Colorado Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Colorado (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Colorado means applying to the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA), clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Colorado's licensing statutes.

Colorado Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Colorado launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.)
Annual renewal fee
The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child; 31+ centers: $300.00 base + $3.00/child), per the fee schedule in 8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES (effective July 1, 2020). A discounted continuation fee of up to 50% is available to certain Colorado Shines level 3-5 facilities serving high proportions of CCCAP children.
Pre-service training
Contact your Colorado licensing office to confirm.
Annual training
All staff who work with children must complete a minimum of fifteen (15) clock hours of ongoing professional development each year, of which at least three (3) clock hours per year must be in the focus of social-emotional development (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.213(M)).
License-exempt threshold
Contact your Colorado licensing office to confirm.
Family child care capacity
A standard family child care home may care for up to six (6) children from birth to eighteen (18) years of age, with no more than three (3) children under eighteen (18) months and no more than two (2) of those under twelve (12) months (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.307). A large family child care home may serve up to twelve (12) children from birth to eighteen (18) years (capacity includes the provider's own children under ten), must add a second staff member when more than eight (8) children are present, and may care for no more than two (2) children under eighteen (18) months of age (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.309).
Indoor square footage
Child care centers must provide at least thirty (30) square feet of usable indoor floor space per child, and in the infant program at least fifty (50) square feet per infant for sleep and activities (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.231 INDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT); centers must also provide a total outdoor play area of at least seventy-five (75) square feet per child for a minimum of one-third of the licensed capacity, or a minimum of 1,500 square feet, whichever is greater (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.524). Family child care homes must provide at least thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor floor space per child (Section 2.336) and at least seventy-five (75) square feet of usable outdoor play space per child in care (Section 2.337).
Inspection schedule
Fire department and local/CDPHE health department inspections are required before the original license, after qualifying renovations, and at least every two (2) years thereafter (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.122 - Fire Inspections, Health Inspections, and Zoning Codes). CDEC Licensing Specialists also conduct routine licensing monitoring visits, with frequency adjusted based on risk/compliance history. Emergency drills are required separately under Rule 2.138: fire drills monthly; tornado drills monthly March through October; and lockdown/active-shooter drills at least quarterly.

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Colorado

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Colorado's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Colorado. Contact your Colorado licensing office to confirm.

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Contact your Colorado licensing office to confirm.

    Plan for ongoing training too: All staff who work with children must complete a minimum of fifteen (15) clock hours of ongoing professional development each year, of which at least three (3) clock hours per year must be in the focus of social-emotional development (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.213(M)).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Colorado's facility standards. Child care centers must provide at least thirty (30) square feet of usable indoor floor space per child, and in the infant program at least fifty (50) square feet per infant for sleep and activities (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.231 INDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT); centers must also provide a total outdoor play area of at least seventy-five (75) square feet per child for a minimum of one-third of the licensed capacity, or a minimum of 1,500 square feet, whichever is greater (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.524). Family child care homes must provide at least thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor floor space per child (Section 2.336) and at least seventy-five (75) square feet of usable outdoor play space per child in care (Section 2.337).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A standard family child care home may care for up to six (6) children from birth to eighteen (18) years of age, with no more than three (3) children under eighteen (18) months and no more than two (2) of those under twelve (12) months (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.307). A large family child care home may serve up to twelve (12) children from birth to eighteen (18) years (capacity includes the provider's own children under ten), must add a second staff member when more than eight (8) children are present, and may care for no more than two (2) children under eighteen (18) months of age (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.309).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA) and pay the licensing fee. The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.)

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Fire department and local/CDPHE health department inspections are required before the original license, after qualifying renovations, and at least every two (2) years thereafter (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.122 - Fire Inspections, Health Inspections, and Zoning Codes). CDEC Licensing Specialists also conduct routine licensing monitoring visits, with frequency adjusted based on risk/compliance history. Emergency drills are required separately under Rule 2.138: fire drills monthly; tornado drills monthly March through October; and lockdown/active-shooter drills at least quarterly.

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Colorado rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infants (6 weeks to 18 months) 1:5 (max group size 10), Toddlers (12 months to 36 months) 1:5 (max group size 10), Toddlers (24 months to 36 months) 1:7 (max group size 14), 2-1/2 years to 3 years 1:8 (max group size 16), 3 years to 4 years 1:10 (max group size 20), 4 years to 5 years 1:12 (max group size 24), 5 years and older 1:15 (max group size 30), Mixed age group 2-1/2 to 6 years 1:10 (max group size 20), Formal kindergarten class session 1:25 during class session; 1:15 at other times of the day

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Colorado-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Colorado

Colorado licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • Pre-Licensing Orientation registration (completed through CDEC before applying)
  • Application for a License to Operate a Child Care Center (submitted via the CDEC Provider Hub; original application fee per 8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.111 (Fees))
  • Annual declaration of compliance / continuation declaration with annual continuation fee (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.107(B) and Rule 2.111)
  • Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)/FBI fingerprint-based criminal record check request, submitted through a CBI-approved fingerprint vendor (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.121 - Criminal Record Check)
  • Trails child abuse/neglect background inquiry request - state-prescribed form (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.120 - Child Abuse or Neglect for Background and Employment Inquiries)
  • Notification of Name Removal form - to remove a departed employee from the facility license number in the CBI database (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.121(D)(1))
  • CDPHE Certificate of Immunization, or Certificate of Medical Exemption, or Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption (6 CCR 1009-2)
  • Statement of the child's current health status signed by a health care provider (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.219(B)(2) - Statements of Health Status)
  • Department-approved health care plan for a child with an identified health/developmental condition (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.218(B)(3) - Admission)
  • Written medication order/authorization with parental consent, and written medication log (8 CCR 1402-1, Rule 2.220(B) and (L))

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Colorado requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA): Infants (6 weeks to 18 months) 1:5 (max group size 10), Toddlers (12 months to 36 months) 1:5 (max group size 10), Toddlers (24 months to 36 months) 1:7 (max group size 14), 2-1/2 years to 3 years 1:8 (max group size 16), 3 years to 4 years 1:10 (max group size 20), 4 years to 5 years 1:12 (max group size 24), 5 years and older 1:15 (max group size 30), Mixed age group 2-1/2 to 6 years 1:10 (max group size 20), Formal kindergarten class session 1:25 during class session; 1:15 at other times of the day.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Colorado licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Colorado-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · Colorado-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Colorado: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Colorado?
Contact your Colorado licensing office to confirm.
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Colorado?
The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.) Renewal: The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child; 31+ centers: $300.00 base + $3.00/child), per the fee schedule in 8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES (effective July 1, 2020). A discounted continuation fee of up to 50% is available to certain Colorado Shines level 3-5 facilities serving high proportions of CCCAP children.
Who issues daycare licenses in Colorado?
Childcare licensing in Colorado is handled by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA). You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Colorado?
Contact your Colorado licensing office to confirm.

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License-Exemption Thresholds by State

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Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Colorado statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA) before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.