Quality Child Care Without the high cost

Join the 28,000 other Colorado families who lowered their child care costs with CCCAP

Quality child care helps set up young children for lifelong success. But paying for quality child care is a challenge for many Colorado families. The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) helps families afford quality child care. CCCAP significantly reduces the amount families have to pay for their child’s care. CCCAP supports parents who are working, looking for work, or attending school.

*In addition to CCCAP, families may be eligible for other programs like Universal Preschool Colorado or Head Start.

Do you qualify for help paying for child care?

You may qualify for assistance through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). Many Colorado families may be eligible for CCCAP but don’t know it.

Find your county in the drop-down list and see if your family qualifies for help paying for quality child care.

Check Your Eligibility

Preparing to Apply

When you apply for CCCAP, you can submit the application online via Colorado PEAK, or you can submit your application directly to the county where you live by mail, email, or in person.

Find contact information for every CCCAP office in Colorado on the 2-1-1 Colorado website.

Find your county CCCAP Office

Applying for CCCAP

CCCAP requires an application and supporting verifications, which are listed in the CCCAP Application Checklist. You can apply online via Colorado PEAK or submit your application by email, mail or in person to the county where you live.

Apply online through Colorado PEAK

Colorado PEAK allows you to apply for early childhood benefits like CCCAP, as well as other benefits like food assistance and medical.

You can submit your CCCAP application online via Colorado PEAK. You will need to provide copies of the required supporting verification to the county where you are applying.

Get started with PEAK

Submit the application to your county

If you prefer, you can download and complete the CCCAP application and submit it directly to your county. The application and required verifications can be delivered to your county CCCAP office in person, via mail, or sometimes via email.

The CCCAP application is a fillable PDF document that you can download and save. You can also print the application and complete it by hand.

CCCAP Application

Do you Participate in Colorado Works?

If you are part of the Colorado Works program, you may also qualify for CCCAP – and you don’t even have to apply! Ask your case manager for more information.

Collect the Required Verification

The CCCAP Application Checklist will help you collect the required verification before you start your application. If you need help with the application, you may be able to get support from your local Early Childhood Council. Find contact information for your local Council here.

CCCAP Application Checklist

Submit Your Application

When you are ready to submit your application, you can submit your application online via Colorado PEAK, or by mail, email, or in person to your County CCCAP office.

Wait for the Response

It may take up to two weeks to process your application. Submitting a complete application with all the required verification is the best way to speed up the review process!

Watch your mail for updates

It may take up to two weeks to process your application. Submitting a complete application with all the required verification is the best way to speed up the review process!

Submit Missing Information

Applications for CCCAP are often missing required verification that is necessary to determine if your family qualifies. If your application is incomplete, you will receive a letter or an email with a list of the missing verification and a due date for the required information.

Understanding Parent Fees

If your family is eligible for CCCAP and has income, you may be required to pay a portion of the cost of your child’s care to your provider each month.

The Parent Fee is based on your gross income, the size of your household, the number of children in care, and other factors.

Click below to calculate your estimated Parent Fees.

Calculate Parent Fees

Find a CCCAP Child Care Provider

To find a licensed child care provider that participates in CCCAP, you can search online or call the Colorado Shines Child Care Resource and Referral line at 877.338.2273.

CCCAP Qualified Exempt Providers

Families participating in CCCAP can also select an approved family member, friend or neighbor who does not have a child care license as their child care provider. These individuals are called CCCAP Qualified Exempt child care providers.

Providers that successfully complete the process to become CCCAP Qualified Exempt can receive daily reimbursement for the care they provide.

Families should contact their County CCCAP office for more information.