Starting as a pilot program in 12 communities, ECCs were created to promote an integrated delivery system of quality child care programs for children in low-income families, with a focus on aligning funding sources and reducing access barriers. In 1999, the legislature expanded the pilot by six communities, and HB07-1062 established a permanent ECC system in 2007 with the intention of statewide coverage. 

The new legislation also transitioned the focus from low-income families to all Colorado families with young children, creating a new goal of “increasing and sustaining the quality, accessibility, capacity, and affordability of services for children and their parents.” ECCs are statutorily charged with improving the quality and accessibility of services—from early care and education to family support and mental health—for children ages 0 to 5.

 ECCs function as community hubs by coordinating efforts and aligning resources among partners, including providers and caregivers, business leaders, and policymakers.

Following a competitive application and committee review process initiated by the Commissioners in Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties, Jefferson County Public Health was selected to convene the region’s Early Childhood Council.

Effective July 1, 2026 Jefferson County Public Health serves as the region’s Early Childhood Council, operating through the Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood. The goal of this transition is to strengthen coordination across the early childhood system and support long-term stability for families, providers and community partners.

We will work closely with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to understand who currently has an MOU and will establish a recruitment process for the 2026-27 QI Coaching program in July - August 2026.

Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood will hire coaches to support child care providers working on the Colorado Shines Quality Improvement program.

Adapt to Impact is currently available through Childcare Innovations. Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood will explore obtaining materials for check out. 

The number of trainings will remain the same and we anticipate growth in opportunities across training providers in the coming year. Please see “Who to Contact for What” below for a full list of organizations offering training. Gateway Partnership will offer one English and one Spanish EQIT course and one Trauma Responsive Care course in 2026- 2027.

The Gateway Partnership webpage is where you can find updates, key resources, and important information related to the new Council. 

If you would like to receive ongoing updates and announcements, we encourage you to sign up.

We will also launch communications through newsletters, email and social media channels.

Yes, a meeting calendar will be available. We anticipate meeting every other month once we move from the transitional Advisory Board to the permanent Board.  

Childcare Innovations will continue to offer licensing services to Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties after July 1. If you have other questions about what’s coming with SB26-020, please contact the Child Care Licensing and Administration Unit at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.   

 Child Care Licensing and Administration 

 Division of Early Learning Licensing and Administration (DELLA) 

 710 Street Ash Street 

 Denver, CO 80246 

Phone: 1-800-799-5876 or 303-866-5948 

Fax: 303-866-4453 

 cdec_communications@state.co.us  

Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood will be managing CCR&R for Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties only.  

Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood will assist with updating your program openings. You can also reference this help guide from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

Professional development will be available. Please see the “Who to Contact for What” on our webpage for a full list of organizations offering training. More details will be coming soon. 

Yes, beginning July 1, 2026, family and provider enrollment support will move to the Colorado UPK State Help Desk , available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You can complete a help request form (fastest), email cdec_upk-program@state.co.us or call 303-866-5223.

Certain functions, previously managed by LCOs, now require families or providers to submit helpdesk tickets themselves, including updating child information, family login issues, provider inquiries, cut-off date changes, administrative transfers and 3-year-old (non-IEP) issues.

The Gateway Partnership team will continue to provide locally- focused UPK outreach and high-need support, previously offered by Triad Bright Futures, along with guidance on quality standards.  

Both Family and Provider Guides are available on the CDEC website and emailed directly to participants. 

Please refer to the information provided by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood on the QRIS refresh.

Please refer to the information provided by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood on the QRIS refresh.  

To comply with new legislation (SB25-019), all standalone Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs) must consolidate with their Early Childhood Council to streamline services and funding for families and providers. As a result, Triad Bright Futures will close on June 30, 2026. 

Beginning July 1, 2026, Bright Futures Roadmap workplans and UPK support will transition to Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood, under the Community Health Partnerships Division at Jefferson County Public Health. This transition ensures continued, coordinated support for families and providers. 

The Triad Bright Futures website will redirect to the Gateway Partnership site, where core resources will remain available. UPK enrollment help desk services will transition to the State help desk, while family and provider navigation support for UPK will continue through Gateway Partnership. 

No, the shift of UPK enrollment support to the state is not related to the formation of the Gateway Early Childhood Council. This change is being implemented statewide as a result of decisions by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and associated budget reductions. 

Beginning July 1, all counties—including Jefferson, Gilpin, and Clear Creek—will follow this new, centralized approach. Under this model, several functions that were previously handled by Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs) will now be managed directly by the state.

As a result, families and providers will need to submit helpdesk tickets for assistance with tasks such as: 

• Updating child or family information 

• Resolving login issues 

• Provider inquiries 

• Cut-off date changes 

• Provider onboarding 

• Administrative transfers 

• 3-year-old (non-IEP) enrollment issues 

While the state will oversee enrollment processes, Gateway Partnership will continue to play an important role by providing navigation and support to help families and providers understand and access the system. 

Providers and families should complete a help request form (fastest), email cdec_upk-program@state.co.us or call 303-866-5223 for assistance with enrollment

Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood provides navigation support. Please reach out to info@gatewayearlychildhood.org for assistance.

Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood is administering quality improvement grants. More details and contact information will be available. In the meantime, learn more about our QI Coaching approach and professional development.

The final details for quality standards implementation are being developed by Colorado Department of Early Childhood and information should be available soon. Please see the Triad Bright Futures website for current updates. 

Families will continue to have access to all the resources previously available locally through the Triad Bright Futures website, CCR&R and Family Navigation. UPK families will have access to the UPK central help desk and when needed, additional assistance locally from Gateway Partnership for Early Childhood.