Passage of H.R.1 (The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) changed SNAP and Medicaid eligibility for some customers. Additionally, some federal benefits programs (CCAP & TANF) are involved in court litigation over a potential funding freeze. View all changes to federal benefits programs:
Federal Changes to Benefits Programs
The Denver Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides financial assistance for childcare benefits. CCAP is open to eligible, low-income families with children from birth to age 13.
Denver County’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is on an enrollment FREEZE for all new applicants. This freeze is being enacted as a result of increased program expenses that exceed available funding for the program.
What does this mean?
All current customers will retain their CCAP benefits through the freeze. No customers will lose their benefits as a result of the freeze; however, they must submit their redetermination packets by their due date in order to ensure continued benefits. If they do not turn in their redetermination packets on time, they could lose their childcare benefits.
Process for New Applicants: Pre-screening Questionnaire
Any new applicants may fill out a pre-screen eligibility questionnaire to be added to the freeze list. Should the freeze be lifted, customers will be notified to apply by DHS CCAP staff based on department rules, which will be published on our website.
Fill out the form in a new window
Click here to view form.
There are many Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) providers across Denver. The Colorado Shines Child Care Referrals team at Mile High United Way can help you find a provider that accepts Denver CCAP, meets your needs, and has openings. To contact them, call 2-1-1 or email childcarereferrals@unitedwaydenver.org
Preschool and Other Programs
There are a few organizations that can help you locate and pay for preschool for your child:
Existing Child Care Assistance Program Clients: Do not use Colorado PEAK for any changes or updates. Instead, please send all changes (including verifications and redeterminations) to: denverccap@denvergov.org
Verifications
You can submit any verifications to us directly by emailing denverccap@denvergov.org.
Changes
If you need to submit a change form:
- Download the Denver CCAP Change Form(PDF, 149KB).
- Email the completed form to us:
denverccap@denvergov.org
Hardship Requests
CCAP Hardship Request Form
To request reduced child care assistance fees:
- Download and fill out the CCAP Hardship Request Form(PDF, 146KB).
- Then, submit it to your child care assistance caseworker by emailing denverccap@denvergov.org.
Redetermination of Eligibility
When you are going through redetermination, you will need to meet certain income guidelines - just like when you first applied. Review the income guidelines in the box below.
Income Guidelines
It’s important to check if you meet the income requirements to qualify for Denver CCAP. You will need:
- The number of people who live in your household (including yourself). This is your household size.
- Your household’s monthly income before taxes are taken out.
Then, follow these steps - which are relevant for redetermination:
- Starting with the first column in the table below, find the row with the number that matches your household size.
- Staying in that same row, follow the chart to the third (far right) column and look at the dollar amount.
- Compare the number on the chart to your monthly income. Remember, this is the amount *before* taxes are taken out.
If you are under the listed amount in the table, you may meet income requirements for Denver CCAP redetermination of eligibility. Our staff will verify this with you as part of the application process.
The 2025/2026 Denver CCAP income requirements (effective October 1, 2025) are as follows:
| Household Size |
Gross Income Limit at Application
(225% of the Federal Poverty Level, or FPL) |
Gross Income Limit During Recertification Period
(85% of the State Median Income, or SMI) |
| 2 |
$3,965.63 |
$6,683.61 |
| 3 |
$4,996.88 |
$8,256.22 |
| 4 |
$6,028.13 |
$9,828.83 |
| 5 |
$7,059.38 |
$11,401.45 |
| 6 |
$8,090.63 |
$12,974.06 |
| 7 |
$9,121.88 |
$13,268.93 |
| 8 |
$10,153.13 |
$13,563.79 |
| 9 |
$11,184.38 |
$13,858.66 |
Download the Redetermination Form
To submit a CCAP redetermination form, start by downloading the form using the links below:
Child Care Assistance Redetermination Form - English(PDF, 2MB)
Child Care Assistance Redetermination Form - Spanish(PDF, 2MB)
Then, submit your completed form to us by emailing denverccap@denvergov.org.
