Parents
Preschool Enrollment
Interested in Preschool? This is what you need to know!
1) Students 3 years of age on or before August 15th* must call CFL for information.
2) Students 4 years of age on or before August 15th* must complete the Universal Preschool Program (UPP) process.
3) To start the process go to: https://upk.colorado.gov/
4) Contact the office at CFL 970-285-5702 and let us know that you have submitted your application to UPK.
5) Once the UPK process is complete and prior to enrollment at CFL, the following documents must be submitted to CFL: State issued Birth Certificate; Immunization Record; and Well Child Check / Health Appraisal.
6) CFL's Preschool Director and Assistant Principal, Nicole Hills, will contact you for next step with enrollment.
* See announcement and FAQs below
August 15th Entry Cutoff Date
Garfield 16 School District is adjusting the Kindergarten entry cutoff from October 1 to August 15th, starting in the 26-27 school year. Incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before August 15th.
To support families during this transition, preschool students who will turn 5 years old between August 16, 2026, and October 1, 2026, will be admitted into kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year. If you choose not to attend kindergarten, you will be responsible for paying for preschool tuition.
Families permitted early admittance to kindergarten in future years will be in accordance with board policy and applicable state laws.
FAQ’s to support families:
What does it mean for me?
Starting with the 2026–27 school year, Garfield 16 will change the kindergarten entry birthday cutoff date from October 1st to August 15th. This means that children must be 5 years old on or before August 15th to enroll in kindergarten. For most families, this is not a change. It currently affects families whose children will turn 5 years old between August 16, 2026 - October 1, 2026.
Why is this change being made?
Children who are 5 years old by the time they start kindergarten are better prepared for success in both academic and social aspects of formal schooling.
What about Universal Pre-K funding?
Universal Pre-K (UPK) aligns with the local district’s cutoff date. This means that starting in 2026-27, students who are 4 years old on or before Aug 15th will be eligible for 4-year-old UPK funding for one year immediately preceding Kindergarten. Families who have already used 4-year-old UPK funding will not be eligible for an additional year of UPK funding.
Can my child enter Kindergarten when they are 4 years old?
Only students whose guardian(s) complete the Early Access process for highly gifted children may be considered for kindergarten admission as a 4-year-old due to state funding requirements.
My child will turn 5 years old between Aug 16th and Oct 1. Now that the cutoff date is Aug 15th, what does that mean for my child?
Preschool students who turn five between August 16, 2026, and October 1, 2026, may still request to start Kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year. Families permitted early admittance to kindergarten in future years will be in accordance with state law and board policy.
I have more questions. Who do I go to?
Please call CFL’s front office at 970-285-5702