Homeschooling in Colorado.

Regulation level

High

Compulsory ages

Children who are 6 by August 1 must attend school until they turn 17, unless one of the routes below applies (Colorado Revised Statutes, or C.R.S., § 22-33-104).

Choosing a route

Colorado has three ways to teach at home: a home-based program you report to a school district, enrollment in an independent or parochial school, or teaching by a licensed teacher. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) calls homeschooling deregulated.

Funding

CDE says there's no public funding for homeschooling. Some districts run public part-time programs for homeschooled students; from 2026–27, joining one requires your yearly notice of intent.

What this route is

A sequential program of instruction at home, taught by a parent or an adult relative the parent designates. No teaching license is needed. It isn't a private school, and no district supervises it.

Statute citation

C.R.S. § 22-33-104.5.

Who you notify

Any Colorado school district you choose. If it isn't the district where you live, CDE suggests notifying your home district too, to avoid truancy questions.

How and when

In writing, 14 days before you start, then every year you continue. Notice isn't required before your child turns 6 or after 16, and the law says you needn't start the program until 7.

What the notice says

A statement with each child's name, age, place of residence and number of hours of attendance. If your child was habitually truant in their last six months of school, include a description of your curriculum.

Days and hours

At least 172 days a year, averaging 4 instructional contact hours a day.

Subjects

Reading, writing and speaking; math; history; civics; literature; science; and regular instruction in the U.S. Constitution.

Assessment

In grades 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11: a nationally standardized achievement test, or an evaluation by a qualified person, at your expense. Colorado's state tests don't count.

Who evaluates

Someone you choose who is a licensed Colorado teacher, a teacher at an independent or parochial school, a licensed psychologist, or a person with a graduate degree in education.

Where results go

To the district that got your notice, or to a Colorado independent or parochial school. If you use a school, tell your district its name.

If results fall short

A composite result at or below the 13th percentile, or an evaluation showing insufficient progress, means enrolling in a public, independent or parochial school until the next testing period. After a low test result, your child may retest first.

Records to keep

Permanent records: attendance, test and evaluation results, and immunization records. Your notice district can ask for them, with 14 days' written notice, only if its superintendent has probable cause to think you're out of compliance.

What this route is

Your child enrolls for at least 172 days in a Colorado independent or parochial school that provides a basic academic education. The school sets its own requirements, and the home-based program rules don't apply.

Statute citation

C.R.S. § 22-33-104(2)(b).

What this route is

Your child is taught at home by a teacher licensed in Colorado. This is a separate exemption from the home-based program.

Statute citation

C.R.S. § 22-33-104(2)(i)(I).

Notice and testing

This exemption sets no notice, testing or day rules of its own. Ask your district whether it wants anything in writing.