Colorado § 26.5-6-103 - Pathways to the classroom and retention strategies for early childhood educators - standards - alignment across agencies - report - rules.

§ 26.5-6-103. Pathways to the classroom and retention strategies for early childhood educators - standards - alignment across agencies - report - rules.

(1) The executive director shall promulgate rules establishing standards for licensing that allow an early care and education program to be licensed pursuant to part 3 of article 5 of this title 26.5 for a period of time determined by the executive director, if a number, as specified in department rule, of aspiring early childhood educators in the program are pursuing a state-agency-approved early childhood credential and other quality, safety, and supervision conditions are met.

(2) The executive director shall promulgate rules that allow an early childhood educator to earn points toward an early childhood credential that meets child care licensing standards based on the candidate's prior experience and demonstrated competency. The licensing pathway must also include ways in which a candidate in a second career or changing careers can earn points or credits for prior experience and competencies that apply toward the qualifications for an early childhood educator credential. The standards and credential awarding process may use validated tools to award points for demonstrated competencies.

(3) The department and the department of education shall align, to the extent possible, the state's early childhood professional credential, department of education educator licensing, and child care program licensing to make the requirements as consistent and clear as possible to educators and providers. The alignment process must include examining strategies that support reciprocity for early childhood educator credentials or qualifications earned outside of Colorado.

(4) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), no later than January 31, 2022, and no later than January 31 each year thereafter, the department shall prepare a written report concerning Colorado's current supply of qualified early childhood educators.

(5) The department, the department of higher education, and the department of education shall develop resources to support local communities to increase concurrent enrollment opportunities for high school students or other nontraditional students to earn higher education credits and degrees that allow them to serve as early childhood educators and shall support career pathways for high school students earning college credits toward becoming early childhood educators, including concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, and other career pathways.

Source: L. 2022: Entire article added with relocations, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 774, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2025: (5) amended, (SB 25-315), ch. 237, p.1199, § 22, effective July 1, 2026.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 26-6-122 as it existed prior to 2022.