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Important Update to the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Application Process for 2025-26

Denver Public Schools

January 14, 2025

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood has announced that for the 2025-26 school year, families applying for ECE-4 must first submit a Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK) application, and the matching process will be completed through UPK (not through Denver Public Schools). Families applying for ECE-3 will submit a DPS SchoolChoice application, and the matching process will be completed through DPS. 

Steps to Apply for ECE-3

Children who turn 3 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2025 are eligible for ECE-3 for the 2025-26 school year. To apply:

  1. Submit a DPS SchoolChoice application by 4 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2025. We highly encourage you to participate in Round 1 of SchoolChoice for the best chance of getting matched to your preferred school.

  2. If your student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the DPS Department of Special Education, complete the UPK application to apply for funding. If your student does not have an IEP, no additional application is needed.

Steps to Apply for ECE-4

Children who turn 4 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2025 are eligible for ECE-4 for the 2025-26 school year. To apply:

  1. Submit the UPK application by Feb. 3, 2025.

    1. If your student does not have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the DPS Department of Special Education, rank up to 10 schools in order of preference.

    2. If your student has an IEP, the application will ask you to submit your application without making school selections.

  2. Submit the DPS SchoolChoice application to notify Denver Public Schools of your intent to enroll in an ECE-4 program next year. Select “Universal Preschool Colorado” as the school. DPS will support applicants with an IEP in selecting a school at a later time.

Visit the SchoolChoice website for more information about the ECE-3 and ECE-4 application processes.

Contact Information:

If you have questions about the UPK application or preschool providers in Denver, contact the Denver Preschool Program by emailing denverupk@dpp.org or calling 720-221-8500.

If you have questions about the statewide UPK Program, call 303-866-5223 or email cdec_upkcolorado@state.co.us.

If you have questions about the DPS SchoolChoice application, contact the Choice Hotline at 720-423-3493 or email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org.