Depending on where you are in Colorado, average child care tuition ranges from about $6,000 to $20,000 depending on care type, with a statewide average of $12,784. Prices vary widely – with some programs exceeding $25,000 – so providers often want to know how their rates compare with nearby peers. Local benchmarks are a useful way to set initial prices or decide whether an adjustment may be warranted.

With this in mind, Playground reviewed average Colorado child care tuition by county and care type, from infant care through preschool, in both centers and homes in 2026 dollars. A full breakdown by county and care type is below, along with tips for pricing your own services.

Playground child care management software can help your child care center streamline operations, save money, and pay more attention to what matters. Book a free demo today.

How to price child care and daycare services in Colorado

While benchmarks and averages can be a great place to start when setting your own child care tuition, they should not be the only consideration. Factors unique to your business and locale will ultimately help determine what the “right” tuition rates are. You want to make sure you stay profitable – accounting for costs like rent, staff, and supplies – but also affordable to local families. At the same time, any service differentiators may warrant a premium on your prices.

Getting tuition right might require a little bit of adjustment based on your books and enrollment rates, so adjustments might be necessary throughout the years (not to mention keeping up with inflation). For a more thorough breakdown of how to methodically price your services, check out Playground’s full tuition pricing guide.

Average child care tuition in Colorado by center type and age

Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.

Most expensive counties in Colorado for child care

Out of 62 Colorado counties with available child care tuition date, those with the most expensive average tuition rates across care types include:

1. Summit County: $20,367

2. San Miguel County: $19,531

3. Boulder County: $19,435

4. Jefferson County: $19,149

5. Grand County: $18,288

6. Denver County: $18,232

7. Broomfield County: $18,106

8. Douglas County: $17,967

9. Pitkin County: $17,958

10. Routt County: $17,433

A further breakdown of the average costs by care type and center type can be found below.

Least expensive counties in Colorado for child care

At the other end of the spectrum, the following counties offer the lowest average child care tuition across care types in 2026:

1. Bent County: $6,031

2. Baca County: $6,245

3. Otero County: $6,246

4. Las Animas County: $7,158

5. Sedgwick County: $7,792

6. Kiowa County: $7,994

7. Conejos County: $8,021

8. Prowers County: $8,027

9. Phillips County: $8,923

10. Delta County: $8,989

A further breakdown of the average costs by care type and center type can be found below.

Average child care costs in Colorado by county

Counties are ranked based on the highest average annual tuition across care types, with breakdowns of average prices across infant, preschool and toddler care in centers and homes. 62 out of 64 Colorado counties had available data.

