Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC)

Face of Early Childhood Education
Dr. Lisa Roy

Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), is a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education. Appointed by Governor Jared Polis in 2022, she spearheaded the launch of Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program, offering families up to 15 hours of state-funded preschool weekly, with additional support for qualifying families. With over 30 years of leadership experience, including roles at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and Denver Public Schools, Dr. Roy holds a Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Equity and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver. Her numerous honors include the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2024 Alumni Leadership Award from the University of Colorado Denver and the 2022 Harmon Award for Early Childhood Mental Health.

How is the CDEC involved in our community? 
The CDEC champions equitable access to quality early childhood programs, family support services, and community engagement initiatives by:

-Expanding access to quality child care, early intervention, and mental health services.

-Strengthening families with resources that promote healthy child development.

-Driving decisions through data and community feedback, creating responsive policies.

What is most special about Colorado to CDEC?
Colorado has consistently prioritized early childhood education and support. The creation of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood unified our early childhood ecosystem, bringing together many prevention services and programs under one roof while ensuring policies are family-friendly. This comprehensive approach sends a clear message: what is best for families with young children is what is best for everyone. The implementation of full-day kindergarten, championed as a priority by the Governor, laid a strong foundation for the creation of CDEC. Today, we continue to build on that legacy with initiatives like Universal Preschool and family and community-strengthening programs. By meeting families where they are and prioritizing family choice, we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to EVERY child.

What services do you offer?
Raising Colorado Kids, Universal Preschool, Workforce Development, and CDEC and Tribal Communities. For more information, visit cdec.colorado.gov.