requests for the same issue as it will delay the response.
UPK Help Desk for Providers & Families
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Expenditure Reporting FAQ
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Expenditure reporting Template and tools
If you have additional questions about this process, please submit a payment ticket or email coupkpayments@metrixiq.com.
Provider Expenditure Reporting Resources
Child Ratio Requirements
The ratios that are defined in rule and that must be met during all UPK funded hours are as follows:
In 2026-2027 the ratio is set to 1:11 unless the provider is rated a level 4 or 5 in the Department’s Colorado Shines Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) or they have a hardship waiver with Child Care Licensing.
In 2027-2028 the ratio is set to 1:10 unless the provider is rated a level 4 or 5 in the Department’s Colorado Shines QRIS or they have a hardship waiver with Child Care Licensing. Providers with a level 4 or 5 rating may utilize ratios defined in childcare licensing rules and regulations.
The provider’s rating as of July 1, 2026 will be utilized to determine ratios allowed. The pause in QRIS ratings will not affect or delay ratio expectations.
The (UPK) quality service standards include program requirements in Instructional Practice (IP), Healthy Development (HD), and Family & Community Engagement (FCE).
For updated information about quality service standards, please see the Provider Handbook, pages 74-75, and The Universal Preschool Quality Service Standards Guidebook. Note these documents are live so be sure to consult the table of contents to confirm pages.
CDEC Office Hours Recordings
UPK Quality Standards: Latest Update
UPK Family Handbook
Comprehensive information to help families understand the UPK program, sign their child up, and rank their providers of choice.
There are also answers to common questions, a tool to check age eligibility, and more.
UPK Provider Handbook
Check this link frequently for the most updated version of the UPK provider handbook. This is a live document and new information is added regularly.
Includes detailed instructions how to enroll, how the matching process works, answers to common questions, and more.
Providers can start registration and provide contact information for an Authorized Signer to be sent the Provider Agreement for signature. See this guide for instructions on completing your program setup form.
If you have questions about provider agreements, please contact CDEC directly at cdec_procurement-contracts@state.co.us.
Interested in Joining UPK as a Provider?
Licensed Providers Can Participate in UPK
UPK is available for nine months during the school year. The funding for each child's preschool tuition goes directly to the participating preschool provider.
For information on licensing and professional development, be sure to visit Child Care Innovations.
Providers that can participate in UPK include licensed family child care homes, licensed community-based centers, licensed school district programs, licensed charter school programs, and licensed Head Start programs. Licensed faith-based preschools can participate, but UPK funds cannot be applied during hours of religious programming.
To see the current Universal Preschool Program Rules and Regulations.
Preschool providers participating in UPK may serve the number of preschool students allowed for by their current child care license.