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
Hickenlooper discusses child care funding concerns in Grand Junction
KJCT | April 7, 2026
Sen. John Hickenlooper spoke with members of the community about the cost of childcare in Colorado during a visit to the Confluence Center of Colorado on Tuesday.
How a child care shortage forces parents with babies to make tough choices in parts of rural Colorado
KUNC | mARCH 13, 2026
Colorado has a child care shortage. Many child care centers see more applications from families who need care than there are spaces available.
A day in the life of a child-free Coloradan — and the child care that makes it possible
The Denver Post | mARCH 30, 2026
State lacks enough affordable child care, the crucial but often ‘invisible’ infrastructure of everyday life.
Colorado Resources & News
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FFYF Briefing Room: Safeguarding Access to Affordable Child Care
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How a Lack of Affordable Child Care Impacts the Economy
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2024 Child Care and Early Learning State Fact Sheets
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2024 CCDBG State Fact Sheets
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FFYF Analysis of 2024 State of the State Addresses
Analysis of 2024 State of the State addresses given by Governors across the country found that child care, early learning, and early childhood received substantial attention across state and party …
Total Federal TANF & State MOE Expenditures for Child Care & Early Learning in FY2022
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides federal grants to states to design and operate programs that help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency. TANF plays a crucial role in …
How States Are Using PDG B-5 Grants to Support Career Pathways
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FFYF’S 2023 State Fact Sheets
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New 50 State Analysis Shows Impact of Federal Child Care Program
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How CCDBG Benefits Families in Your State
The Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the primary federal grant program that provides child care assistance to low-income working families with children under age 13. The majority …
FFYF’s 2022 Child Care & Early Learning State Fact Sheets
Our analysis of all 50 states and Washington, D.C. shows that the existing patchwork of federal and state early learning and care programs only reaches a fraction of income-eligible families. Federal …
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 …
Learn About the Positive Impact of MIECHV in Your State
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program provides federal funds to states, territories, and tribal entities for voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services. This program was reauthorized in …
2021 State Fact Sheets: Examining the Impact and Unmet Need of Federal & State ECE Funding
FFYF has released the latest iteration of its annual state fact sheets, which draw on numerous data sources to offer details about the early childhood opportunities in each state made …
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
This summer, FFYF released updated state fact sheets, which draw on numerous data sources to offer details about the early childhood opportunities in each state made possible through federal and state …
Biden Releases Early Learning and Care Plan as White House Focuses on Child Care in Colorado Visit
America needs child care relief to keep the industry afloat during the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The disastrous economic crisis has hit the child care industry especially …
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 …
Preschool Development Grant Funding Awarded to 26 States for 2020
UPDATE: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced additional three-year renewal grants are being awarded to South Carolina, Nebraska, and …
Updated Fact Sheets Show Opportunities for States
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See How All 50 States Use CCDBG Funding to Support Working Families Access Quality Child Care
Yesterday, our friends at Child Care Aware of America released a series of state fact sheets on the status of funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) …
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 …
46 States and Territories to Receive Preschool Development Grants
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