1. Summit County

• Average child care tuition: $20,367

• Infant, center-based care: $23,105

• Infant, home-based care: $19,929

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,739

• Toddler, home-based care: $18,776

• Preschool, center-based care: $19,877

• Preschool, home-based care: $18,776

2. San Miguel County

• Average child care tuition: $19,531

• Infant, center-based care: $24,529

• Infant, home-based care: $18,928

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,471

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,481

• Preschool, center-based care: $19,295

• Preschool, home-based care: $16,481

3. Boulder County

• Average child care tuition: $19,435

• Infant, center-based care: $24,575

• Infant, home-based care: $16,342

• Toddler, center-based care: $23,690

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,426

• Preschool, center-based care: $21,149

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,426

4. Jefferson County

• Average child care tuition: $19,149

• Infant, center-based care: $25,265

• Infant, home-based care: $16,488

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,788

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,715

• Preschool, center-based care: $19,923

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,715

5. Grand County

• Average child care tuition: $18,288

• Infant, center-based care: $20,802

• Infant, home-based care: $18,849

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,173

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,426

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,053

• Preschool, home-based care: $16,426

6. Denver County

• Average child care tuition: $18,232

• Infant, center-based care: $26,163

• Infant, home-based care: $13,579

• Toddler, center-based care: $22,783

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,332

• Preschool, center-based care: $20,203

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,332

7. Broomfield County

• Average child care tuition: $18,106

• Infant, center-based care: $20,775

• Infant, home-based care: $18,928

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,868

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,481

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,104

• Preschool, home-based care: $16,481

8. Douglas County

• Average child care tuition: $17,967

• Infant, center-based care: $24,413

• Infant, home-based care: $15,852

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,591

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,566

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,816

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,566

9. Pitkin County

• Average child care tuition: $17,958

• Infant, center-based care: $16,582

• Infant, home-based care: $19,929

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,678

• Toddler, home-based care: $18,776

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,004

• Preschool, home-based care: $18,776

10. Routt County

• Average child care tuition: $17,433

• Infant, center-based care: $20,182

• Infant, home-based care: $14,523

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,298

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,613

• Preschool, center-based care: $19,371

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,613

11. Arapahoe County

• Average child care tuition: $17,433

• Infant, center-based care: $22,965

• Infant, home-based care: $15,628

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,807

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,565

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,069

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,565

12. Larimer County

• Average child care tuition: $17,210

• Infant, center-based care: $23,808

• Infant, home-based care: $14,121

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,363

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,144

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,683

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,144

13. Adams County

• Average child care tuition: $17,073

• Infant, center-based care: $23,878

• Infant, home-based care: $14,990

• Toddler, center-based care: $20,132

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,478

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,484

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,478

14. Ouray County

• Average child care tuition: $16,900

• Infant, center-based care: $22,230

• Infant, home-based care: $15,300

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,302

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,258

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,258

15. Park County

• Average child care tuition: $16,803

• Infant, center-based care: $23,494

• Infant, home-based care: $15,300

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,012

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,315

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,384

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,315

16. Eagle County

• Average child care tuition: $16,186

• Infant, center-based care: $20,239

• Infant, home-based care: $13,764

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,423

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,494

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,702

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,494

17. El Paso County

• Average child care tuition: $16,101

• Infant, center-based care: $21,325

• Infant, home-based care: $14,707

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,286

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,049

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,190

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,049

18. Garfield County

• Average child care tuition: $15,930

• Infant, center-based care: $18,094

• Infant, home-based care: $16,289

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,402

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,646

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,502

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,646

19. Weld County

• Average child care tuition: $15,869

• Infant, center-based care: $20,760

• Infant, home-based care: $14,914

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,856

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,177

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,329

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,177

20. Elbert County

• Average child care tuition: $15,333

• Infant, center-based care: $17,074

• Infant, home-based care: $15,557

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,190

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,975

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,228

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,975

21. Chaffee County

• Average child care tuition: $15,307

• Infant, center-based care: $17,230

• Infant, home-based care: $15,822

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,551

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,300

• Preschool, center-based care: $22,640

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,300

22. Gilpin County

• Average child care tuition: $14,992

• Infant, center-based care: $17,911

• Infant, home-based care: $14,121

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,715

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,144

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,921

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,144

22. San Juan County

• Average child care tuition: $14,992

• Infant, center-based care: $17,911

• Infant, home-based care: $14,121

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,715

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,144

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,921

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,144

24. La Plata County

• Average child care tuition: $14,110

• Infant, center-based care: $17,403

• Infant, home-based care: $14,285

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,403

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,837

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,895

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,837

25. Clear Creek County

• Average child care tuition: $13,903

• Infant, center-based care: $16,977

• Infant, home-based care: $14,285

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,850

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,837

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,633

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,837

26. Moffat County

• Average child care tuition: $13,807

• Infant, center-based care: $17,733

• Infant, home-based care: $11,379

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,736

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,379

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,234

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,379

27. Gunnison County

• Average child care tuition: $13,372

• Infant, center-based care: $17,349

• Infant, home-based care: $13,134

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,943

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,197

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,413

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,197

28. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $13,366

• Infant, center-based care: $11,337

• Infant, home-based care: $11,440

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,366

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,561

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,930

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,561

29. Archuleta County

• Average child care tuition: $13,103

• Infant, center-based care: $13,576

• Infant, home-based care: $13,610

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,688

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,610

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,526

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,610

30. Mineral County

• Average child care tuition: $12,445

• Infant, center-based care: $10,737

• Infant, home-based care: $8,276

• Toddler, center-based care: $20,026

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,276

• Preschool, center-based care: $19,077

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,276

31. Rio Blanco County

• Average child care tuition: $12,271

• Infant, center-based care: $11,318

• Infant, home-based care: $9,244

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,516

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,237

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,072

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,237

32. Lake County

