Colorado Childcare Licensing
Colorado Childcare Licensing Fees (2026)
Colorado childcare licensing carries an application fee at first licensure and, in most cases, a recurring fee at renewal. The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.)
Licensing Agency
Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamColorado Licensing Fees: The Specifics
The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00
initial
for a large family child care home it is $100.00
8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES
for a small child care center it is $200.00
8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES
for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES).
8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES
(Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home
8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES
The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child
renewal
31+ centers: $300.00 base + $3.00/child), per the fee schedule in 8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES (effective July 1, 2020).
in 8 CCR 1402-1
A discounted continuation fee of up to 50% is available to certain Colorado Shines level 3-5 facilities serving high proportions of CCCAP children.
in 8 CCR 1402-1
Colorado Licensing Fees at a Glance
| Application fee | The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.) |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child; 31+ centers: $300.00 base + $3.00/child), per the fee schedule in 8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES (effective July 1, 2020). A discounted continuation fee of up to 50% is available to certain Colorado Shines level 3-5 facilities serving high proportions of CCCAP children. |
Go Deeper
Generate a Colorado-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Colorado childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Colorado Licensing Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Colorado childcare license cost?
The original (initial) license application fee for a family child care home is $65.00; for a large family child care home it is $100.00; for a small child care center it is $200.00; for a large center (16-30 children) it is a $175.00 base plus $3.00 per child, and for a center of 31+ children a $300.00 base plus $3.00 per child, effective July 1, 2020 (8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES). (Note: some secondary directories list ~$74 for a family home; the rule fee schedule states $65.00.)
What is the Colorado childcare license renewal fee?
The continuation (renewal) fee equals the original application fee and is paid for the one-year period from the licensed anniversary date: $65.00 per year for a family child care home, $100.00 for a large family child care home, and $200.00 for a small child care center (16-30 child centers: $175.00 base + $3.00/child; 31+ centers: $300.00 base + $3.00/child), per the fee schedule in 8 CCR 1402-1, Section 2.111 FEES (effective July 1, 2020). A discounted continuation fee of up to 50% is available to certain Colorado Shines level 3-5 facilities serving high proportions of CCCAP children.
Are Colorado licensing fees refundable?
In most states, licensing application fees are non-refundable even if the application is denied or withdrawn. Confirm the refund policy with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA) before paying.
Colorado childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Colorado administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning and Licensing and Administration (DELLA) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.