How Much Does Childcare Cost in Colorado? 2026 Prices by County
Colorado childcare costs $1,100-$2,400/mo for infants, highest in Boulder. See Denver, Colorado Springs, and statewide daycare and preschool prices.
Quick answer: Childcare in Colorado costs about $1,100 to $2,400 per month for infant daycare, with Boulder the priciest ($1,700 to $2,400) and Denver close behind ($1,500 to $2,200). Toddler care runs $950 to $2,100 and preschool $850 to $1,800. Colorado now offers free Universal Preschool (UPK) for every 4-year-old.
Colorado's rapidly growing population and high cost of living have pushed childcare costs above the national average, especially along the Front Range and in mountain communities. However, the state now offers Universal Preschool (UPK) for all 4-year-olds—a significant new benefit that provides 10-30 hours of free preschool weekly.
This guide breaks down what families actually pay across the Centennial State, from the expensive Boulder market to more affordable options.
Average Child Care Costs in Colorado
Quick Overview
| Care Type | Denver Metro | Boulder | Colorado Springs | Mountain/Rural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,500-$2,200 | $1,700-$2,400 | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,100-$1,600 |
| Toddler Daycare | $1,300-$1,900 | $1,450-$2,100 | $1,000-$1,450 | $950-$1,400 |
| Preschool | $1,100-$1,600 | $1,250-$1,800 | $900-$1,300 | $850-$1,250 |
| Nanny | $3,200-$4,500 | $3,500-$5,000 | $2,600-$3,600 | $2,400-$3,400 |
| Home Daycare | $1,100-$1,500 | $1,200-$1,700 | $850-$1,200 | $750-$1,100 |
Colorado families spend an average of 12-16% of household income on childcare, which is above the national average.
Cost Comparison to National Average
| Care Type | Colorado Average | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,550/month | $1,350/month | 15% above |
| Toddler Daycare | $1,350/month | $1,200/month | 13% above |
| Preschool | $1,200/month | $1,100/month | 9% above |
Boulder and mountain towns can exceed national averages by 30-50%, while eastern plains cities are closer to or below averages.
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Denver Metro Costs
City and County of Denver
| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,650-$2,350 | $19,800-$28,200 |
| Toddler Daycare | $1,450-$2,050 | $17,400-$24,600 |
| Preschool | $1,250-$1,750 | $15,000-$21,000 |
| Nanny | $3,500-$5,000 | $42,000-$60,000 |
| Home Daycare | $1,250-$1,700 | $15,000-$20,400 |
By neighborhood:
| Neighborhood | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek | $2,100-$2,800 | $1,850-$2,500 | Premium |
| Wash Park | $2,000-$2,700 | $1,750-$2,400 | Popular with families |
| Highlands/LoHi | $2,000-$2,700 | $1,750-$2,400 | Trendy, walkable |
| Platt Park | $1,900-$2,600 | $1,650-$2,300 | Family-oriented |
| Congress Park | $1,850-$2,500 | $1,600-$2,200 | Near City Park |
| Capitol Hill | $1,750-$2,400 | $1,500-$2,100 | Urban |
| Park Hill | $1,800-$2,450 | $1,550-$2,150 | Diverse, growing |
| Central Park (Stapleton) | $1,700-$2,350 | $1,500-$2,050 | Planned community |
| Lowry | $1,700-$2,350 | $1,500-$2,050 | Former air base |
| RiNo/Five Points | $1,800-$2,450 | $1,550-$2,150 | Artsy, developing |
| Sloan's Lake | $1,850-$2,500 | $1,600-$2,200 | Lakefront |
| Green Valley Ranch | $1,400-$1,950 | $1,200-$1,700 | More affordable |
| Montbello | $1,350-$1,900 | $1,150-$1,650 | Most affordable |
Denver Suburbs
| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Preschool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Hills Village | $1,900-$2,600 | $1,650-$2,300 | $1,450-$2,000 |
| Greenwood Village | $1,850-$2,550 | $1,600-$2,250 | $1,400-$1,950 |
| Centennial | $1,500-$2,100 | $1,300-$1,850 | $1,150-$1,600 |
| Highlands Ranch | $1,550-$2,150 | $1,350-$1,900 | $1,200-$1,650 |
| Littleton | $1,500-$2,100 | $1,300-$1,850 | $1,150-$1,600 |
| Englewood | $1,450-$2,000 | $1,250-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,550 |
| Aurora (West) | $1,500-$2,050 | $1,300-$1,800 | $1,150-$1,600 |
| Aurora (East) | $1,350-$1,900 | $1,150-$1,650 | $1,000-$1,450 |
| Lakewood | $1,450-$2,000 | $1,250-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,550 |
| Wheat Ridge | $1,400-$1,950 | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,050-$1,500 |
| Westminster | $1,400-$1,950 | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,050-$1,500 |
| Arvada | $1,450-$2,000 | $1,250-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,550 |
| Golden | $1,500-$2,100 | $1,300-$1,850 | $1,150-$1,600 |
| Thornton | $1,350-$1,900 | $1,150-$1,650 | $1,000-$1,450 |
| Northglenn | $1,300-$1,850 | $1,100-$1,600 | $950-$1,400 |
| Commerce City | $1,250-$1,800 | $1,050-$1,550 | $900-$1,350 |
| Parker | $1,500-$2,100 | $1,300-$1,850 | $1,150-$1,600 |
| Castle Rock | $1,450-$2,050 | $1,250-$1,800 | $1,100-$1,550 |
Boulder County Costs
City of Boulder
Boulder has Colorado's most expensive childcare market, driven by limited supply, high demand from university and tech workers, and expensive real estate.
| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,850-$2,600 | $22,200-$31,200 |
| Toddler Daycare | $1,600-$2,300 | $19,200-$27,600 |
| Preschool | $1,400-$2,000 | $16,800-$24,000 |
| Nanny | $4,000-$5,500 | $48,000-$66,000 |
| Home Daycare | $1,350-$1,900 | $16,200-$22,800 |
By area:
- North Boulder, Mapleton Hill: Highest ($2,200-2,900)
- Downtown, University Hill: Very high ($2,000-2,700)
- Table Mesa, Martin Acres: High ($1,850-2,500)
- Gunbarrel: Slightly more moderate ($1,700-2,400)
- South Boulder: High ($1,850-2,500)
Critical shortage: Boulder has one of Colorado's worst childcare shortages. Waitlists can exceed 12-18 months for infant care. Start searching during pregnancy.
Boulder County Suburbs
| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $1,700-$2,350 | $1,450-$2,050 | Premium suburb |
| Superior | $1,700-$2,350 | $1,450-$2,050 | Near Louisville |
| Lafayette | $1,550-$2,150 | $1,350-$1,900 | Growing town |
| Broomfield (part) | $1,550-$2,150 | $1,350-$1,900 | Own county |
| Longmont | $1,400-$2,000 | $1,200-$1,750 | Most affordable |
| Erie | $1,500-$2,100 | $1,300-$1,850 | Fast-growing |
| Niwot | $1,600-$2,250 | $1,400-$1,950 | Small town feel |
| Nederland | $1,500-$2,100 | $1,300-$1,850 | Mountain town, limited |
Colorado Springs Area
City of Colorado Springs
| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,250-$1,750 | $15,000-$21,000 |
| Toddler Daycare | $1,100-$1,550 | $13,200-$18,600 |
| Preschool | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 |
| Nanny | $2,800-$4,000 | $33,600-$48,000 |
| Home Daycare | $950-$1,350 | $11,400-$16,200 |
By area:
| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadmoor | $1,550-$2,150 | $1,350-$1,900 | Premium |
| The Bluffs/Briargate | $1,400-$1,950 | $1,200-$1,700 | Growing north side |
| Flying Horse | $1,450-$2,000 | $1,250-$1,750 | Newer development |
| Downtown | $1,300-$1,800 | $1,100-$1,550 | Urban revitalization |
| Old Colorado City | $1,250-$1,750 | $1,050-$1,500 | Artsy |
| Powers Corridor | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,000-$1,450 | Commercial area |
| Southeast | $1,150-$1,600 | $1,000-$1,400 | Established |
| Cimarron Hills | $1,100-$1,550 | $950-$1,350 | More affordable |
| Security-Widefield | $1,050-$1,500 | $900-$1,300 | Near Fort Carson |
Colorado Springs Suburbs
| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monument | $1,400-$1,950 | $1,200-$1,700 | Between COS and Denver |
| Palmer Lake | $1,350-$1,900 | $1,150-$1,650 | Small town |
| Fountain | $1,150-$1,600 | $1,000-$1,400 | Military influence |
| Manitou Springs | $1,300-$1,850 | $1,100-$1,550 | Quirky mountain town |
| Woodland Park | $1,250-$1,750 | $1,050-$1,500 | Mountain gateway |
Military families: Fort Carson offers on-base CDC childcare with income-based fees.
