Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that authorizes parents to request refunds on fees from childcare centers in Colorado.

Highlights:

• Limits the amount a licensed child care center, family child care home, or substitute placement agency (child care center) may charge for a waitlist fee or an application fee to $25 (Sec. 1).

• Requires child care centers to use a waitlist fee or an application fee to cover only the administrative burdens of managing a wait list or processing an application (Sec. 1).

• Requires child care centers to credit a deposit fee toward the family's first month of child care if the family secures a position with the child care center (Sec. 1)..

• Requires that for transparency and accountability to families, a childcare center shall create and publish a policy for establishing fees (Sec. 1). 

• Requires each child care center to make the information available to families in a clear and understandable format before families apply to and enroll in the child care center.

• Requires child care centers shall display the following information in a prominent and conspicuous location (Sec. 1):

• On the child care center's website, if applicable;

• In the child care center's facility at all times during operational hours; and

• On the child care center's application.

• Authorizes the Department of Early Childhood's (department) periodic inspections, or if a complaint is filed regarding fees, the department shall review the information in the child care center's policy for establishing fees to confirm the child care center is complying with the law (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if the department finds the child care center is not compliant, the child care center has 30 days after the date of inspection to comply. If the child care center does not comply within 30 days after the date of inspection, the department may take further disciplinary action (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning January 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes parents to request refunds on fees from childcare centers in Colorado.

Highlights:

• Limits the amount a licensed child care center, family child care home, or substitute placement agency (child care center) may charge for a waitlist fee or an application fee to $25 (Sec. 1).

• Requires child care centers to use a waitlist fee or an application fee to cover only the administrative burdens of managing a wait list or processing an application (Sec. 1).

• Requires child care centers to credit a deposit fee toward the family's first month of child care if the family secures a position with the child care center (Sec. 1)..

• Requires that for transparency and accountability to families, a childcare center shall create and publish a policy for establishing fees (Sec. 1). 

• Requires each child care center to make the information available to families in a clear and understandable format before families apply to and enroll in the child care center.

• Requires child care centers shall display the following information in a prominent and conspicuous location (Sec. 1):

• On the child care center's website, if applicable;

• In the child care center's facility at all times during operational hours; and

• On the child care center's application.

• Authorizes the Department of Early Childhood's (department) periodic inspections, or if a complaint is filed regarding fees, the department shall review the information in the child care center's policy for establishing fees to confirm the child care center is complying with the law (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if the department finds the child care center is not compliant, the child care center has 30 days after the date of inspection to comply. If the child care center does not comply within 30 days after the date of inspection, the department may take further disciplinary action (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning January 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes parents to request refunds on fees from childcare centers in Colorado.

Highlights:

• Limits the amount a licensed child care center, family child care home, or substitute placement agency (child care center) may charge for a waitlist fee or an application fee to $25 (Sec. 1).

• Requires child care centers to use a waitlist fee or an application fee to cover only the administrative burdens of managing a wait list or processing an application (Sec. 1).

• Requires child care centers to credit a deposit fee toward the family's first month of child care if the family secures a position with the child care center (Sec. 1)..

• Requires that for transparency and accountability to families, a childcare center shall create and publish a policy for establishing fees (Sec. 1). 

• Requires each child care center to make the information available to families in a clear and understandable format before families apply to and enroll in the child care center.

• Requires child care centers shall display the following information in a prominent and conspicuous location (Sec. 1):

• On the child care center's website, if applicable;

• In the child care center's facility at all times during operational hours; and

• On the child care center's application.

• Authorizes the Department of Early Childhood's (department) periodic inspections, or if a complaint is filed regarding fees, the department shall review the information in the child care center's policy for establishing fees to confirm the child care center is complying with the law (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if the department finds the child care center is not compliant, the child care center has 30 days after the date of inspection to comply. If the child care center does not comply within 30 days after the date of inspection, the department may take further disciplinary action (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning January 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text