CDEC Memo Series
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) Memo Series is designed to streamline and clarify CDEC policies and expectations of county partners and contracted entities. There are two types of memos, which communicate the time sensitivity and importance of the policy and/or expectation: Operation and Information. Each memo type is described below or download the Memo Series Overview.
Note: The Memo Series may NOT be used to change, create, replace or waive any state or federal law or regulation/rule.
An Operation Memo (OM) provides detailed instructions for counties or other contracted entities to operationalize new or existing state law, state rule, federal law or federal regulation. OMs provide guidance to counties or other contracted entities on how to apply a statute or rule. However, OMs do not expand or create statutory or regulatory obligations , and are not legal advice. Instead, they are intended to help resolve conflicting practices or interpretations of a statute or rule. If a county or other contracted entity has a specific legal question, they should always consult their legal counsel. OMs may be used to inform counties or other contracted entities how CDEC will measure performance compliance and may cover administrative issues such as documentation, reporting, and database functionality. OMs help ensure clear and uniform administration of CDEC-supervised programs across counties and contracted entities.
Operation memos are active for up to three years, with an implementation and expiration date included on the header of each memo; after three years, they are archived and then re-issued if necessary.
UPK Operation Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
| OM-UPK-2024-0004 | CDEC Four-Year-old Preschool Services Funding and Payments | July 1, 2024 | June 30, 2025 | Universal Preschool, Four Year Old Preschool Services |
| OM-UPK-2024-0003 | Expenditure Reporting | November 20, 2024 | October 1, 2025 | Universal Preschool, Expenditure Reporting |
| OM-UPK-2024-0002 | CDEC Three Year Old Preschool Services Funding and Payments | November 21, 2024 | July 10, 2025 | Universal Preschool, Three Year Old Preschool Services |
| OM-Head Start-2024-0001 | Head Start and Universal Preschool Collaboration Funding Guidance | August 27, 2024 | August 27, 2027 | Head Start, Universal Preschool, Funding |
| OM-UPK-2024-0001 | UPK Quality Standards 2024-2025 | May 31, 2024 | July 1, 2027 | Universal Preschool, quality standards |
| OM-UPK-2023-0001 | UPK Quality Standards 2023-24 |
April 5, 2023 | July 1, 2025 | Universal preschool, quality standards |
| OM-UPK-2023-0002 | Infant and Toddler Waiver | September 11, 2023 | n/a | infant, toddler, waiver, Universal preschool, waiver-based exception, under-3-years-old |
Finance Operation Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
| OM-CFO-2024-0001 | State Fiscal Year 2024-25 CCCAP County Allocations | 6/24/2024 | 6/30/2025 | County Allocation, Financial Services |
| OM-CFO-2023-0001 | State Fiscal Year 2023-24 CCCAP County Allocations |
July 28, 2023 | June 30, 2024 | County Allocation, Financial Services |
CCCAP Operation Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
| OM-CCCAP-2025-0003 | Waitlist & Freeze Impacts on County Transfers at Redetermination | April 2, 2025 | April 2, 2028 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, Waitlist, Freeze, Redetermination |
| OM-CCCAP-2025-0002 | Child Welfare and TANF Referral Guidance for CCCAP Freezes and Waitlist | March 13, 2025 | March 13, 2028 | TANF, Colorado Works, Freeze, Waitlist, Child Welfare, CCCAP, Referrals |
| OM-CCCAP-2025-0001 | Child Welfare and TANF Referral Guidance for CCCAP Freezes and Waitlists | February 25, 2025 | February 25, 2028 | TANF, Colorado Works, Freeze, Waitlist, Child Welfare, CCCAP, Referrals |
| OM-CCCAP-2024-0003 | CCCAP Quality Improvement Expenditures Through TANF Block Grant and TANF Reserves | July 26, 2024 | July 31, 2024 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, Quality Improvement, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, Colorado Works, TANF Transfer, TANF Reserves |
| OM-CCCAP-2024-0002 | CCCAP State-Established Licensed Provider Daily Reimbursement Rates | June 17, 2024 | July 31, 2027 | State-Established, Licensed, Provider, Daily, Tiered, Reimbursement, Rate |
