For every dollar spent on K-12 in Colorado, 10 cents are spent on 0 to 3-year-olds, and 13 cents on 3 to 5.5-year-olds.
Total Number of Children Age 0 to 3: 182,775
Total Number of Children Age 3 to K-entry: 165,309
Total Number of Children K-entry & up: 932,929
Expenditures by Source Total ECE Spending: $516.8 Million Total Federal Spending: $329.7 Million Total State Spending: $187.1 Million
Total Expenditures by Age 0 to 3 Spending: $236.7 Million 3 to K-entry Spending: $280.1 Million K-12 Spending: $11.7 Billion
Expenditures Captured in National Reports vs. Actual Expenditures ECE Expenditures Captured in National Reporting: $475.4 Million Actual State and Federal Expenditures: $516.8 Million Difference Not Captured: $41.4 Million (9%)
Colorado State Dedicated Programs 2022*:
Child Care Assistance Program
Early Childhood Mental Health Services
*Colorado has continued to invest in ECE since 2022. The following examples will be captured in future reports: Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Delays, Family Resources Centers, SafeCare Colorado