Colorado Department of Early Childhood

08/12/2026

Early Childhood Champion Spotlight: Cindy Keasling

As families prepare for a new school year, Cindy Keasling helps make one of the biggest milestones feel a little easier. As the Preschool Liaison for Pueblo County School District 70, she guides families through the preschool enrollment process with patience, compassion, and expertise, helping ensure more children get a strong start in early learning. We're proud to recognize Cindy as an Early Childhood Champion for her dedication to children, families, and the preschool community.

👉 Read Cindy's full Early Childhood Champion spotlight: https://cdec.colorado.gov/news-article/early-childhood-champion-spotlight-cindy-keasling

08/12/2026

Reminder: Rules Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting tomorrow!

Don't miss the upcoming CDEC public meeting to collaborate and discuss essential early childhood policy priorities.

Meeting Details:
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.

🔗Meeting Link: https://ow.ly/8CBK50ZyhL2

Topics on the Agenda:
➡️Presentation and Vote on the Colorado Child Care Assistance (CCCAP) Rule Package - Permanent Adoption
➡️Presentation and Vote on Early Intervention Rule Updates - Emergency Rules

If you have questions or wish to submit written feedback on the proposed rules, please email [email protected].

08/11/2026

Back-to-school season is here! 📚

CDEC team members joined students, families, educators, and community partners at the Jeffco Back to School Bash this weekend to help kick off the 2026–27 school year.

From family activities and live music to connecting with local resources and community partners, it was a great opportunity to meet families and celebrate the start of another school year.

Thank you to Jeffco Public Schools for bringing the community together, and best wishes to students, families, and educators heading back to school!

08/10/2026

Last week, the CDEC team attended the Rocky Mountain AI Network Conference to explore how artificial intelligence can help strengthen the way we work and better serve Colorado.

From workforce transformation and AI in procurement to strategies for optimizing costs and improving efficiency, the conference sparked valuable conversations about using technology thoughtfully and responsibly in the public sector.

Thank you to the Rocky Mountain AI Network for bringing together leaders from across industries to share ideas, explore innovation, and learn from one another.

08/08/2026

Exciting to see the impact of Colorado’s Employer-Based Child Care Grant Program in action! 🎉

Congratulations to TLC and the City of Longmont on this exciting investment to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities for children and families in the community.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is proud to support efforts that strengthen access to child care and help communities across Colorado build a stronger early childhood system. We’re grateful to celebrate this milestone with TLC as they mark their 70th Anniversary and Grand Opening! 💙

Exciting news! In a partnership with the City of Longmont, TLC was awarded one of a few Employer Based Child Care grants through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC)!

Thanks to Dr. Rebecca Vlasin, Division Director, Early Childhood Workforce for CDEC and Alyssa Pappas, Employer-Based Child Care Program Manager for CDEC for coming to our 70th Anniversary and Grand Opening on Saturday, July 25. We'd also like to send an enormous shoutout to the Colorado Department of Early Childhood for their support of high-quality early learning opportunities for all Colorado children!! Thank you!!

08/07/2026

Upcoming Public Rulemaking Meetings for August!

We are convening with our rulemaking advisory bodies and the Executive Director to continue collaborative discussions on early childhood rulemaking and policy priorities.

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Zoom sessions:

August 13 at 1:00 p.m. – Rules Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting
August 20 at 1:00 p.m. – Public Rulemaking Hearing (New Date!)

For more information: https://cdec.colorado.gov/for-partners/rulemaking-rules-advisory-council

08/06/2026

As part of Colorado's 150th anniversary celebration, CDEC Executive Director Dr. Lisa Roy joined Governor Jared Polis, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, and leaders from across the state for the unveiling of a new permanent exhibit honoring the 50 individuals who have served as Colorado's Lieutenant Governor.

Dr. Roy was honored to celebrate alongside former Lt. Governors Joe Garcia and Donna Lynne, as well as Lt. Governor Primavera, who shared that she is proud to be Colorado's first "Lt. Grandma" to serve in the role. She was joined by her granddaughter during the ceremony, a meaningful reminder of the generations these leaders have served.

Congratulations to everyone who helped bring this exhibit to life and preserve this important piece of Colorado's history.

08/05/2026

Every child deserves a strong financial start 💙

New federal savings opportunities are available to help eligible children build long-term financial security. Governor Jared Polis also recently announced that Colorado is participating in the Fostering the Future initiative, expanding these opportunities to eligible children and youth in foster care.

✔ Parents or legal guardians can open a federal child savings account for any child under age 18 with a valid Social Security number.
✔ All children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, and who are U.S. citizens with a valid Social Security number, are eligible for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution when they open an account.
✔ Parents or legal guardians of any child under age 18 with a Social Security number can open a federal child savings account.
✔ Parents, legal guardians, and employers can contribute up to $5,000 annually.
✔ Funds can be used for qualifying expenses, including higher education, purchasing a first home, or starting a small business.

🔗 Learn more through the official federal child savings account website or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) https://ow.ly/Y79m50ZweLs

🔗 Read the Fostering the Future Accounts FAQs https://ow.ly/thrN50ZweLq

Please note: CDEC does not provide financial or tax advice. If you have questions about your individual circumstances, please consult a qualified financial or tax professional.

08/05/2026

Great food, great company, and a great cause. 🌭💙

CDEC came together for our annual summer BBQ to celebrate another year of serving Colorado's children and families. We recognized colleagues celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, and more years of service to the State of Colorado, celebrated accomplishments from across the department, and spent time connecting as a team.

We also gave back by collecting school supplies to support children and families as they prepare for the new school year. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make a difference.

We're grateful for a team that celebrates one another, gives back to the community, and remains committed to serving Colorado every day.

08/03/2026

As fire season continues across Colorado, now is a good time to talk with young children about fire safety in a calm, age-appropriate way, practice your family's fire escape plan, and make sure everyone knows where to turn for trusted information and support if an emergency occurs.

Families can access free resources to:
🔥 Teach children about fire safety through the U.S. Fire Administration's Fire Safety for Children, the U.S. Forest Service's Smokey Kids, and Ready.gov Kids.

💨 Protect your family from wildfire smoke with CDPHE's Wildfire Smoke and Your Health handouts, available in English and Spanish. https://drive.google.com/file/d/13PLrNdmekXKmGVArNdgi8InQoQUT02fr/view

🏡 Find recovery guidance through the Governor’s Office’s Colorado Disaster Recovery Navigation Tool. https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/coloradodisasterrecovery/home

📍 Stay informed about active incidents and Disaster Assistance Centers through CDPS’ Disaster Information Hub. https://mars.colorado.gov/CORecovery

❤️ Support the families of firefighters who lost their lives in the Knowles Fire through donation opportunities identified by their families. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1VHxEkoU9s/