First Universal Preschool Application Deadline Approaching for the 2026–27 Program Year

Applying by the February 2, 2026, deadline helps families maximize their options at one of our 2,000+ participating providers and allows providers and communities to plan effectively for the coming program year at UPK.Colorado.Gov

COLORADO - With the first round of the Universal Preschool application process ending on February 2, 2026, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) is reminding families to complete their applications for the 2026-27 program year.

"Universal Preschool is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in Colorado's future. By offering free, high-quality preschool to families across Colorado, we're giving every child a strong start while saving families money and supporting our workforce. I encourage families to apply by the February 2 deadline so they can take advantage of the opportunities free preschool provides and maximize their chance of getting their first choice," said Governor Jared Polis.

"Each application represents a family thinking carefully about what will best support their child's growth and learning," said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. "Universal Preschool is designed to be simple, accessible, and responsive to families across Colorado. The application takes less than five minutes to complete, and applying by the February 2 deadline helps ensure families can access the full range of preschool options available in their communities."

Universal Preschool continues to see strong and sustained interest from families statewide. As of January 26, 2026, families have submitted 23,431 applications for four-year-old children for the 2026-27 program year. The steady pace of applications reflects both growing awareness of Universal Preschool and families' increasing confidence in planning early for their child's preschool experience.

Universal Preschool offers families up to 30 hours per week of free, high-quality preschool and provides meaningful choices across a mixed-delivery system that includes state-licensed school districts, charter schools, child care centers, and community-based providers. Applying by the February 2, 2026, deadline helps families maximize their options at one of our 2,000+ participating providers and allows providers and communities to plan effectively for the coming program year.

Key Dates for 2026-27 Universal Preschool Enrollment

• February 2, 2026 - Deadline to apply for the first round of provider matching.
• February 25, 2026 - Families were notified of their first-round preschool match.
• March 6, 2026 - Deadline to accept or decline first-round match.
• March 15, 2026 - Deadline to apply for the second round of provider matching.
• March 24, 2026 - Families are notified of their second-round match.
• March 31, 2026 - Deadline to accept or decline second-round match.
• April 1, 2026 - Direct enrollment begins for families who didn't get a match.

The enrollment application for the 2026-27 program year will remain open throughout the multiple rounds.

Continued Strong Participation in the 2025-26 Program Year

While enrollment for the 2026-27 program year is underway, Universal Preschool continues to serve tens of thousands of children during the current 2025-26 program year, underscoring the program's growing role in Colorado's early childhood system.

To date, 44,387 four-year-old children have been served in the 2025-26 program year statewide. This highlights the sustained demand for preschool across Colorado and the importance of Universal Preschool in expanding access to early learning opportunities for families in urban, rural, and mountain communities alike.

For more information about Universal Preschool and how to apply, visit UPK.Colorado.gov.

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