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How the guarantee works →Colorado camp licensing requirements.
Who licenses day camps and overnight camps in Colorado, under which rules, and who is exempt. Last checked November 2, 2026.
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Day camps and overnight camps in Colorado
| Camp type | What the state asks | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Day camps | State license | Day camps are licensed by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood as school-age child care centers.Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | State license | Children's resident camps running three or more consecutive 24-hour days for five or more children need a Department of Early Childhood license.Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
Who oversees camps in Colorado
| Agency | What it does |
|---|---|
| Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Division of Early Learning, Licensing, and Administration | Licenses non-home child care facilities, including resident camps and school-age child care centers.Source: Child Care Licensing and Administration | Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Checked November 2, 2026. |
Staff-to-camper ratios in Colorado
One staff member to the number of campers shown, as the rule sets it.
| Applies to | Group | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight camps | Resident camp campers 5 through 7 years old | 1:6Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | Resident camp campers 8 through 10 years old | 1:8Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | Resident camp campers 11 through 13 years old | 1:10Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Overnight camps | Resident camp campers 14 years and older | 1:12Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day camps | Day camps and other school-age child care centers | 1:15Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day camps | Seasonal outdoor adventure day camp, campers 5 and 6 years old | 1:7Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day camps | Seasonal outdoor adventure day camp, campers 7 and older | 1:10Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day and overnight camps | Swimming activities (staff to children) | 1:10Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
| Day and overnight camps | Swimming: certified lifeguards per children in the water | 1:30Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. |
Exemptions
- A special school or class operated for a single skill-building purpose does not need a license.Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026.
- Multi-sport, multi-subject academic, farm, and outdoor or nature camps are not single skill-building programs and need a child care license.Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026.
- Religious instruction classes do not need a license unless combined with child care or organized activities as part of the daily routine.Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026.
- Facilities approved, certified or licensed by another state agency or a federal agency that sets standards and inspects them do not need this license.Source: Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and Regulations, Colorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026.
Official rules
- 8 CCR 1402-1, rule section 2.400
Rules Regulating Children’s Resident CampsColorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. - 8 CCR 1402-1, rule section 2.500
Rules Regulating School-Age Child Care CentersColorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. - 8 CCR 1402-1, rule section 2.600
Rules Regulating Special ActivitiesColorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026. - 8 CCR 1402-1, rule section 2.112
Licensing ExemptionsColorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026.
Sources
Every source is an official government page.
- Code of Colorado Regulations 8 CCR 1402-1, Child Care Facility Licensing Rules and RegulationsColorado Secretary of State (rules of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood). Checked November 2, 2026.
- Child Care Licensing and Administration | Colorado Department of Early ChildhoodColorado Department of Early Childhood. Checked November 2, 2026.
About this page
We read each source above on an official government site on November 2, 2026. Each fact links to the page it came from.
Rules change, and local rules can add to them. Confirm with the agency before you open or change a program.
This page is a summary of public rules. It is not legal advice, and Bloomily does not file license applications.
Camp licensing in other states
- Alabama
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Arizona
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Arkansas
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- California
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state camp rules.
- Connecticut
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Delaware
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Florida
Day camps: no state license. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Georgia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Idaho
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Illinois
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Indiana
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state camp rules.
- Kentucky
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Louisiana
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Maine
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Maryland
Day camps: state certificate. Overnight camps: state certificate.
- Massachusetts
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Michigan
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Mississippi
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Missouri
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Montana
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Nebraska
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: no state license.
- Nevada
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- New Hampshire
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- New Jersey
Day camps: state certificate. Overnight camps: state certificate.
- New York
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- North Dakota
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Ohio
Day camps: state registration. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Oregon
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- South Carolina
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- South Dakota
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: depends on the program.
- Tennessee
Day camps: state permit. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Texas
Day camps: state license. Overnight camps: state license.
- Vermont
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
- Virginia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Washington
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state registration.
- West Virginia
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state permit.
- Wisconsin
Day camps: depends on the program. Overnight camps: state license.
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