Colorado’s Universal Preschool program saw unprecedented family engagement during the opening of enrollment for the 2026-2027 program year, setting new records for application submissions, system traffic and user participation since the program launched in 2023.
As of Dec. 22, families had submitted 12,886 applications for the 2026-2027 program year.
On the first day of enrollment alone, families submitted 5,913 applications, compared to 3,977 applications on opening day last year — an increase of 1,936 applications, representing a 48.7 percent uptick.
In the first hour of enrollment on Dec. 9, more than 4,200 visitors accessed the Universal Preschool system, with a sustained peak of approximately 1,700 concurrent users throughout the day.
The strong participation reflects growing awareness and trust in Universal Preschool, as well as continued improvements to the enrollment experience.
User satisfaction for the enrollment system currently stands at 84 percent, underscoring the program’s commitment to accessible, family-centered design.
“Free preschool has helped more than 100,000 families in Colorado save money and give children the best possible start. We are thrilled to see so many families signing up for the next school year while saving more than $6,300 per year. I look forward to visiting this new class of preschoolers,” said Gov. Jared Polis.
“Families across Colorado are clearly planning ahead and engaging early to secure preschool options that work for them,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, executive director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). “This record-breaking enrollment activity shows both the demand for high-quality preschool and the confidence families have in Universal Preschool. Our team continues to strengthen the system so it can meet families where they are and support children during this critical stage of development.”
For more information about Universal Preschool and how to apply, visit UPK.Colorado.gov.
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