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Clear, independent answers to the questions parents actually ask about preschool and transitional kindergarten — grounded in your state's real rules.

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© 2026 PreschoolWise. Educational guidance, not legal or enrollment advice — always confirm with your school district.

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Colorado Preschool & TK

In Colorado, children must meet their local district’s kindergarten entrance age to enter kindergarten. Colorado has no transitional kindergarten ("young fives") program; its public early-learning option for younger children is state-funded pre-K. The state funds Colorado Universal Preschool Program (Universal Preschool, UPK), a free pre-K program open to all four-year-olds regardless of family income. Head Start is available statewide for income-eligible families.

Key early-childhood facts for Colorado

Kindergarten entrance cutoff
Kindergarten entrance age is set locally by each school district rather than by a statewide cutoff date.
Free pre-K options
Free state-funded pre-K is available to all four-year-olds through Colorado Universal Preschool Program (Universal Preschool, UPK).
Notes
Colorado has no transitional kindergarten program. Its public early-learning pathway before kindergarten is state-funded pre-K (Colorado Universal Preschool Program (Universal Preschool, UPK)) plus Head Start.

Head Start and early learning resources

Find local Head Start and state pre-K programs: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator

State early education website

https://cdec.colorado.gov/universal-preschool-colorado

Last updated 6/21/2026. Always confirm current rules with your state education department or local school district.

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