Processing Timelines
Please plan ahead:
- It takes 15 days (from the received date) to process applications and redeterminations.
- Due to high volume, it may take us between 30-60 days to process your applications and redeterminations.
- It takes 10 days (from the received date) for changes and verifications.
- Due to high volume, it may take us between 30-60 days to process your changes and verifications.
- It takes 5 days (from the received date) to process TANF referrals from your case manager.
You will be notified via email and/or phone when your information has been processed and a determination is made.
Attendance Tracking System (ATS) - Tips and Common Questions
Attendance Tracking System (ATS) Tips
Here are some quick tips for using the Attendance Tracking System (ATS):
- Check-in and check-out every day your child receives care.
- Confirm your check-in and check-out times every time you pick up your child. You can do this by accessing the Confirmations screen from the parent kiosk.
- iPad users: make sure you only click on the exclamation point (!), not the time. If you click on the time, the screen will not load correctly, and you will not see a "confirm" button.
- Use the Alerts screen to identify any transactions missing a check-in or check-out time, or to identify transactions that require your approval. Review the oldest records first to make sure your child care is approved within the required 9-day timeline.
- If you did not receive an email, or it has been over 24 hours, you can follow these instructions to reset your PIN:
- Select “Forgot PIN?” from the provider’s device at the provider’s location in Kiosk View.
- A new email will be sent to you to set up your PIN but will only be valid for 24 hours.
- Make sure you are checking your spam folder for these emails.
Still need help? Watch ATS training videos, guides and updates:
Colorado Department of Early Childhood's ATS Training Video Playlist
If you still need help, email the ATS Help Desk:
cdec_ats_helpdesk@state.co.us
How do I reset my PIN?
On the parent kiosk at your provider, click on the forgot PIN link and enter your email address associated with your Denver CCAP case. You will receive an email to reset, and you will need to enter a new PIN.
I am trying to choose a PIN, and I keep getting an error message. Why?
The PIN you are trying to select may already be in use. Try selecting a different PIN. If that does not work, please contact the ATS help desk:
cdec_ats_helpdesk@state.co.us
What if the email address I used to set up my ATS account has expired?
On the parent kiosk at your provider, click on the forgot PIN link. Enter the email address associated with your CCAP case. You will receive an email to reset your PIN, and you will need to enter a new PIN.
This email link is only good for 24 hours, so you will need to do this as soon as possible.
What if I didn’t get an email to set up my ATS account?
In your email account, check both your "Junk" and "Spam" folders. If you still can't find the email, reach out to your Denver CCAP Case Manager. They will check to see if they have the right email address.
How do I check my child in?
Click on your child’s picture. Then, click the check in box. On the side of the picture, you will see that your child is checked in.
How do I do a previous check in or check out?
Only your provider can do that. Talk with your provider so they can create a transaction, and you can confirm it.
How can someone else check my child in and out?
- Click on the household icon.
- Then, click the delegate tab.
- Click the plus sign.
- Enter their email address.
My provider doesn’t have a device or internet. What do I do?
Make sure that you are signing your child in and out at the provider.
Parent Fees
Parent Fee Information
If your family has income and you're eligible for Denver CCAP, you may have to pay a portion of childcare costs to your childcare provider each month. The amount you have to pay is based on your gross income, the number of people in your household, and the number of children in care.
You should pay this fee directly to your childcare provider at the beginning of each month. It is the first payment the provider will receive for providing care for your children. If you do not pay the parent fee, childcare benefits may end. You may be unable to receive benefits in the future. Your parent fees must be paid even if you change childcare providers.
The parent fee covers the amount of care agreed upon between you and Denver CCAP. The amount is shown on your Authorization Eligibility Notice.
Providers cannot charge you more than the county's rate for your authorized childcare. However, providers can charge you for any hours used beyond your approved hours and late fees if you pick up your child after hours.