Colorado · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Colorado

Colorado asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearWritten notice of intent to any Colorado school district at least 14 days before beginning; renewed annually.

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time172 days a year

RecordsKeep 1 year

How to start homeschooling in Colorado

Written from Colorado's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Colorado asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Written notice of intent to any Colorado school district at least 14 days before beginning; renewed annually. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing.
Cover the subjects the state names
Colorado names 9 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Colorado expects records to be kept for 1 year.
Plan the yearly assessment early
Colorado asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Nationally standardized achievement test (composite score above 13th percentile); Evaluation by a qualified person showing sufficient academic progress. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing — ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing
When it is due: Written notice of intent to any Colorado school district at least 14 days before beginning; renewed annually.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Source: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing — ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Nationally standardized achievement test (composite score above 13th percentile)
Evaluation by a qualified person showing sufficient academic progress
Named tests: Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS)Stanford Achievement TestCalifornia Achievement Test (CAT)Any nationally standardized achievement test
Portfolio: A portfolio of your child's work must be kept and may be reviewed

Source: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing — ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: ReadingWritingSpeaking (Communication Skills)MathematicsHistoryCivicsLiteratureScienceConstitution of the United States
Instruction time: 172 days a year
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: Keep your records for 1 year.
Legal routes: Pathway 1: Home-Based Educational Program (CRS 22-33-104.5) — file notice of intent with any CO school district 14 days prior to starting, renew annually; teach 172 days averaging 4 contact hours/day; test or evaluate at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11; keep records
Pathway 2: Independent/Umbrella School — enroll under a Colorado nonpublic school that assumes compliance responsibility; no separate district notice required; umbrella school's requirements apply
Pathway 3: Parent holds a valid Colorado teaching license — no notice, reporting, or testing requirements
Umbrella / cover schools: Colorado has a strong umbrella/independent school network (e.g., Colorado Heritage Homeschool, CHEC-affiliated programs). Enrolling under an umbrella school eliminates the need to file directly with a school district.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing — ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Colorado law (CRS 22-32-116.5) allows homeschool students to participate in public school interscholastic activities, including sports, subject to the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students.
Dual enrollment: Colorado homeschool students may enroll in community college courses through the Concurrent Enrollment program. Students may also access individual public school classes (CRS 22-33-104.5(6)).
Diplomas: Colorado does not issue state diplomas to homeschoolers. Families self-issue or use accredited umbrella programs. Portfolios and standardized test records support transcript documentation.
College admissions: Colorado colleges and universities accept homeschool applicants. SAT/ACT scores, transcripts, and assessment portfolios are standard. Concurrent enrollment credits transfer to colleges.
Support for additional needs: FAPE entitlement ends upon withdrawal from public school. Local school districts must make Child Find evaluations available upon request, but service delivery is at district discretion.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing — ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in Colorado

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Colorado education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Colorado

Is homeschooling legal in Colorado?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Colorado. Colorado has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Written notice of intent to any Colorado school district at least 14 days before beginning; renewed annually.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Colorado?

Colorado requires 172 days a year.

What subjects are required by law in Colorado?

Colorado requires instruction in the following subjects: Reading, Writing, Speaking (Communication Skills), Mathematics, History, Civics, Literature, Science, Constitution of the United States.

Does Colorado require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Colorado requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Nationally standardized achievement test (composite score above 13th percentile), Evaluation by a qualified person showing sufficient academic progress.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Colorado law (CRS 22-32-116.5) allows homeschool students to participate in public school interscholastic activities, including sports, subject to the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing — ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about Colorado

Colorado requires annual notice (14 days before starting), 172 days of instruction averaging 4 hours/day, testing or portfolio evaluation at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 (score above 13th percentile or qualified evaluator sign-off), and permanent record-keeping. Three legal pathways allow flexibility. Umbrella school enrollment eliminates district-level notice obligations. Sports access and concurrent enrollment available.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing — ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in Colorado

Regulator: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing
Official site: ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool
Forms: ed.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Colorado's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

This page was written from Colorado's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Colorado Department of Education (CDE) — School Choice unit; local school district of family's choosing. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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