Universal Preschool CO Program Updates
The next Triad Bright Futures Provider Support Session is Friday, January 23, 2025 from 1-2pm. No need to register. Click HERE to join.
UPK family preregistration for the 2026-2027 school year is open: Colorado Universal Preschool | For Families. The first matching round will will be on 02/02/2026.
Current year (25-26) direct enrollment is still in place. Families should contact the providers directly.
New for Providers! This UPK overview and calendar tool includes important information and links related to UPK. As we receive additional information about Quality Standards and CDEC communications, we will update this tool so you can access all UPK-related content in one place.
Provider Expenditure Reporting Resources
- Expenditure Reporting FAQ
- Expenditure Reporting Guidance
- Expenditure reporting Template and tools
- UPK Provider Reporting – open office hours -12.17.25 – Recording
- Mandatory UPK Reporting Office hours_12.17.25 -Slide Deck
If you have additional questions about this process, you can email Enroll Metrix directly coupkpayments@metrixiq.com.
IEP Direct Enrollment Open Through End of 2024-25 School Year
IEP Direct Enrollment runs through the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Special Education Administrative Units (AUs) and school districts will request placement of students with IEPs. Providers will accept matches within 2 weeks of receiving a match.
Quality Standards Updates
The (UPK) quality standards include program requirements in Instructional Practice (IP), Healthy Development (HD), and Family & Community Engagement (FCE).
For updated information about quality standards, please see the newly revised Provider Handbook, pages 64-71. Note this document is live so be sure to consult the table of contents to confirm the correct pages.
Interested in Joining UPK as a Provider?
Providers can start registration and provide contact information for an Authorized Signer to be sent the Provider Agreement for signature. See this guide for instructions on completing your program setup form. If you have questions about provider agreements, please contact CDEC directly at cdec_procurement-contracts@state.co.us.
Tools to Promote Your UPK Program to Families
The materials in this shared folder are designed to help providers promote their program to families.
Resources include printable flyers that you can share with families to let them know that you are a participating UPK provider and how they can enroll their child. There are also emails that providers can customize and send to families.
(CDEC created a marketing toolkit for UPK providers and partners to promote UPK in multiple languages.)
Universal Preschool Handbooks & FAQ
Family Handbook 2024-25
Comprehensive information to help families understand the UPK program, sign their child up, and rank their providers of choice.
There are also answers to common questions, a tool to check age eligibility, and more.
Provider Handbook 2024-25
Check this link frequently for the most updated version of the UPK provider handbook. This is a live document and new information is added regularly.
Includes detailed instructions how to enroll, how the matching process works, answers to common questions, and more.
UPK Help Desk
The Triad Bright Futures Help Desk can help families and providers navigate the UPK portal, assist with reviewing rosters, and make requests to CDEC for seat adjustments.
The fastest way to get support is to submit an online ticket.
Need help with submitting a ticket? Here are how-to documents to guide you through it:
- Provider Help Ticket Guide
- Family Help Ticket Guide
- School District Help Ticket Guide
- Ayuda en español
If you cannot submit a ticket, you can email universalpreschool@state.co.us or call 303-866-5223. Please do not submit multiple requests for the same issue as it increases the volume of tickets and delays our ability to respond.