Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK)

• All children in Colorado can register for up to one program year of 15 hours of tuition-free, high-quality preschool in their year before kindergarten, as defined by your local school district through Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) Program innovative mixed-delivery approach. 

• Dependent upon available funding, 30 hours per week of funding may be available for children who are “in poverty” (defined as household income at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines), or for children who are “low income” (defined as at or below 265% of the federal poverty guidelines) and have a “qualifying factor” outlined here. 

• UPK funding can not be utilized in any other school year than the year before kindergarten as defined by the local school district.

• 3 year olds may be eligible for funding if they meet certain criteria. Special Education Administrative Units (AUs) and school districts will place children eligible for special education according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP) throughout the school year.

• Families will receive this benefit through their selected provider August through May.

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