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Welcome to the UPK Colorado Provider Resource Hub!

Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about participating in Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado. Whether you’re a new or established provider, this page offers clear guidance, key resources, and the latest updates to help you navigate the UPK program effectively. Our goal is to support you in delivering exceptional care and education to the children and families of Routt County.

What is UPK Colorado?

UPK Colorado provides every child in the state with access to a minimum of 10 hours per week of preschool in the year before kindergarten. Funded by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, the program supports families and early childhood education providers through improved access and funding.

Benefits of Being a UPK Provider?

Guaranteed funding for enrolled children.

Opportunities to expand enrollment and serve more families.

Support for implementing high-quality early education standards.

Professional development and training opportunities for your staff.

Participating UPK Providers in Routt County

Steamboat Springs

  • ​Heritage Park Preschool

  • Steamboat Montessori

  • Discovery Learning Center

  • Grandkids

  • Steamboat Springs School District: Soda Creek Preschool, Sleeping Giant Preschool, Strawberry Park Preschool

  • Steamboat Child Care Center

Hayden

  • ​Totally Tots

  • Hayden Valley Preschool

Clark

  • North Routt Community Charter School

Oak Creek/Yampa

  • SOROCO Preschool

UPK 2025 Important Dates

Metrix Message sent to providers

  • Metrix sent this message to providers on 1/31, for your reference.

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Family Match Email

  • The email families receive will ask them to login and accept their match. The link in the email should take them directly to the login page. Feedback from some families is that it is asking them to start another application or a new account. If this is the case, please guide them to click “login if you already have an account.” After they login, please be prepared to provide guidance on where to go to accept the match by referring to page 20 of the family handbook. We are working with Bridgecare to make sure the link in the email is correct and update the instructions to create more clarity on the steps that need to be taken.

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Registration Detail Updates

 

Further detail on steps for you and providers to note:

- Pre-Registration:

  • December 17 - February 3: Providers will receive matches each day for eligible family registrations, and will be able to accept or decline placements.

  • February 4 - 10:  Families must accept pre-registration matches.

  • Families will receive their matches at noon on the 4th to begin accepting

  • Feb 4 - Feb 9: Providers can adjust seats by adding seats on their own, or by connecting with their LCO to remove seats. 

 

- Family Matching:

  • December 17 - February 5: Registration through upk.Colorado.gov opens for families for the first round of matching. 

  • The last date for program uploads or archives before the first matching round is January 30th. 

  • February 3rd by 5pm: Families who submitted their application between 1/22/25 and 10:00 AM on 1/31/25 receive eligibility notification.

  • February 10: First family-to-provider matching round runs at noon. 

  • February 12 - February 21: Providers will review and accept or decline matches after receiving notification of matches at noon on Feb 12th. 

  • February 24: Families notified of first round matches at noon. Families must accept or decline by March 3.

  • March 3rd by 5pm: Families who submitted their application between 1/31/25 and 10:00 AM on 2/28/25 receive eligibility notification.

  • March 4 - March 9: Providers can adjust seats by adding seats on their own, or by connecting with their LCO to remove seats.

·        The last date for program uploads or archives for the second round of Matching is February 28th. 

  • March 10: Second matching round runs at noon. 

  • March 12 - March 21: Providers review and accept or decline matches after receiving notification of matches at noon on March 12th. 

  • March 24: Families notified of second round matches at noon. Families must accept or decline by March 31.

  • April 1 until the end of the 2025–26 school year: Direct enrollment for non-IEP families directly through providers. Providers can adjust seats by adding seats on their own, or by connecting with their LCO to remove seats during this time.

 

Providers will receive these updated details on Monday morning via the portal. We will share the communication as soon as it is available.

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Do you have questions or need assistance? Reach out, we are here to support you!

Meg Franges
Executive Director
Email: mfranges@co.routt.co.us
Phone: (970) 875-4229


Pamela Nebel

Program Coordinator, Español
Email: pnebel@co.routt.co.us
Phone: (970) 875-4227

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