Frequently Asked Questions

Colorado’s early childhood programs spread across multiple state agencies, eligibility requirements and funding streams, both families and providers face many challenges giving children access to the high quality early childhood experiences they deserve.

To simplify families’ and providers’ experience within Colorado’s early childhood system, in the spring of 2021, legislators passed House Bill 1304, which gave Colorado the opportunity to establish a cabinet-level Department of Early Childhood.

The Department of Early Childhood will bring the various early childhood authorities, programs, and funding streams into a single early childhood system designed to give every child and their family access to better beginnings from birth, through kindergarten and beyond.

Based on feedback from families and members of the early childhood community, in November 2021 and January 2022, the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) unanimously approved recommendations regarding the design of the new Department of Early Childhood and implementation of universal preschool.

House Bill 22-1295 give Colorado lawmakers a chance to further ensure equity and access to Colorado’s early childhood system by ensuring the new Department of Early Childhood gives families and providers 1) An accountable, transparent early childhood system led by a single state agency that streamlines programs and reduces burdens on families, providers, and programs 2) A unified application for early childhood services that matches families to funding and providers 3) A new universal preschool program for all kids the year before kindergarten, with more hours and access to programming at younger ages for families who most benefit from high quality preschool. 4) An integrated set of early childhood programs and services that support child development, parental success, and improved health and well-being for all families.

House Bill 22-1295 is sponsored by Rep. Emily Sirota and House Speaker Alec Garnett, Sen. Janet Buckner and Senate President Steve Fenberg, and it has the support of Governor Jared Polis. The bill has the support of a diverse range of supporters, including the Coalition for Better Beginnings Colorado.

By integrating preschool, child care and other programs and services designed to support parents and strengthen families, more families will have the opportunity to set their children up for a lifetime of success.

House Bill 22-1295 prioritizes additional funding for families facing the greatest barriers to opportunity based on income and other factors. The Department will work closely with the Colorado Department of Education, which will continue to ensure that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act protects the rights of all children, including the implementation of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process and delivering preschool special education services in inclusive settings.

Led by an executive director appointed by the governor, the Department of Early Childhood will align all early childhood and family support programs within one office that includes all programs and services delivered by the Office of Early Childhood, the Colorado Preschool Program (beginning in the 2023-24 school year), Early Childhood At-Risk Enhancement (ECARE) program, and the Early Childhood Workforce Development Team in the Colorado Department of Education, including the Professional Development Information System (PDIS) and early childhood assessments.

Integrating all rules, regulations and programs pertaining to early childhood and family support services into one department will reduce barriers and duplication with coordination at the local level and will make it easier for families and providers to access care.

In addition to funding provided by the 2020 passage of Proposition EE, the Department of Early Childhood will also include funding from the budgets of identified programs and services that will move into the new Department. These include: programs in the Office of Early Childhood, the Colorado Preschool Program, Early Childhood At-Risk Enhancement (ECARE) program, and the Early Childhood Workforce Development Team in the Colorado Department of Education, including the Professional Development Information System (PDIS) and early childhood assessments. Funding from the general fund will also support hiring the Department’s executive director and team as well as technology needed to implement universal preschool.

The new department will take effect upon passage of House Bill 22-1197, which moves the start date up from July 1, 2022.

Through the help of local coordinating organizations designed to put parents and providers first, the new Department of Early Childhood will require local coordination among providers, counties, school districts, and community-based organizations to launch the new universal preschool program and help create a full-day of preschool for those who need it most.

A local coordinating organization (LCO) is a community agency or organization that is responsible for supporting access and equitable delivery of early childhood and family support programs and services, fostering partnerships, creating alignment, and establishing a comprehensive, locally supported plan for providing early childhood and family support programs equitably within a given community. Learn more about local coordination organizations here.

Local Coordinating Organizations can include: government agencies, school districts, BOCES, early childhood councils, family resource centers, special taxing districts, Head Start grantees, local nonprofit organizations, charter school networks, and other public institutions. LCOs may submit an application to the Department that includes the proposed catchment area, evidence that the applicant has the support of families, providers, and the broader community, the LCOs plan for coordination with other entities, the LCOs plan to ensure mixed delivery, the proposed operating model, and a statement of the applicant’s history administering public funding.