DENVER ~ In a groundbreaking announcement, Governor Polis and the Department of Early Childhood revealed that Colorado families have saved a total of $239 million in the first year of the state's Universal Preschool Program (UPK). This program, which provides free high-quality early education for children in their year before kindergarten, has proven to be a significant financial relief for families across the state.

According to Governor Polis, "Thanks to free preschool, families across Colorado are giving their children the very best start, while saving an average of more than $6,100 every year." These savings can be used for other important expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, college savings, or retirement funds. The success of this program is evident in the historic savings of $239 million for families in Colorado.

In its first year, UPK served over 43,000 children through more than 1,900 providers. This resulted in an average family savings of $6,100 and a statewide total savings of over $239 million. These impressive numbers have also led to Colorado jumping from 26th to 8th in the country for enrollment. As the second year begins, there are already over 41,000 children registered and applying for UPK - almost 1,000 more than at this time last year. Additionally, there are now over 2,000 registered providers across the state.

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The success and popularity of UPK can also be seen in Governor Polis' recent signing of bills to expand the program with additional tax credits and resources for childcare workers. This further demonstrates his commitment to providing affordable and high-quality early education for all families in Colorado.

As Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), Governor Polis has also launched an educational initiative called "Lets Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success." This initiative aims to prepare students for greater success and drive economic growth across the country. Early childhood education is a crucial component of this initiative, as it sets the foundation for future academic and career success.

To learn more about Colorado's Universal Preschool Program, visit upk.colorado.gov. With the second year of UPK underway and even stronger numbers expected, it is clear that this program is not only saving families money but also setting Colorado's youngest learners on the path to a successful future.

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