Colorado
Working families in Colorado need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Colorado. But too many working families in Colorado are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Colorado economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
In the state, 65% of children have all available parents participating in the workforce, while the average cost of care is $20,978 a year (or $1,748 per month).
More than 11,000 children ages 5 and under have child care costs subsidized through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), or 13% of those eligible. The average copay with a CCDBG subsidy is $391 a month.
11.5K children receive care, learning, nutrition, and other services at no cost through Early Head Start/Head Start (or 17% of those eligible for Early Head Start and 34% of those eligible for Head Start).
And 92.1K working families have the cost of their child care offset through the Child + Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
However, many working parents still struggle to access affordable, quality child care, which costs the state’s economy an estimated $3.3 billion each year in lost earnings and productivity.
Colorado: In The Headlines
Colorado’s early educators shape children’s futures, but struggle to pay their bills
The Denver Post | October 19, 2026
Colorado’s early childhood educators shape children during their most formative years, yet they remain among the lowest-paid workers in education.
Opinion: If we want quality early childhood education, we have to invest in the people doing the work
Daily Camera | October 8, 2026
“Here’s what I wish more people in Washington understood: The first five years of a child’s life are a critical window of opportunity because the brain develops more rapidly during this period than at any other stage.”
Childcare a costly challenge for families: How much it can cost in Colorado
9 News | October 19, 2026
An infant or toddler costs an average of $20,978 for a year of daycare, according to First Five Years Fund. That costs more than a year of in-state tuition at CU.
Colorado Resources & News
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FFYF 2026 Head Start State Fact Sheets
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FFYF State Fact Sheets: Child Care and Early Learning, 2026
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FFYF’s 2022 Child Care & Early Learning State Fact Sheets
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Colorado — Federal Support for Early Learning & Care Opportunities
High-quality early childhood education is proven to dramatically improve a child’s opportunities for a better future—particularly children from low-income families—while offering parents improved job stability and overall economic security. To …
FFYF Releases State Fact Sheets, Highlighting Unique Local Landscapes
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Biden Releases Early Learning and Care Plan as White House Focuses on Child Care in Colorado Visit
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