Gov. Jared Polis’s budget proposes using $10 million from the Building Excellent Schools Today, or BEST, grant program to meet the facilities needs of preschools.

The Colorado Sun reports that 27,530 children statewide are enrolled through the free Colorado Preschool Program for at-risk kids, although 76,000 ages three or four are eligible.

In many areas of the state, the problem is one of capacity. In 68 school districts, fewer than half of the eligible students can get a spot.

BEST has awarded over $2.5 billion since 2008. Its guidelines limit participation to a “School District; A District Charter School; An Institute Charter School; A Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES); [and] The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind.”

In his first year as governor, the General Assembly appropriated $185 million for Polis’s full-day kindergarten initiative.

“The funding will help to construct, expand and renovate early childhood education facilities to serve more children,” the budgetary statement in support of the $10 million BEST funding read.

As of fall 2019, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma are the only states that offer universal preschool educations to all 4-year-olds. Nationwide, the federal government covers 55% of preschool costs, with states picking up one-third, and localities filling in the remaining 13%.