Apply for 2026-2027 Preschool Support to Lower Preschool Tuition Costs

It’s time to start thinking about applying for preschool for the 2026-2027 school year and learning how to lower your preschool costs through Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) and Denver Preschool Program (DPP). Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) continues to refine its enrollment process to make it easier for families to apply. In fact, for the second year in a row, they are launching their application in December, which is two months earlier than the first year of the program. Plus, the Colorado UPK application can be completed in minutes, getting you on your way to saving on preschool costs quicker.   

Steps for Applying for Preschool Tuition for the 2026-2027 School Year

Here’s how to benefit from Colorado UPK and DPP tuition support to lower your preschool costs. 

Step 1: Find a Preschool that Works Best for Your Family 

The first step in lowering your preschool tuition costs is finding a preschool. If you want to apply for tuition support from Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) and Denver Preschool Program (DPP), look for Denver Preschool Program listed under Financial Programs at upk.Colorado.gov. Nearly all DPP providers participate in Colorado UPK. It’s always a good idea to double-check that your school is included by ensuring your school appears on both upk.Colorado.gov and find.dpp.org/city/denver.

For families wishing to enroll their child at a Denver Public Schools (DPS) preschool, visit DPS’ School Finder at schoolfinder.dpsk12.org to locate preschools that meet your needs. 

Need help finding a preschool? Use our How to Find a Preschool guide. 

Step 2: Apply for Colorado Universal Preschool 

Beginning December 9, 2025, families who want to participate in Colorado UPK through a family child care home, community, or center-based preschool provider can register for Colorado UPK. There are two ways for families to apply: 

• Continuity of Care: For families who qualify for Continuity of Care (those who are employed by a provider or who have a child already attending a participating preschool), the pre-registration window is December 9, 2025-February 2, 2026. Families will receive a registration link for continuity of care directly from their provider. Families must select their provider as their top choice when applying for Colorado UPK. Families must accept their pre-registration matches between February 2 and February 11. 
• Family Matching: Families choosing to participate in Family Matching (and who do not qualify for Continuity of Care) can register and select their top preschool choices at upk.Colorado.gov beginning on December 9, 2025.
  • • FIRST ROUND: Families who register by February 2, 2026 will participate in the first round of matching and will be notified on February 24 of their match. Families must then accept or decline the match by March 6. 
    • SECOND ROUND: Families who register between February 2 and March 16, 2026 will be notified of their match on March 24 and must accept or decline by March 31. 
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) Direct Placement: Beginning December 9, 2025 through the end of the 2026-27 school year, families who have a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) can register their child for an IEP Direct Placement with Colorado UPK at upk.colorado.gov.
• Direct Enrollment: Beginning April 1 until the end of the 2026-27 school year, families with children who do not qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) can apply for Colorado UPK directly with the provider of their choice. 

Step 3: Enroll Your Child in the Preschool 

Once you receive and accept your Colorado UPK match, you will enroll your child at that school. Every preschool has a unique application and enrollment process so check with your chosen school. You may need to pay an application fee. 

Please note that families wishing to send their child to a preschool in a school district, you will to fill out two applications (the Colorado UPK application and the district application). Denver Public Schools (DPS) SchoolChoice Round 1 application opens on December 2, 2025 at 10 a.m. and closes on January 20, 2026 at 4 p.m. Visit the DPS SchoolChoice website for more information. According to DPS’ website, if you choose to apply for Colorado UPK and enroll in a DPS provider, first fill out the Colorado UPK application during the first round of matching (December 9, 2025-February 2, 2026), and then also complete a DPS SchoolChoice application (which is open December 2, 2025-January 20, 2026). Download the DPSChoice_2026-27 Round 1 Flyer.

Step 4: Apply for DPP Tuition Credits

Once you are enrolled in the preschool then the next step is applying for DPP tuition credits. Denver Preschool Program offers online and PDF applications in 10 languages. If your child is enrolled in a Denver Public Schools (DPS) preschool program, the DPP preschool tuition application is included in DPS application materials, and your tuition credit will be paid directly to your provider.

Final Action: Take a Deep Breath 

Now that you have enrolled your child for preschool for the 2026-2027 school year, you can rest easy knowing they are on track with their education. You can also enjoy knowing how much you will save on preschool tuition costs from Colorado UPK and DPP. And, on top of that great news, you still have several months to prepare for the start of an exciting new chapter. 

For up-to-date information about applying for preschool tuition support from Colorado UPK and DPP, visit Get Tuition Assistance or our Colorado UPK webpage. The Colorado UPK Family Handbook also outlines the steps for applying for Colorado UPK. Visit DPS SchoolChoice for the most current information about DPS enrollment deadlines and processes.