A new grant program aimed at supporting local and tribal governments in Colorado will open for applications on August 18, 2025. The Local Government Childcare Planning Grant Program is designed to help municipalities, counties, tribal governments, and early childhood development service districts better understand child care needs and adopt policy and regulatory best practices that promote the development of child care facilities.
The program was established by HB24-1237 and provides funding for planning efforts rather than capital construction or design. Grants are intended to assist local governments in hiring consultants or professional services to assess child care needs, including equity considerations. Funding can also be used to support changes in policies, programs, development review processes, land use codes, and related regulations that encourage the creation of new family and commercial child care facilities.
Applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting with program staff before submitting their proposals. The deadline for applications is September 24, 2025 at 5 p.m. MST.
According to the announcement: “This brand new program provides planning grants to local and tribal governments to help them better understand child care needs and adopt policy and regulatory best practices in order to promote the development of child care. Capital construction and design funds are not available through this program.”
Further details about the application process can be found on the official state website.
The intent of the Planning Grant Program is to fund planning work that leads to adopting strategies listed in a menu of best practices or other innovative options approved by program staff.