Mountain Communities
Childcare in Colorado's mountain towns is extremely expensive and very limited.
| Location | Infant Daycare | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen | $2,200-$3,000 | Very Limited | Resort town premium |
| Vail | $2,000-$2,800 | Very Limited | Ski town |
| Beaver Creek | $2,000-$2,800 | Very Limited | Near Vail |
| Breckenridge | $1,700-$2,400 | Limited | Summit County |
| Keystone/Dillon | $1,650-$2,300 | Limited | Summit County |
| Steamboat Springs | $1,600-$2,250 | Limited | Ski town |
| Telluride | $1,900-$2,700 | Very Limited | Resort town |
| Durango | $1,400-$1,950 | Moderate | College town |
| Glenwood Springs | $1,500-$2,100 | Limited | I-70 corridor |
| Estes Park | $1,400-$2,000 | Limited | Gateway to RMNP |
Mountain town challenges:
- Severe childcare shortages
- High staff housing costs
- Seasonal demand fluctuations
- Limited facility space
- Join waitlists during pregnancy
Other Colorado Cities
Fort Collins
University town (CSU) with moderate costs.
| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,350-$1,900 | $16,200-$22,800 |
| Toddler Daycare | $1,150-$1,650 | $13,800-$19,800 |
| Preschool | $1,050-$1,500 | $12,600-$18,000 |
| Nanny | $2,900-$4,000 | $34,800-$48,000 |
| Home Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 |
By area:
- Old Town, Downtown: Highest ($1,500-2,100)
- Campus West: High ($1,400-1,950)
- South Fort Collins: Moderate ($1,300-1,850)
- Loveland: More affordable ($1,200-1,700)
- Windsor: Moderate ($1,250-1,750)
Greeley
| Care Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,150-$1,600 |
| Toddler Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 |
| Preschool | $900-$1,300 |
Pueblo
Most affordable Front Range city.
| Care Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 |
| Toddler Daycare | $900-$1,250 |
| Preschool | $800-$1,150 |
Grand Junction (Western Slope)
| Care Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Infant Daycare | $1,100-$1,550 |
| Toddler Daycare | $950-$1,350 |
| Preschool | $850-$1,200 |
Other Cities
| City | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Montrose | $1,000-$1,450 | $900-$1,300 |
| Alamosa | $950-$1,350 | $850-$1,200 |
| La Junta | $900-$1,300 | $800-$1,150 |
| Sterling | $900-$1,300 | $800-$1,150 |
Colorado Child Care Assistance
Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)
Colorado's main childcare subsidy program.
Who qualifies:
- Families at or below 185% federal poverty level
- Working, in school, or searching for employment
- Some counties have higher income limits
Income limits (2024):
- Family of 3: $46,000/year
- Family of 4: $55,500/year
What you get:
- Subsidy covers most childcare costs
- Copay based on income (can be $0)
- Can use at licensed centers, family childcare, or approved informal care
How to apply: Through your county Department of Human Services
Colorado Preschool Program (CPP)
State-funded preschool for qualifying children.
Who qualifies:
- 3 and 4-year-olds with identified risk factors
- Income is one of many risk factors considered
- Children with disabilities
- English language learners
Cost: Free for qualifying children.
How to apply: Through your local school district.
Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK)
Major new program starting 2023-2024!
Colorado now offers free preschool hours for ALL 4-year-olds—regardless of income.
Base Program (All Families)
| Family Type | Free Hours/Week |
|---|---|
| All 4-year-olds | 10 hours |
| High-need areas | 15 hours |
Extended Hours (Qualifying Families)
| Qualification | Additional Hours |
|---|---|
| Income below 185% FPL | +10-15 hours |
| IEP/disability | +10-15 hours |
| Homeless/foster | +10-15 hours |
| English learner | Additional hours |
Maximum: Up to 30 hours/week for qualifying families.
UPK Savings Calculation
Without UPK: Full-time preschool = $15,000-22,000/year
With UPK (10 free hours + extended paid hours):
- UPK: FREE (10 hours)
- Extended hours: $600-1,000/month
- Total: $7,200-12,000/year
Annual savings: $5,000-15,000
How to Apply for UPK
- Create account at universalpreschool.colorado.gov
- Complete eligibility survey (when child turns 3)
- See your child's hours and any additional qualifications
- Browse participating providers
- Apply to your top choices
- Enrollment opens late winter for fall start
Colorado Shines Quality Rating
Colorado's quality rating system for childcare programs.
Rating Levels:
- Level 5: Highest quality
- Level 4: High quality
- Level 3: Quality program
- Level 2: Meets standards
- Level 1: Licensed
What to look for: Aim for Level 3-5 programs for best quality indicators.
