Universal Preschool (UPK)
HB22-1295 established the Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK) to offer voluntary, high-quality universal preschool to every Colorado child in the year before kindergarten. High-quality preschool has demonstrated positive outcomes for children and families in the short and long-term.
How does it work?
- All children who will be 4 years-old on or before October 1 are eligible to apply for 15 hours of free, high quality preschool in their year before kindergarten.
- Families may be eligible for more hours based on a number of qualifying factors.
Who is eligible for additional hours?
- Children who live in low-income families (defined as household income at or below 270% of the federal poverty level) AND have a qualifying factor of:
- Child is homeless or unhoused
- Child is multilingual
- Child is eligible for special education through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Child is in poverty (defined as household income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level)
- Child is currently in the custody of a state or county administered foster care home or non-certified kinship care
How do I apply for UPK?
- New and returning families of children who will be 4-years old on or before October 1 must complete the UPK application through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC).
- Families of children who will be 3 years-old on or before October 1 and who are not receiving special education services must contact the Aurora Public Schools Department of Early Childhood to enroll in preschool.
- Families of children who will be 3 years-old on or before October 1 and who are receiving special education services must contact the Special Education Administrative Unit (AU) of Aurora Public Schools to be placed according to their child’s IEP.