| OM-CCCAP-2024-0001 | July 1st County Entry Level Changes | May 13, 2024 | June 30, 2027 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, Entry Levels, Federal Poverty Levels, Stimulus |
| OM-CCCAP-2023-0006 | Child Care Assistance Program Performance Measures and Reports | November 20, 2023 | November 19, 2026 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, Department of Early Childhood, Measures, Performance, Program Integrity, Monitoring, Timely, Accuracy |
| OM-CCCAP-2023-005 | Revised CCCAP Application & Redetermination Forms | June 2, 2023 | Until Superseded | CCCAP, Application, Redetermination, Forms |
| OM-CCCAP-2023-0004 | Qualified Exempt Provider Rule Changes - Group Sizes | June 13, 2023 | June 30, 2026 | Group Sizes, Ratio, Qualified Exempt, Provider, Non-Relative Provider, Relative Provider, Unrelated, CCCAP |
| OM-CCCAP-2023-0003 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program 7.1.2023 Rule Changes | June 13, 2023 | July 1, 2026 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, Rules |
| OM-CCCAP-2023-0002 | Contracting With Another County To Support The Administration Of CCCAP | April 4, 2023 | March 31, 2026 | CCCAP, Contracts, Agreements, MOU, Administration |
| OM-CDEC-2023-0001 | Timely Processing for CCCAP Applications and Re-determinations |
Feb. 10, 2023 | Feb. 10, 2026 | CCCAP, Timely Processing, Application, Re-determination |
| OM-CDEC-2022-0004 | Revised CCCAP State-Established Licensed Provider Daily Reimbursement Rates | Sept. 26, 2022 | Sept. 30, 2024 | School-Age, State-Established, Licensed, Provider, Daily, Tiered, Reimbursement, Rate |
| OM-CDEC-2022-0001 | Revised CCCAP Application & Redetermination Forms | July 19, 2022 | Until Superseded | CCCAP, Application, Redetermination, Form |
| OM-ECL-2022-0004 | Revised CCCAP Rules | July 1, 2022 | July 1, 2025 | CCCAP, Rules |
| OM-ECL-2022-0005 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Performance Measures and Monitoring | June 30, 2022 | June 30, 2025 | CCCAP, Department of Early Childhood, Measures, Performance, Program Integrity, Monitoring, Timely, Accuracy |
| OM-ECL-2022-001 | CCCAP Stimulus Strategy Activities | June 6, 2022 | July 1, 2025 | CCCAP, Stimulus, ARPA, CRRSA, CCDF |
| OM-ECL-2022-0003 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program Memorandum of Understanding | June 1, 2022 | June 30, 2025 | CCCAP, Department of Early Childhood, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) |
| OM-ECL-2021-0010 | Instructions for the use of the Attendance Tracking System (ATS) Waiver | Dec. 20, 2021 | Dec. 20, 2024 | Attendance Tracking System, CCCAP, Manual Claim, Reimbursement, Payment |
| OM-ECL-2021-0009 | CCCAP Quality Improvement Expenditures Through TANF Block Grant | Nov. 19, 2021 | Nov. 19, 2024 | CCCAP, Quality Improvement, TANF, Child Care Assistance Program, TANF Transfer |
| OM-ECL-2021-0008 | Implementation of CCCAP State Tax Intercept Functionality | Sept. 15, 2021 | Until Superseded | CCCAP |
| OM-ECL-2021-0007 | Implementation of 7/1/21 Parent Fee Formula Changes | July 1, 2021 | Sept. 30, 2023 | CCCAP, Parent Fee, Formula, Rule |
| OM-ECL-2021-004 | Child Support Exemption for CCCAP | June 11, 2021 | Until Superseded | CCCAP, Child Support Exemptions, Good Cause, Counties, Child Care Assistance Program |
| OM-ECL-2021-003 | Electronic Colorado Works Child Care Referral Form | May 24, 2021 | Until Superseded | CCCAP, Child Care, Referral, Colorado Works |
| OM-ECL-2020-004 | Additional Guidance on Child Care for School-Age Children | Aug. 21, 2020 | Aug. 21, 2023 | CCCAP, Child Care, Authorize, Schedule, Rule, School-Age Children, Remote Learning |
| OM-ECL-2020-003 | Child Care for School-Age Children | Aug. 11, 2020 | Aug. 11, 2023 | CCCAP, Child Care, Authorize, Schedule, Rule, School-Age Children |
Archived UPK Operation Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
|
Archived CCCAP Operation Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
|
An Information Memo (IM) provides important information for counties or other state designated agencies, that is strictly informational and timely. Examples include announcements of grants that counties may apply for, posting of a Request for Proposal, a canceled webinar or training, etc.
