Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home daycare in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.

Updated 2026-03-13 6 stops $300–$800 est. 3–6 months (CDEC licensing process dominates timeline)
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Colorado

3 stops

  1. Colorado Dept of Early Childhood Family Child Care Home License

    Required for family child care homes serving 3 or more children (including the provider's own) in Colorado. Issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). The process includes a home safety inspection, background checks for all household members (18+), first aid/CPR training, and a pre-licensing inspection. The process is thorough and takes several months.

    Official government source

    $0 (state fee waived) + background check costs ($75–$150/person)3–6 months

  2. Colorado Background Check (CDEC)

    All adults residing in or regularly present in the home must pass an FBI fingerprint and Colorado criminal history background check through the CDEC background check unit.

    Official government source

    $75–$150 per person2–8 weeks

  3. First Aid and CPR Certification

    Colorado requires all family child care home providers to hold current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certifications before receiving a license from CDEC.

    Official government source

    $50–$1001–2 days (course completion)

City of Denver / Denver County

2 stops

  1. Denver Business License

    Required for home-based businesses in Denver, including licensed family child care homes. Issued by the Denver Department of Excise & Licenses.

    Official government source

    $25–$50/year1–2 weeks

  2. Denver Zoning Certificate / Home Occupation

    Operating a home daycare in Denver requires verification that the property's zoning allows for the use. Contact Denver Community Planning and Development to confirm your zone and obtain any required home occupation approval.

    Official government source

    $50–$1501–3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$800 · 3–6 months (CDEC licensing process dominates timeline)

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Official Sources

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