Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Coverage of Colorado Department of Early Childhood in the Nexus archive.
- Colorado’s preschool program is reaching lots of kids but needs to focus on quality, new evaluation says
Colorado’s universal preschool program, which provides free preschool to 70% of 4-year-olds, faces quality concerns despite high enrollment. A state-mandated evaluation found it meets only two of ten benchmarks for quality, with issues related to class size, curriculum, and teacher training. State officials plan to implement changes to improve standards over the next few years.
- More than 19,000 Colorado childcare workers benefit from new state tax credit in first year
More than 19,000 Colorado childcare workers received a $1,200 tax credit in 2025 under a new state law aimed at improving financial stability for caregivers. The Care Worker Tax Credit, available to low-income filers, includes workers in state-licensed facilities and informal caregivers, providing $23 million in relief. A separate expiring tax credit for early childhood educators also exists.