Market intelligence · Denver, CO

Denver childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.

Q: Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. Little Scholars runs confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared.

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Denver market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

Get an Instant Valuation Sell your center Confidential · No obligation

164,434

Children under 5 in the Denver metro (2023)

+4.5%

Population change, 2018–2023

$102,339

Median household income — above the U.S. national median

−7.0%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Denver–Aurora–Centennial, CO Metro Area.

What this means for owners

Colorado's premium market runs 90% full.

Metro Denver's median household income crossed $102,339 as the metro grew 4.5% — while the under-5 count fell 7.0%, the classic high-cost-metro pattern.

The three surveyed schools run a 90% median occupancy with infant rates up to $2,143 a month. Colorado comps are deep — 30 sales around a 7.0% median cap at $406 per square foot, among the richest per-square-foot pricing we track.

2025 tuition rates · Denver market

Real rates from Denver-market schools.

Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in this market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.

$2,133

Median infant rate / mo · Denver market

$1,710

Median preschool rate / mo · Denver market

90%

Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting

Brand	Location	Infant / mo	Pre-K / mo	Licensed capacity
KinderCare	Golden (N Rubey Dr)	$2,143	$1,710	144
Kiddie Academy	Lone Tree (Park Meadows Dr)	$2,122	$1,580	187
Kiddie Academy	Littleton (W Ken Caryl Ave)	—	$1,799	106

Disclosure: these rates and enrollment figures were manually received by our team, directly from each school, during our 2025 survey. Only schools that shared rates are shown; figures may have changed since. Medians are computed across the schools shown; median occupancy uses only schools that reported exact enrollment. Licensed capacity per state licensing records. Source: Little Scholars 2025 brand rate survey.

Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Colorado.

Across our sold-comps database, Colorado childcare properties have typically traded at 6.7–7.4% cap rates, at a median of $406 per square foot, across 30 sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

Estimate your center's value Explore all comps

Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 30 Colorado childcare sales (18 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

6.7–7.4%

Typical cap-rate range, CO sales

7.0%

Median sold cap rate, CO

$406

Median price per SF, CO

CO childcare sales in our dataset

Brand (national)	Median sold cap	Median $/SF
KinderCare	6.67%	$381
La Petite Academy	6.89%	$207
Kiddie Academy	6.46%	$378
Tutor Time	8.47%	$372
Childtime	6.20%	$262

Market activity

8 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Colorado.

Source: on-market childcare listings on Crexi as of July 20, 2026, reviewed by our team for childcare relevance. Availability changes daily; contact us for current opportunities.

What's your Denver center worth?

An instant, confidential valuation of your business and your property — built on the same data behind this page.

Get my free valuation

Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

30⁺

Years in the industry

70⁺

Centers sold

18⁺

States nationwide

2,800⁺

Investors in our network

Meet Alan Stahl and the team →

FAQ

Questions from Denver owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Denver?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Denver market, actual rates ran roughly $2,122–$2,143/mo for infants and $1,580–$1,799/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $2,133 and $1,710. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Colorado?

In our sold-comps dataset of 30 Colorado childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.0%, typically ranging 6.7–7.4%, at a median of $406 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Denver daycare business worth?

Childcare businesses are usually valued on a multiple of SDE or EBITDA, and the real estate on its income and comparable sales. Our instant valuation tool estimates both — free and confidential.

Who buys childcare centers in the Front Range?

Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets across 18+ states.

Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. We run confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared. Here's how our process works.

Keep exploring

Market page

View all markets →