No. Authorization is completely separate from YMCA registration. Third-party childcare assistance recipients should contact the business office to register for preschool, K-5th and/or day camp programs. CCAP, DFS and STRIDE participants may not register online. All families must also complete all required forms prior to attending YMCA programs.

If the school day off camp or summer day camp takes place at a location different than your primary before- or after-school program, you must request authorization for that site at least two weeks prior. Please refer to the list of provider numbers on this page. On average, families have 2-3 different authorizations per year due to program location changes.

No. If you are hoping to receive a scholarship for membership or other YMCA activities, you will still need to apply for financial assistance. Please include your authorization letter as one of your supporting documents. However, many families in our childcare programs are eligible for a free family membership, which includes discounts for many Y programs.

If care is needed immediately, the Y can provide a scholarship to families for up to one month as long as you can provide proof that you have applied to third-party childcare assistance and are awaiting approval when you send in your YMCA financial assistance application.

We have an unpublished income scale as a base for determination. However, attaining YMCA financial assistance is based on a variety of variables such as income, family needs, individual and emergency situations, availability of funds and cost of programs.

Criteria may vary based on the cost to implement each program. Programs offered at the YMCA by outside organizations are not covered by financial assistance. You will find the full fees of each program on our website. It is important for you to know the full fee of the membership/program you are requesting as this information is required on the application.

Financial assistance applications are held in complete confidence and are seen only by YMCA staff. Financial assistance recipients receive the same quality of service as those who are not on financial assistance. We want to impact as many community members as possible; therefore, the number of programs allocated to each applicant may be limited depending on the availability of funds.

Assistance is generally granted for specific programs and/or a specific time period. It is important that you re-apply for financial assistance one month prior to expiration to avoid the auto renew at full price. If you are unsure of your expiration date, please contact the Business Office.

You will get the quickest response if you apply for financial assistance online. If that is not possible, you may drop your application off at the Boulder, Johnstown, Lafayette, Longmont, Loveland and Cheyenne facilities. If you are applying for an after-school or summer day camp program at your school, applying online is encouraged. You may turn in your information to the director at your site.

We understand that this is a challenging time for you and your family. When you get through this tough time, our hope is that you will give back to the YMCA through volunteering your time or donating to the Y, so we can continue to support others who may be going through a difficult time. Most of the community members who donate to our financial assistance funds do so because they have had an impactful experience with the YMCA and many have benefited from our financial assistance fund as well. Spreading your story of the impact the Y has had on you, doing a mini fundraiser for our Community Support Campaign at your place of work, sharing the wonderful programs we offer and volunteering your time and talent are a few ways you can give back — once you are back on your feet. 

YMCA volunteers are involved in educational tutoring, clerical assistance and event planning; they even lend a hand as youth sports coaches and with facility maintenance. Some volunteers have special talents or skills that they provide for the Y. As a nonprofit organization, the YMCA is grateful to the hundreds of community volunteers who help out in many ways each day.