Colorado's Subsidized Childcare Waitlist Hit 14,000 Kids — Here's What COS Families Should Do

In 2023, just four children across the entire state of Colorado were waiting for assistance from the state's subsidized childcare program. In September 2026, that number has surpassed 14,000. If you're a Colorado Springs parent who has tried to access the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program — and hit a wall — you're not imagining things, and you're far from alone.

El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, moved its CCCAP enrollment to a waitlist model in April 2026. Families that would previously have been enrolled directly are now placed on a growing list and told to wait for funding to catch up with demand. The program has not disappeared — but getting in has become significantly harder for thousands of Colorado families.

How the Waitlist Exploded

The rapid growth in the CCCAP waitlist is tied to the end of COVID-era federal stimulus funding. During and after the pandemic, federal dollars helped Colorado's counties significantly expand childcare assistance. As families' needs grew, the program expanded to meet them. Then the federal funding started winding down.

At the same time, the cost of providing childcare subsidies has increased — partly because federal regulations require providers to be paid at higher rates. Colorado's counties, which have limited discretion over their budgets, have had to pull back on enrollment to avoid running out of money. Twenty-eight of Colorado's 64 counties now have either enrollment freezes or waitlists. A bill that would have directed approximately $105 million to restore the program was introduced in the Colorado legislature in early 2026 but did not pass.

Quick Reference: CCCAP for COS Families

What COS Families Can Do Right Now

The waitlist is not closed — it's accepting names. If your family might qualify for CCCAP assistance, adding your name to the El Paso County waitlist now means you'll be further up in line when funding becomes available. Contact El Paso County Human Services to ask about the waitlist process and to provide your information.

In the meantime, several other childcare resources exist in Colorado Springs for families who need help now. Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve income-eligible families with young children and do not depend on CCCAP funding. Some employers in the region also offer childcare benefits or flexible spending accounts that can offset costs. The Pikes Peak Library District's early literacy programs and community drop-in spaces are free resources that can help during gaps in formal childcare arrangements.

If you want to push for a policy fix, contacting your El Paso County commissioners or state representatives about CCCAP funding is a tangible way to add your voice to the calls for restoration. Colorado advocacy organizations like the Bell Policy Center track this issue closely and publish updates on legislative progress.

What's Next

Colorado's CCCAP funding situation is unlikely to resolve quickly without legislative action. The state legislature's 2026 session ended without passing a restoration bill, making the 2027 session the next opportunity for significant change. For COS families in need of childcare assistance, the near-term path is the waitlist and whatever alternative resources are available locally.

COS Parenting will continue to track CCCAP developments in El Paso County and any changes to the state program as they happen. For now, if you need help, start with a call to El Paso County Human Services — getting your name on the list is the most important first step.