Website for UPK here.
NEW! Provider Registration Open for Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado
Memorandum on Special Education UPK FAQs - recently updated Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about special education and universal preschool have also been released by CDE. The FAQ was developed in response to questions from the field related to preschool special education and universal preschool (UPK). The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is responsible for administering special education, while the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) is responsible for administering UPK. Answers were developed by CDE with consultation from CDEC. Additionally, CDE Standards for Placement of Preschoolers with IEPS in Educational Programs has been released. These standards were identified by the Colorado Department of Education based on state and federal special education law, rules, and include supportive resources to assist with implementation.
CDE Standards for Appropriate Preschool UPK Special Ed FAQ
The Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK) Fact Sheet (draft) FAQ Sheet. Find my LCO.
UPK Colorado & NOCO Superintendent's Council Presentation - December 15, 2022
Rulemaking at the Department of Early Childhood Rules Advisory Council: - March 9, 2023 - February 9, 2023 - January 12, 2023 - December 8, 2022 - November 17, 2022 - October 13, 2022 - September 15, 2022 - September 1, 2022 - August 18, 2022 Rulemaking Hearings: - February 24, 2023 - January 26, 2023 - December 16, 2022 - November 21, 2022 - September 29, 2022
Articles about UPK: - "Gov. Polis signs Colorado universal preschool bill into law" - Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, April 25, 2022. - It’s school choice season in Colorado, but applying for universal preschool comes a bit later" - Anne Schimke, Chalkbeat, December 16, 2022. - "County universal pre-K enrollment strong" - Abby Harrison, Gunnison Country Times, March 15, 2023 " A work in Progress: Colorado New Universal Preschool Program continues rollout toward fall start" - Anne Delaney, Greeley Tribune, March 16, 2023. - "Tens of thousands of Colorado families have been matched with a universal preschool provider. Another 2,300 will have to apply again." - Erica Breunlin, Colorado Sun, April 26, 2023. - "More than 3,700 Colorado 4-year-olds qualify for extra preschool hours, with number likely to jump" - Erica Breunlin, Colorado Sun, July 24, 2023 - "The cost of universal pre-K in Colorado: Thousands of at-risk kids got less classroom time" - Brian Eason, Colorado Sun, March 4, 2024