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Universal Preschool Colorado Title

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

  • Young Tracks

  • 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 Updates January 2025

UPK Expenditure Reporting

 

December CDEC Office Hours

These three sessions will be on questions that come in around anything you need more information on. Submit questions before the meeting using this form.

 

Expenditure Reporting Schedules

For the 2023-24 school year, CDEC will need to collect all expenditure data in one expenditure report from the providers. Providers will have a template that can be used to calculate costs that will then be uploaded/entered into an electronic form.

Please note, for the 2024-25 school year and moving forward, the provider agreement moves the expenditure reporting requirement to quarterly.

 

Expenditure Reporting Schedule 2023-24

  • For entire 2023-24 School Year: December 20, 2024

 

Expenditure Reporting Schedule 2024-2025

Expenditure Report Due

  • For Q1/Q2 (Aug 2024 -Feb 2025): March 30, 2025

  • For Q3 (Mar 2025-May 2025)/Final Reconciliation: June 30, 2025

 

Provider UPK Resources

UPK 2025 Important Dates

New provider UPK Setup

Step 1: Check License.

Ensure you are a currently licensed provider in the state of Colorado.

 

Step 2: Setup Login.gov account

  • Contact First Impressions of Routt County your Local Coordinating Organization. They will enter your name and email address into a staff profile attached to your business and licensed location in the provider portal.

  • Once they have submitted your information you will receive and email from login.gov to finish setting up your account.

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You can access this guide which details the steps required: Access the guide by clicking here


Step 3: Set Up Your Pre-K Programs
After creating an account, proceed through the Colorado Universal Preschool Provider Portal at provider.upk.colorado.gov for
Program Set Up.​

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- 25-26 Provider - Program Set Up Form Guide.docx - Google Docs

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Step 4: Sign Your Provider Agreement

After submitting your Provider Program Set Up Form, your LCO will review and verify the program details. From there,
CDEC will send the Provider Agreement to the Authorized Signer specified by the provider to executed via DocuSign
electronically. A copy of the provider Agreement can be found at bit.ly/UPKProviderAgreement- more information is
provided in this handbook under the Provider Agreement.

 

  • On a weekly basis, CDEC will provide a query to Contracts and Procurement for new Providers; to start the process for the Provider Agreement

  • Providers will receive an email from Contracts and Procurement with a copy of the service agreement and what’s needed; questions about the Provider Agreement process should be directed to Contracts and Procurement (CDEC_procurement-contracts@state.co.us)

  • Once your agreement is complete, you will received an email that looks like the image below. We recommend forwarding this email to your LCO.

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Step 5: Set Up Your Provider Profile

  • Promote your unique program(s) to new families looking for preschool providers. This is where you must enter your tuition or any other costs incurred by families. Please Note: Changes made to your provider profile will be visible immediately so be sure to note which changes will be available for families in each school year

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Step 6: Reach out to Metrix
Lastly, email MetrixIQ at coupkpayments@metrixIQ.com so they can send a link to set up your payment account.​​

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

Abigail Gustke

Program Specialist

Email: agustke@co.routt.co.us

Phone: (970) 870-5252

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