Colorado offers no-cost business support for child care

DENVER — Colorado officials have introduced a new effort to help child care providers strengthen their operations through no-cost advising, training and business resources.

The Colorado Small Business Development Center, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood announced the initiative this week. The program aims to support child care providers at all stages of business.

“Childcare is essential to strengthening our workforce and economy while supporting families. This new initiative is giving providers more of the support they need while expanding opportunities for Colorado families,” Governor Jared Polis said. “I look forward to seeing the impact of this work in our communities.”

OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman said the program will help providers navigate the business side of running a child care operation.

“Access to childcare is critical for working parents and an essential part of a thriving economy,” Lieberman said. “By providing childcare providers with no-cost training and advising, we can help them take steps to start and grow their businesses while ensuring more families have access to quality childcare.”

The Essential Business Skills for Child Care Administrators program combines a curriculum tailored to early childhood businesses with confidential one-on-one advising and low- to no-cost training options. The program is open to current child care administrators, home-based providers, and individuals planning to enter the industry. On-demand training is available now, with in-person and hybrid sessions beginning in January 2026.

Rebecca Vlasin, director of DECW, said the training offers practical knowledge to help educators operate sustainable child care programs with minimal time commitments and no cost to participants.

The initiative follows the Colorado Shines Brighter Needs Assessment, which identified gaps in business support and licensing knowledge among providers. Participating SBDC centers will offer access to four on-demand training modules covering business fundamentals, financial management, and marketing, along with four confidential advising sessions. Providers will also have access to additional tools and resources at little or no cost.

“As we wrap up National Entrepreneurship Month, the Colorado SBDC is excited to continue our partnership with CDEC,” Colorado SBDC Director Hannah Krieger said. “Together, we are strengthening our economy by providing vital support to child care businesses and ensuring a brighter future for all Coloradans.”

More information about the program and registration details is available on the Colorado SBDC Child Care webpage.