• Average child care tuition: $12,258

• Infant, center-based care: $14,103

• Infant, home-based care: $12,761

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,216

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,166

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,137

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,166

33. Pueblo County

• Average child care tuition: $11,411

• Infant, center-based care: $15,670

• Infant, home-based care: $10,061

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,967

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,067

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,635

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,067

34. Mesa County

• Average child care tuition: $11,354

• Infant, center-based care: $13,546

• Infant, home-based care: $10,604

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,302

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,324

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,026

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,324

35. Teller County

• Average child care tuition: $11,334

• Infant, center-based care: $17,218

• Infant, home-based care: $8,577

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,864

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,577

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,192

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,577

36. Custer County

• Average child care tuition: $10,816

• Infant, center-based care: $13,576

• Infant, home-based care: $9,246

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,688

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,930

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,526

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,930

37. Cheyenne County

• Average child care tuition: $10,628

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $9,037

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,027

• Preschool, center-based care: $22,640

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,027

38. Dolores County

• Average child care tuition: $10,540

• Infant, center-based care: $13,345

• Infant, home-based care: $8,940

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,283

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,738

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,194

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,738

39. Rio Grande County

• Average child care tuition: $10,491

• Infant, center-based care: $10,889

• Infant, home-based care: $12,048

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,190

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,942

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,935

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,942

40. Montrose County

• Average child care tuition: $10,482

• Infant, center-based care: $14,452

• Infant, home-based care: $8,483

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,961

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,996

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,005

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,996

41. Fremont County

• Average child care tuition: $10,408

• Infant, center-based care: $10,105

• Infant, home-based care: $10,174

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,344

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,037

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,753

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,037

42. Montezuma County

• Average child care tuition: $10,018

• Infant, center-based care: $11,824

• Infant, home-based care: $8,940

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,289

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,738

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,580

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,738

43. Morgan County

• Average child care tuition: $9,985

• Infant, center-based care: $10,497

• Infant, home-based care: $8,215

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,205

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,044

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,908

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,044

44. Kit Carson County

• Average child care tuition: $9,910

• Infant, center-based care: $10,813

• Infant, home-based care: $11,048

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,968

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,917

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,798

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,917

45. Lincoln County

• Average child care tuition: $9,655

• Infant, center-based care: $10,213

• Infant, home-based care: $8,349

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,733

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,340

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,957

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,340

46. Yuma County

• Average child care tuition: $9,435

• Infant, center-based care: $9,837

• Infant, home-based care: $11,069

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,378

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,943

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,441

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,943

47. Costilla County

• Average child care tuition: $9,360

• Infant, center-based care: $11,142

• Infant, home-based care: $9,244

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,914

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,237

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,386

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,237

48. Saguache County

• Average child care tuition: $9,323

• Infant, center-based care: $11,385

• Infant, home-based care: $8,276

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,385

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,276

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,340

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,276

49. Crowley County

• Average child care tuition: $9,321

• Infant, center-based care: $11,100

• Infant, home-based care: $9,244

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,799

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,237

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,312

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,237

50. Huerfano County

• Average child care tuition: $9,268

• Infant, center-based care: $17,349

• Infant, home-based care: $8,940

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,256

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,738

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,589

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,738

51. Alamosa County

• Average child care tuition: $9,212

• Infant, center-based care: $10,448

• Infant, home-based care: $10,029

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,749

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,877

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,290

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,877

52. Logan County

• Average child care tuition: $9,010

• Infant, center-based care: $10,105

• Infant, home-based care: $8,276

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,563

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,276

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,563

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,276

53. Delta County

• Average child care tuition: $8,989

• Infant, center-based care: $9,279

• Infant, home-based care: $8,681

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,635

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,823

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,695

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,823

54. Phillips County

• Average child care tuition: $8,923

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $11,400

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,400

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,303

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,400

55. Prowers County

• Average child care tuition: $8,027

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $9,037

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,027

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,034

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,027

56. Conejos County

• Average child care tuition: $8,021

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $10,883

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,961

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,284

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,961

57. Kiowa County

• Average child care tuition: $7,994

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $9,037

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,027

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,837

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,027

58. Sedgwick County

• Average child care tuition: $7,792

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $9,037

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,027

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,625

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,027

59. Las Animas County

• Average child care tuition: $7,158

• Infant, center-based care: $6,735

• Infant, home-based care: $8,439

• Toddler, center-based care: $5,723

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,357

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,336

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,357

60. Otero County

• Average child care tuition: $6,246

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $5,559

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,457

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,964

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,457

61. Baca County

• Average child care tuition: $6,245

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $5,559

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,457

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,961

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,457

62. Bent County

• Average child care tuition: $6,031

• Infant, center-based care: $6,320

• Infant, home-based care: $5,336

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,717

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,336

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,142

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,336

Data and Methodology

The data above is adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the data from the National Database of Childcare Prices for 2024, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau). Data for Jackson and Hinsdale Counties was not available.