The State of Colorado will launch the Universal Preschool (UPK) program for the 2023-24 school year. As part of this program, preschool families will be able to receive free preschool education for their children.

The Weld RE-4 School District will be a UPK school-based provider. Given our capacity, enrollment in the program will be limited by space. Participants will also be limited to approximately 10 program hours per week.

“We are excited to be a UPK school-based provider,” Early Childhood Coordinator Michelle Spencer stated. “However, we do want to be transparent with our community about the challenges we face. We know there is significant demand for preschool in the district, as we regularly have a preschool waitlist. Despite the launch of the state’s new program, we are still constrained by capacity.”

UPK Colorado provides families with preschool options that best fit the needs of students and families, like school-based, licensed community-based, or home-based settings. No matter which setting families prefer, all preschool families will need to submit an application through the online UPK portal. Applications for the 2023-24 school year will open January 17.

More information on UPK can be found on the state’s website.

For questions regarding our preschool program, please visit the Preschool webpage, or contact the Early Childhood Program Office at ec.info@weldre4.org or 970-686-8091.