UPK Information Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
| IM-UPK-2025-0004 | Rate Increase For Colorado Universal Preschool Providers | April 28, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | Providers, LCOs, HB22-1295, Rates, Universal Preschool, UPK |
| IM-UPK-2025-0003 | Universal Preschool Program Application Enhancements 2025 | March 18, 2025 | March 17, 2028 | Bridgecare, Administrative Unit, Geographical alignment |
| IM-UPK-2025-0001 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program & Colorado Universal Preschool Provider Reimbursement Updates | February 18, 2025 | N/A | Universal Preschool, funding, stacking, blending, braiding, provider rates |
| IM-UPK-2024-0001 | HIPPY Online Preschool Services | August 19, 2024 | August 19, 2025 | Universal Preschool, online, HIPPY preschool services |
| IM-HEAD START-2023-0001 | Head Start and Universal Preschool Collaboration Funding Guidance | September 11, 2023 | n/a | Head Start, Universal Preschool, UPK |
Community and Family Support Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
| IM-CCR-2024-0001 | Qualtrics Referral Survey for Colorado Community Response | January 31, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | CCR, human services, screen-out, referral, web-based link |
| IM-CCR-2023-0001 | Colorado Community Response (CCR) Program Conclusion | December 12, 2023 | June 30th, 2024 | CCR, human services, family strengthening |
CCCAP Information Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM-CCCAP-2025-0003 | County Child Care Assistance Program Allocation Transfer Process | April 2, 2025 | May 31, 2026 | CCCAP, Allocation transfer, Buys/Sells, County MOE |
| IM-CCCAP-2025-0002 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program & Colorado Universal Preschool Provider Reimbursement Updates | February 18, 2025 | N/A | CCCAP, Universal Preschool, funding, stacking, blending, braiding, provider rates |
| IM-CCCAP-2025-0001 | New Rules Training | January 13, 2025 | January 17, 2028 | CCCAP, Rules, Training |
| IM-CCCAP-2024-0006 | CHATS Pilot Refresh | December 10, 2024 | February 28, 2025 | CHATS, Pilot, Access, Training |
| IM-CCCAP-2024-0005 | CCCAP/UPK Dual Enrollment Data Updates | October 18, 2024 | October 31, 2025 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, Universal Preschool Program |
| IM-CCCAP-2024-0004 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Fall 2024 Rule Revisions | September 14, 2024 | September 30, 2025 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), State Median Income (SMI), Child Care Automated Tracking System (CHATS), Rules |
| IM-CCCAP-2024-0003 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program & Colorado Universal Preschool Dual Enrollment Data | May 31, 2024 | May 31, 2025 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, Universal Preschool Program |
| IM-CCCAP-2024-0002 | County Child Care Assistance Program Allocation Transfer Process | April 22, 2024 | May 31, 2025 | CCCAP, Allocation transfer, Buys/Sells, County MOE |
| IM-CCCAP-2024-0001 | Preliminary Federal CCDF Rule Change Cost Estimates | March 7, 2024 | March 7, 2025 | CCCAP, CCDF, Rules |
| IM-CFO-2023-0001 | State Fiscal Year 2023-24 Revised CCCAP County Allocations | December 7, 2023 | June 30, 2024 | CCCAP, Allocation, Financial Services |
| IM-CCCAP-2023-0006 | December 2023 CHATS Release Training | December 20, 2023 | February 29, 2024 | CCCAP, CHATS, Training |
| IM-CCCAP-2023-0005 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Federal Poverty Guidelines and State Median Income Figure Updates and Rule Section Number Changes | September 29, 2023 | September 30, 2024 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), State Median Income (SMI), Child Care Automated Tracking System (CHATS), Rules |
| IM-OES-2023-0001 | Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH) Waiver Update | August 28, 2023 | July 19, 2024 | Intentional Program Violation (IPV), Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH), Colorado Works (CW), Adult Financial (AF), Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Waiver |
| IM-CCCAP-2023-04 | CHATS Release Training | August 7, 2023 | August 7, 2023 | CCCAP, CHATS, Training |
| IM-CCCAP-2023-0003 | County Child Care Assistance Program Allocation Transfer Process | June 15, 2023 | May 31, 2024 | CCCAP, Allocation transfer, Buys/Sells, County MOE |
| IM-CCCAP-2023-0002 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program & Universal Preschool Colorado Collaboration Updates | May 31, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, CCCAP, Universal Preschool Program, UPK |
| IM-CDEC-2022-0003 | CHATS/ACSES Interface Changes | Nov. 18, 2022 | Nov. 18, 2023 | CHATS, ACSES, Child Support, CCCAP |
Archived UPK Information Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
|
Archived CCCAP Information Memos
| Memo # | Memo Title | Issue Date | Expiration Date | Keywords |
| IM-CDEC-2023-0001 | CCCAP Rule Public Comment Period Notice |
March 9, 2023 | March 19, 2023 | CCCAP, Rules, Public Comment |
| IM-ECL-2022-0002 | CCCAP Impact of Child Support Services Application Fee Changes | May 6, 2022 | May 6, 2023 | CCCAP, Child Support Services, Application Fee |
| IM-ECL-2022-0003 | County Child Care Assistance Program Allocation Transfer Process | May 31, 2022 | June 30, 2023 | CCCAP, Allocation transfer, Buys/Sells, County MOE |
CDEC is committed to informing partners, communities and families of opportunities to participate in the development and revisions of rules or statewide implementation plans. Visit the CDEC Rulemaking and Rules Advisory Council website for meeting information, agendas, rules packages and opportunities for engagement and participation.
Questions? Contact the Department of Early Childhood:
Phone: 1-800-799-5876
Fax: 303-866-4453
cdec_communications@state.co.us