(COLORADO SPRINGS) — After a year of universal preschool in Colorado, a new report is revealing that 70% of eligible 4-year-olds were reached by the program, and Colorado Springs School District 11 was the largest provider of universal preschool in El Paso County.

The Colorado Universal Preschool Annual Report was submitted to the Colorado legislature as part of SMART Act requirements and highlights how the program’s inaugural year helped bolster early childhood education for tens of thousands of children.

“Free preschool is saving Colorado families an average of $6,100 every single year and helping our kids get the best possible start in life,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “This report shows that we are reaching the vast majority of young learners and we are committed to continue serving even more students.”

According to a joint press release from the Governor’s Office and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), in its first year, Colorado Universal Preschool served 43,479 children, reaching nearly 69% of the state’s eligible 4-year-olds—a milestone that the release said positions Colorado among the top states for preschool access nationwide.

“This success underscores Colorado’s commitment to children and families,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of CDEC. “Universal preschool is strengthening families and providing a solid foundation for our youngest learners to thrive.”

Several successes were highlighted by the report:

Lowering families’ costs: The program saved families an average of $6,100 annually on preschool expenses, providing critical financial relief for other costs.

Expanding family choice: With more than 1,900 providers statewide, families had the flexibility to choose from community-based, school-based, and home-based preschool settings.

Serving diverse needs: Nearly 50% of children came from low-income households, with over 11,000 children also classified as being multilingual, experiencing ‘homelessness’, or having a disability.

Strengthening the sector: The program distributed $239.4 million to providers, enhancing sustainability and incentivizing growth.

“The impact of Colorado’s Universal Preschool program is profound,” said Michael Gaal, Superintendent of Colorado Springs School District 11. “District 11 is proud to be the largest provider of Universal Preschool serving more than 1,000 preschoolers in El Paso County, with 31 of our 33 elementary schools offering the program. By investing in early childhood education, Colorado is setting the foundation for success. This program will not only benefit our students today, but its impact will continue to be felt for years to come.”

The report also outlines ongoing challenges, including shortages of providers in certain regions and workforce gaps. In response, the CDEC and Governor’s Office said the program has expanded full-day preschool (30 hours/week) for children in poverty and is launching a Provider Resource Bank to improve quality and accessibility statewide.