This set of quality standards for Colorado's early child care and education programs, developed over a 4-year period, is intended to help these programs move toward quality services for all young children. Programs using the standards and checklists will provide feedback to the Colorado Department of Education, and the standards will be updated accordingly. The standards document includes self-evaluation checklists designed to help programs document the state standards they have achieved, the standards they are seeking to meet, and the resources needed to meet the standards in the following areas: (1) interaction among staff and children; (2) curriculum; (3) family-staff partnership (4) staff qualifications and development; (5) administration; (6) staffing patterns; (7) the role and function of the teaching team; (8) physical environment; (9) health and safety; (10) nutrition and food service; and (11) evaluation. The goals and rationale are outlined for each of the 11 areas. Appendices contain Colorado's Comprehensive Training Plan for Early Childhood Care and Education, Professional Standards Development, Early Childhood Career Lattice, Resources, and Definitions. (KDFB)