Title 26.5, Early Childhood Programs and Services
0 chapters · 110 sections in this title.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-508 Annual program review - audit
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(1) The health sciences facility shall annually prepare and submit to the department a report including an evaluation of the implementation of the program, the results achieved by the program based on the annual reports submitted by the administering entities pursuant to section …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-601 Legislative declaration
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(1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Young children from low-income families often struggle to achieve the same outcomes as their peers from higher-income families because they rarely have access to the same supports, particularly those supports with a focus on t…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-602 Definitions
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As used in this part 6, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Entity means an individual local implementation site, such as a provider of early childhood services; a school district, as defined in section 22-7-1003, or a charter school, as defined in section 22-60.5-102; a c…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-701 Definitions
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As used in this part 7, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Mental health consultant means an early childhood mental health consultant who is funded by appropriations allocated or awarded to the department for the program and who meets the qualifications outlined in the pr…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-706 Data collection - reporting
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(1) On or before July 1, 2023, the department shall develop a statewide data collection and information system to analyze implementation data and selected outcomes to identify areas for improvement, promote accountability, and provide insights to continually improve child and pro…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-707 Funding support
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The department and the department of health care policy and financing shall explore funding options for the program and improving access to mental health consultants, including access to various funding sources, as well as the children's basic health plan, article 8 of title 25.5…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-801 Legislative declaration
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(1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Colorado's economic recovery depends on its workforce having access to stable, high-quality, and affordable child care. Supporting the ability of Colorado's workforce to return to work during and after the COVID-19 public heal…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-901 Legislative declaration
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(1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Traditional methods of delivering family-strengthening service programs, which often require parents and their children to travel to a program site to access services delivered simultaneously to multiple families, often create…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-902 Definition
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As used in this part 9, unless the context otherwise requires, home visiting means a two-generation delivery strategy that is designed to overcome barriers to accessing services by providing a comprehensive array of voluntary, evidence-based, family-strengthening services to a fa…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-101 Short title
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The short title of this part 1 is the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program Act. Source: L. 2022: Entire article added, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 660, � 3, effective July 1. Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 26-2-801 as it existed prior to 2022.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-102 Legislative declaration
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(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that: (a) The state's policies in connection with the provision of child care assistance and the effective delivery of such assistance are critical to the ultimate success of any welfare reform program; (b) Children in low-income…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-103 Definitions
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As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Applicant means an individual or a family who submits an application to the Colorado child care assistance program. (1.5) Child care assistance program or CCCAP means the public assistance program for child care k…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-105 Colorado child care assistance program - department duties
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(1) In addition to any other duties specified in this part 1, the department, under the supervision of the executive director, shall: (a) Administer or supervise the establishment, extension, and strengthening of the Colorado child care assistance program in cooperation with the …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-107 Reconsideration and changes
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(1) A county department shall reconsider child care assistance awarded pursuant to this part 1 as frequently as and in the manner required by department rules. After further verification and record as the county department deems necessary or department rules may require, the amou…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-108 Appeals
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(1) (a) If a county department does not act on an application for child care assistance within a reasonable time after the application is filed, or if a county department denies an application in whole or in part, or if a county department suspends, terminates, or modifies a gran…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-109 Provider rates - provider recruitment - provider
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(1) (a) No later than July 1, 2025, and at least every three years thereafter, the department, in consultation with county departments and child care providers, shall develop the calculation of provider rates with the goal of eventually ensuring the provider rates more accurately…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-112 Exemptions - requirements
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(1) Notwithstanding any provision of section 26.5-4-111 to the contrary, an exempt family child care home provider, as defined in section 26.5-5-303, is not eligible to receive child care assistance money through CCCAP if the provider fails to meet the criteria established in sec…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-113 No individual entitlement
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(1) Nothing in this part 1 or any rules promulgated pursuant to this part 1 creates a legal entitlement in any person to child care assistance. (2) A county shall not create nor be interpreted as having created a legal entitlement in any person to assistance pursuant to this part…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-115 Performance contracts
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(1) (a) Each county, either acting singly or with a group of counties, shall enter into an annual performance contract with the department that identifies the county's or group of counties' and the department's duties and responsibilities in implementing the child care assistance…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-116 Recovery from recipient - estate
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(1) If, at any time during the continuance of child care assistance, the recipient becomes possessed of property having a value in excess of that amount set pursuant to the provisions of section 26.5-4-106 (4) and department rules or receives any increase in income, the recipient…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-117 Locating violators - recoveries
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(1) The executive director or district attorneys may request and receive from departments, boards, bureaus, or other agencies of the state or any of its political subdivisions, and the same are required to provide, such assistance and data as will enable the department and county…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-119 State income tax refund offset - rules
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(1) (a) At any time prescribed by the department of revenue, but not less frequently than annually, the department shall certify to the department of revenue information regarding persons who are obligated to the state for overpayment of child care assistance. The information mus…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-120 Child and adult care food program feasibility study
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(1) The department, in consultation with the department of public health and environment, shall conduct or contract for a study to determine the feasibility of de-linking eligibility for the federal child and adult care food program from the Colorado child care assistance program…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-201 Short title
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The short title of this part 2 is the Colorado Universal Preschool Program Act. Source: L. 2022: Entire article added, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 686, � 3, effective July 1.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-202 Legislative declaration
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(1) (a) The general assembly finds and declares that: (I) Colorado has prioritized early learning through its investments in the Colorado preschool program, established in 1988, and full-day kindergarten, adopted in 2019; (II) Since establishing the Colorado preschool program, Co…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-203 Definitions
