Home daycare allowed in all Denver residential zones as a home occupation per Denver Zoning Code §11.8.7. State license required from Colorado Dept of Early Childhood. Small: up to 6 children; large: up to 12.
Denver Zoning Code §11.8.7 permits family child care homes as a home occupation in all residential zone districts. The state license is issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) — formerly CDHS Division of Early Care and Learning. Small family child care homes are limited to 6 children maximum including the provider's own children under 6 (with specific age-mix rules). Large family child care homes may serve up to 12 children but require a qualified assistant and additional licensing. Requirements include: provider background check and fingerprinting, CPR and first aid certification, medication administration training, TB test, minimum 35 sq ft indoor space per child, outdoor play area, fire safety inspection, smoke/CO detectors, locked medication/chemical storage, and liability insurance (minimum $300,000). Denver business license required. Zoning: no outside employees except one assistant for large home daycares; drop-off traffic cannot unduly disrupt neighborhood.
Operating without state license: closure, fines up to $5,000, criminal charges. Capacity exceeded: license suspension. Safety violations: immediate correction, possible revocation.
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