Licensed Daycare in Colorado
Find the right daycare in Colorado in under 5 minutes. 7,614 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration. Free, no signup.
Listings updated May 2026 from official Colorado licensing records.
Colorado childcare by the numbers
Colorado Childcare Licensing
In Colorado, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:5 for infants under 12 months, 1:5 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.
What's distinctive about Colorado: Colorado consolidated child-care oversight under the Department of Early Childhood in 2022 — relatively rare. Costs cluster around Denver-Boulder; rural areas often run 40% below the state average.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration
- Infant ratio
- 1:5
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,430/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $1,080/mo
Colorado Daycare Costs by Age (2026)
Infant care in Colorado runs about $17,160/year. Family daycare homes typically cost 10–30% less than centers; Head Start is free for income-eligible families. Toddler & school-age figures are estimates derived from Colorado center averages.
Estimate your exact costHow to Get Childcare Help in Colorado
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Check eligibility for Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). Most Colorado families earning up to ~85% of state median income qualify for childcare subsidy assistance.
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Apply early — waitlists are common. Quality infant programs in Colorado often have 3–12 month waitlists. Start during pregnancy if you can. Intake line: (303) 866-5957.
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Stack federal help. The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit (20–35% of up to $6,000) and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 pre-tax) apply regardless of state subsidy.
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Verify the license before you sign. Confirm current status in the Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration database and tour during operating hours.
Top Cities for Daycare in Colorado
View all cities →Colorado Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Colorado families can apply for Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.
Local intake line: (303) 866-5957
Official Colorado & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Daycare in Colorado — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Colorado is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Colorado?
How much does daycare cost in Colorado?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Colorado?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Colorado daycare?
Where to get childcare help in Colorado
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programColorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(303) 866-5957 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration.
Official license searchHow this data is sourced. Listings for Colorado are compiled from official Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 7,614 Licensed Colorado Centers
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