The rollout of universal preschool in Colorado for 38,000 kids has understandably been rocky. But the great success of the program – providing funding for 15 hours of preschool for thousands of 4-year-olds and getting kids kindergarten-ready – is at risk of being overshadowed by the flaws in the new system. Leaders with the state’s new Department of Early Childhood Education must act swiftly to make sure kids aren’t falling through the cracks and that enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is more equitable. In 2020 voters approved increased tobacco and nicotine taxes to finally fund 10 hours of preschool in this state for every child a year before they attend kindergarten.