Colorado daycare ratios by age
Colorado's child care center rule (8 CCR 1402-1, §2.217(A)) sets the staff-to-child ratios below: one adult for every 10 three-year-olds, in groups of no more than 20. Read on 2026-10-31; your licensing consultant has the last word.
Colorado child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 5 | 10 |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 1 to 5 | 10 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 7 | 14 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 12 | 24 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 15 | 30 |
How many adults does my room need in Colorado?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Infants 6 wk-18 mo 1:5 group 10; toddlers 12-36 mo 1:5 group 10; toddlers 24-36 mo 1:7 group 14; 2 1/2-3 yr 1:8 group 16; 3-4 yr 1:10 group 20; 4-5 yr 1:12 group 24; 5 yr and older 1:15 group 30; mixed 2 1/2-6 yr 1:10 group 20. (mapped: twos = 24-36 mo toddler row)
Rule: 8 CCR 1402-1, §2.217(A). Read on 2026-10-31 at law.cornell.edu. Where the rule's ages split one of ours, the younger, stricter figure is shown. This is the rule for licensed centers; family child care homes, school-age care and mixed-age groups have their own rules. A reading of public regulations, not licensing advice.
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