Colorado childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 64 Colorado counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Colorado centers runs about $235 per week at the median, above the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $235 | $1,018 | $186 |
| Toddler | $215 | $932 | $180 |
| Preschool | $202 | $875 | $180 |
| School-age | $149 | $646 | $154 |
Medians across Colorado counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | $392/wk | $271/wk | $246/wk |
| Alamosa County | $172/wk | $120/wk | $165/wk |
| Arapahoe County | $377/wk | $281/wk | $257/wk |
| Archuleta County | $223/wk | $189/wk | $224/wk |
| Baca County | $104/wk | $114/wk | $91/wk |
| Bent County | $104/wk | $101/wk | $88/wk |
| Boulder County | $404/wk | $348/wk | $269/wk |
| Broomfield County | $341/wk | $265/wk | $311/wk |
| Chaffee County | $283/wk | $372/wk | $260/wk |
| Cheyenne County | $104/wk | $372/wk | $149/wk |
| Clear Creek County | $279/wk | $208/wk | $235/wk |
| Conejos County | $104/wk | $87/wk | $179/wk |
| Costilla County | $183/wk | $138/wk | $152/wk |
| Crowley County | $182/wk | $137/wk | $152/wk |
| Custer County | $223/wk | $189/wk | $152/wk |
| Delta County | $153/wk | $192/wk | $143/wk |
| Denver County | $430/wk | $332/wk | $223/wk |
| Dolores County | $219/wk | $184/wk | $147/wk |
| Douglas County | $401/wk | $276/wk | $261/wk |
| Eagle County | $333/wk | $291/wk | $226/wk |
| El Paso County | $350/wk | $266/wk | $242/wk |
| Elbert County | $281/wk | $250/wk | $256/wk |
| Fremont County | $166/wk | $242/wk | $167/wk |
| Garfield County | $297/wk | $271/wk | $268/wk |
| Gilpin County | $294/wk | $245/wk | $232/wk |
| Grand County | $342/wk | $264/wk | $310/wk |
| Gunnison County | $285/wk | $155/wk | $216/wk |
| Hinsdale County | $300/wk | $228/wk | $185/wk |
| Huerfano County | $285/wk | $92/wk | $147/wk |
| Jackson County | $173/wk | $139/wk | $179/wk |
| Jefferson County | $415/wk | $327/wk | $271/wk |
| Kiowa County | $104/wk | $112/wk | $149/wk |
| Kit Carson County | $178/wk | $128/wk | $182/wk |
| La Plata County | $286/wk | $212/wk | $235/wk |
| Lake County | $232/wk | $167/wk | $210/wk |
| Larimer County | $391/wk | $291/wk | $232/wk |
| Las Animas County | $111/wk | $88/wk | $139/wk |
| Lincoln County | $168/wk | $180/wk | $137/wk |
| Logan County | $166/wk | $157/wk | $136/wk |
| Mesa County | $223/wk | $181/wk | $174/wk |
| Mineral County | $176/wk | $314/wk | $136/wk |
| Moffat County | $291/wk | $250/wk | $187/wk |
| Montezuma County | $194/wk | $157/wk | $147/wk |
| Montrose County | $238/wk | $181/wk | $139/wk |
| Morgan County | $173/wk | $196/wk | $135/wk |
| Otero County | $104/wk | $114/wk | $91/wk |
| Ouray County | $365/wk | $264/wk | $251/wk |
| Park County | $386/wk | $253/wk | $251/wk |
| Phillips County | $104/wk | $87/wk | $187/wk |
| Pitkin County | $273/wk | $263/wk | $328/wk |
| Prowers County | $104/wk | $116/wk | $149/wk |
| Pueblo County | $258/wk | $191/wk | $165/wk |
| Rio Blanco County | $186/wk | $281/wk | $152/wk |
| Rio Grande County | $179/wk | $130/wk | $198/wk |
| Routt County | $332/wk | $318/wk | $239/wk |
| Saguache County | $187/wk | $137/wk | $136/wk |
| San Juan County | $294/wk | $245/wk | $232/wk |
| San Miguel County | $403/wk | $317/wk | $311/wk |
| Sedgwick County | $104/wk | $92/wk | $149/wk |
| Summit County | $380/wk | $327/wk | $328/wk |
| Teller County | $283/wk | $151/wk | $141/wk |
| Washington County | $186/wk | $295/wk | $188/wk |
| Weld County | $341/wk | $252/wk | $245/wk |
| Yuma County | $162/wk | $106/wk | $182/wk |
Prices are county-level weekly medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices, shown for each county’s most recent study year in that year’s dollars. Some county figures are federal estimates rather than direct survey results, and actual tuition varies widely by program, schedule, and age policies. This information is a general benchmark only, not a quote or financial advice, and Seedling makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness. Always confirm current rates with local providers. Source: the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Read the full methodology.
Staffing rules drive these prices
Staff-to-child ratios are the biggest cost driver in childcare: Colorado requires one adult for every 5 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Colorado childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Colorado?
The median price for full-time infant care at Colorado centers is about $235 per week, roughly $1,018 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $202 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Colorado county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Denver County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $430 per week, while Baca County has the lowest at about $104 per week.
Is center-based or home-based care cheaper?
Home-based (family childcare) programs usually charge less than centers for the same age group: in Colorado, the median for infant care is about $186 per week home-based versus $235 at centers. Centers typically offer larger programs and more structured staffing, which is part of the price difference.
Where do these numbers come from?
They are county-level medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau), shown for each county's most recent study year. They are a benchmark, not a quote: actual tuition depends on the program, schedule, and age policies, so always confirm rates with local providers.