Colorado childcare cost
West region · NDCP 2015 data · median of 64 counties
In Colorado, median center-based infant care costs about $9,017 per year ($173/week) — about 13% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 13.8% of Colorado's median household income ($65,494), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (high burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $7,231/year. Figures are 2015 medians from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of June 2026.
Colorado childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2015:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $173 | $9,017 | 13.8% | $179 | $9,287 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $170 | $8,832 | 13.5% | $156 | $8,122 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $139 | $7,231 | 11.0% | $148 | $7,699 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $140 | $7,283 | 11.1% | $124 | $6,440 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2015). Data as of June 2026.
"Center" = licensed childcare center/daycare; "Family" = home-based family childcare. Annual = weekly median × 52 weeks. "% of income" compares annual center cost with Colorado's median household income of $65,494. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Colorado families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Colorado, a year of center-based infant care ($9,017) is equal to about 13.8% of the typical household's income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of household income — so Colorado sits well above the 7% benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($7,231/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Colorado compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Colorado:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado (this state) | $9,017 | 13.8% | $7,231 |
| Nevada | $9,112 | 16.3% | $8,642 |
| Virginia | $8,840 | 11.3% | $7,020 |
| Arizona | $9,230 | 16.2% | $7,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $9,230 | 15.1% | $7,930 |
| Illinois | $8,718 | 13.3% | $6,500 |
By annual infant-care cost, Colorado ranks #23 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Colorado?
In Colorado, the median price of center-based infant care is about $9,017 per year ($173 per week), based on 2015 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 13% above the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Colorado?
Median center-based infant care in Colorado costs about 13.8% of the state's median household income ($65,494). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Colorado is well above the 7% benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Colorado?
Family (home-based) childcare in Colorado is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $9,287 per year versus $9,017 for a center. Family care offers smaller groups in a provider's home; centers offer more structure and longer, more reliable hours.
What year is this Colorado childcare data from?
These are 2015 median prices — the latest year Colorado appears in the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). State survey cycles differ, so a few states' latest year is earlier than 2018. Prices have risen since; treat these as a baseline and confirm current rates locally.
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Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2015, public domain). The state figure is the median of 64 county values; "% of income" is derived from the state's median household income (American Community Survey, via the NDCP). The annualization (×52) and shares are documented on our methodology page. These are historical medians; childcare prices have risen since 2015. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20