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As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Additional preschool services means hours of preschool services provided to a child in the year preceding enrollment in kindergarten that are in addition to the universal preschool services the child receives. (2)…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-205 Quality standards - evaluation - support
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(1) (a) The department shall develop and the executive director shall establish by rule the quality standards that each preschool provider must meet to receive funding through the Colorado universal preschool program. The quality standards must, at a minimum, address the issues s…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-209 Preschool programs cash fund - created - use
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(1) (a) The preschool programs cash fund is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of money credited to the fund pursuant to section 24-22-118 (2), money transferred to the fund pursuant to section 39-28-116 (6), and any additional money the general assembly may appropr…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-210 Reporting
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(1) Beginning with the hearing held in January of 2025 as part of the annual hearing held pursuant to the State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act, part 2 of article 7 of title 2, the department shall report on the implementation and e…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-301 Legislative declaration
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(1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) All children in the year before they are eligible to enroll in kindergarten should have access to social-emotional and academic supports that are important for school readiness; (b) The state should provide a wide range of cho…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-301.5 Definitions
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As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Pilot program means the online kindergarten readiness pilot program created in section 26.5-4-302 (1). Source: L. 2025: Entire section added, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2082, � 231, effective August 6. 26.5-4-302. O…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-303 Reporting
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(1) Beginning with the hearing held in January of 2025, as part of the annual hearing held pursuant to the State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act, part 2 of article 7 of title 2, the department shall report on the implementation of t…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-304 Repeal of part
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This part 3 is repealed, effective July 1, 2029. Source: L. 2022: Entire article added, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 712, � 3, effective July 1.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-401 Definitions
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As used in this part 4, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Abuse means physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child. (2) Coach means a person employed or volunteering as a coach, manager, or supervisor of a youth athletic acti…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-403 Background checks required
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(1) (a) A youth sports organization operating in the state of Colorado shall require all coaches to obtain, prior to starting work, a criminal history record check by a private entity regulated as a consumer reporting agency pursuant to 15 U.S.C. sec. 1681, et seq., and that disc…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-100.3 Definitions
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As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Colorado shines system means the Colorado shines quality rating and improvement system created in section 26.5-5-101 (1). Source: L. 2025: Entire section added, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2082, � 233, effective Augu…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-201 Short title
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The short title of this part 2 is the Colorado Infant and Toddler Quality and Availability Grant Program. Source: L. 2022: Entire article added with relocations, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 717, � 3, effective July 1. Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 26-6.7-101 as…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-202 Definitions
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As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Colorado child care assistance program or CCCAP means the Colorado child care assistance program created in part 1 of article 4 of this title 26.5. (2) Colorado shines system means the Colorado shines quality rati…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-204 Eligibility for grants - applications - deadlines
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(1) The department shall develop an application process and issue a request for proposals for the grant program, including notification of available money to early childhood councils, eligibility criteria, proposal requirements, and award criteria. (2) An applicant to the grant p…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-205 Reporting requirements
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(1) No later than August 15 each year, an early childhood council that receives a grant shall provide the department with an annual report concerning the outcomes of the grant. The report must include, at a minimum: (a) A summary of data received from early childhood education pr…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-301 Short title
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The short title of this part 3 is the Child Care Licensing Act. Source: L. 2022: Entire article added with relocations, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 719, � 3, effective July 1. Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 26-6-101 as it existed prior to 2022. 26.5-5-302. Legis…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-303 Definitions
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As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Adverse action has the same meaning as negative licensing action as defined in subsection (16)(a) of this section. (1.5) Affiliate of a licensee means: (a) Any person or entity that owns more than five percent of …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-304 Application of part - definition - repeal
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(1) This part 3 does not apply to: (a) Special schools or classes operated primarily for religious instruction or for a single skill-building purpose, as defined in department rule; (b) A child care facility that is approved, certified, or licensed by any other state agency, or b…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-305 Public preschool provider - licensing - rules
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Public preschool providers are subject to the requirements of this part 3. Because of the unique circumstances presented by preschool classrooms provided by school districts and charter schools, which circumstances do not arise in classrooms for older children and youth, the depa…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-309 Licenses - rules - definition - appropriation - repeal
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(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this part 3, a person shall not operate an agency or facility defined in this part 3 without first being licensed by the department to operate or maintain the agency or facility and paying the prescribed fee. A license issued by th…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-312 Application forms - criminal sanctions for perjury
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(1) (a) (I) All applications for the licensure of a child care facility pursuant to this part 3 must include the notice to the applicant that is set forth in subsection (1)(b) of this section. (II) Every application used in the state of Colorado for employment with a child care p…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-313 Applications - materials waivers - appeals - rules
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(1) A child care center that is subject to the licensing requirements of this part 3 is also subject to the provisions of this section. (2) (a) The department shall make available to licensed child care centers and include with every application form for licensure information con…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-314 Standards for facilities and agencies - rules - definition
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(1) The department shall prescribe and publish standards for licensing. The standards must be applicable to the various types of facilities and agencies for child care regulated and licensed by this part 3. The department shall seek the advice and assistance of persons representa…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-315 Staffing during emergency circumstances - definitions
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(1) During an emergency circumstance, a child care center may permit an employee who has successfully completed criminal background check requirements but is not a qualified caregiver to supervise children for not more than two hours while the child care center secures a qualifie…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-5-318 Notice of negative licensing action - filing of complaints
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(1) (a) When a child care center facility or family child care home facility licensed pursuant to this part 3 has been notified by the department of a negative licensing action or the imposition of a fine pursuant to section 26.5-5-317 (2) and (7), it shall, within ten days after…