Search: coloradoshines.com
Ways to Save on Childcare in Colorado
1. Universal Preschool (4-Year-Olds)
Savings: $5,000-15,000/year depending on hours received.
Tip: Complete eligibility survey carefully to maximize hours.
2. Dependent Care FSA
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax.
Savings on $5,000 contributed:
- Federal tax savings: $1,100-1,500
- CO state tax savings: $220
- Total: $1,320-1,720/year
3. Colorado Child Care Tax Credit
Colorado offers a generous state credit tied to the federal credit:
- 50% of federal credit for families under $60,000
- 30% of federal credit for families $60,000-100,000
- 10% of federal credit for families over $100,000
Potential savings: $200-1,200/year depending on income.
4. Licensed Family Home Care
Home daycares cost 25-35% less than centers. Colorado has strong family childcare licensing.
5. Move East of I-25
Eastern suburbs (Aurora, Thornton, Commerce City) often cost 15-25% less than central Denver or Boulder.
6. Church and Faith-Based Programs
Colorado has many faith-based childcare options at 15-25% below market rates.
7. Employer Benefits
Major Colorado employers with childcare benefits:
- Tech: Google Boulder, Oracle, Workday
- Healthcare: UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado
- Aerospace: Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace
- Finance: Charles Schwab
- Military: Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Buckley SFB
Finding Childcare in Colorado
Where to Search
State resources:
- Colorado Shines (coloradoshines.com)
- Universal Preschool Colorado (universalpreschool.colorado.gov)
- Colorado Early Learning and Care
National resources:
- Care.com
- Winnie.com
- Yelp reviews
Licensing Requirements
Colorado licenses childcare centers and family childcare homes. Look for:
- Current license displayed
- Colorado Shines quality rating
- Staff-to-child ratios met
- Recent inspection reports
FAQ
Q: Does Colorado have free Pre-K?
A: Yes! Colorado now offers Universal Preschool (UPK)—10-15 free hours/week for ALL 4-year-olds, with up to 30 hours for qualifying families based on income and other factors.
Q: Is Denver or Boulder more expensive for childcare?
A: Boulder is typically 10-15% more expensive than Denver due to limited supply, high demand, and higher cost of living.
Q: Why are mountain towns so expensive?
A: Limited real estate for facilities, extreme housing costs for staff, high cost of living, and significant demand from resort workers all drive costs up.
Q: What's the most affordable city in Colorado?
A: Pueblo and Greeley offer the lowest costs along the Front Range. Grand Junction is affordable on the Western Slope. Eastern plains cities (Sterling, La Junta) are also affordable but have limited options.
Q: How do I find quality childcare in Colorado?
A: Use Colorado Shines at coloradoshines.com to search for quality-rated programs. Aim for Level 3-5 programs.
Q: When should I start looking for childcare in Colorado?
A: For Boulder: during pregnancy or before. For Denver premium neighborhoods: 6-12 months ahead. For Colorado Springs and other areas: 3-6 months ahead. For mountain towns: as early as possible.
Conclusion
Colorado childcare costs are above the national average, particularly in Boulder and mountain communities. However, the new Universal Preschool program provides significant relief for families with 4-year-olds, offering 10-30 free hours weekly depending on qualifications.
Key takeaways:
- Boulder is Colorado's most expensive market
- Universal Preschool offers free hours for ALL 4-year-olds
- Mountain towns have severe shortages and premium costs
- Colorado Shines ratings help identify quality programs
- Start early for infant care, especially in tight markets
More Colorado childcare resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Colorado?+
Infant daycare in Colorado ranges from about $1,500 to $2,200 per month in the Denver metro and $1,700 to $2,400 in Boulder, down to $1,100 to $1,600 in mountain and rural areas. The statewide average is roughly $1,550 per month, about 15 percent above the national average.
Is childcare cheaper in Colorado Springs than Denver or Boulder?+
Yes. Colorado Springs infant daycare runs about $1,200 to $1,700 per month versus $1,500 to $2,200 in Denver and $1,700 to $2,400 in Boulder. Boulder and mountain towns are the most expensive in the state.
Does Colorado offer free preschool?+
Yes. Colorado's Universal Preschool (UPK) program provides 10 to 30 hours of free preschool per week for every 4-year-old, regardless of income, in the year before kindergarten. That can save families $10,000 or more per year.
What other childcare assistance does Colorado offer?+
Beyond Universal Preschool, Colorado offers the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) for income-eligible families, plus Head Start and a Dependent Care FSA option that shelters up to $5,000 per year pre-tax.
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Written by
ChildCarePath Team
Our team is dedicated to helping families find quality child care options through well-researched guides and resources.
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