The Department of Early Childhood, Division of Early Learning Access and Quality is focused on solutions and strategies designed to improve school readiness for all children across Colorado with a targeted focus on children with high needs. In order to support the achievement of these priorities, Colorado launched the Colorado Shines Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) in February, 2015 and a recent update in 2022. Colorado Shines is a five-level system that assesses the quality of licensed child care programs serving children prior to kindergarten entry. Colorado Shines is embedded in the regulatory system for child care licensing. All licensed child care programs are required to participate at Level 1. Colorado Shines provides a structure for rating all licensed early childhood programs serving children prior to kindergarten entry using a common set of research-based standards, known as the point structure guide.
There are two ways in which a program can obtain a Colorado Shines rating: a full rating review or through an alternative pathway to a rating. Ratings for Levels 2-5 in Colorado Shines are completed on an ongoing basis and are valid for three years, and programs are given a 30-day window for consultation and appeals.
The full Colorado Shines rating process involves a mix of activities, such as document review, self-reported information, and on-site observation.
