Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Colorado - from filing your Notice of Intent to testing in required grades. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Colorado offers a three-path system for homeschooling, giving families choices ranging from full state oversight to virtually no requirements at all. The state explicitly says homeschools are "subject only to minimum state controls" - but those minimums include specific subjects, testing requirements, and recordkeeping.
Colorado homeschool law is governed by C.R.S. § 22-33-104.5 (Home-Based Education Programs). The Home-Based Education path is the most common and requires a Notice of Intent filed 14 days before starting, instruction in 8 specific subjects, 172 days of schooling averaging 4 hours per day, and standardized testing or evaluation in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
For families who prefer less state interaction, Colorado also offers an independent school (umbrella) path that handles most reporting, and a licensed teacher path with essentially no requirements at all.
You can file your NOI with any school district in Colorado - it does not have to be your local district. The Colorado Department of Education does not accept NOIs or advise on homeschool matters. All interaction is with your chosen school district.
Colorado offers three legal ways to homeschool your children. Each has a different level of state oversight, and the differences are significant. Here is how they compare.
| Requirement | Home-Based Education | Independent School | Licensed Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Basis | C.R.S. § 22-33-104.5 | Independent/Parochial School | C.R.S. § 22-33-104.5 |
| Notice of Intent | Required (14 days before) | Not required | Not required |
| Attendance | 172 days, avg 4 hrs/day | 172 days (per school) | No requirements |
| Parent Qualification | None | None | CO teaching license required |
| Required Subjects | 8 subjects + US Constitution | Per school rules | None |
| Testing/Evaluation | Grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 | Per school rules | Not required |
| Recordkeeping | Attendance + test results | Per school rules | Not required |
| Best For | Most families | Families wanting less reporting | Licensed teacher parents |
The Home-Based Education path under C.R.S. § 22-33-104.5 is used by most Colorado homeschool families. You file a Notice of Intent with a school district, provide 172 days of instruction averaging 4 hours per day, teach 8 required subjects plus the US Constitution, and have your child tested or evaluated in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. There are no parent qualification requirements - any parent can teach.
You can enroll your child in a Colorado-based independent or parochial school and homeschool under their supervision. The child is classified as a private school student. The school handles most reporting requirements, and test results go to the school instead of the district. No Notice of Intent to the district is required. Popular umbrella schools include CHEC Independent School ($95-105/year) and Colorado Heritage Education. Typical costs range from $50-200 per year.
If the instructor holds a valid Colorado teaching license, there are essentially no requirements at all - no NOI, no testing, no subject requirements, no hour/day requirements, and no recordkeeping. The license must be current and valid in Colorado. The licensed teacher can be a parent or another adult designated by the parent.
If you want to manage compliance yourself and do not mind filing with a school district, the Home-Based Education path is straightforward. If you prefer less district interaction and want support, an Independent School (umbrella) simplifies reporting. If a parent holds a Colorado teaching license, the Licensed Teacher path has zero requirements.
To begin homeschooling under the Home-Based Education path, you must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with a Colorado school district at least 14 days before starting.
If your child was habitually truant in the 6 months prior to homeschooling, the district may request a curriculum outline before you begin. This is the only situation where curriculum can be requested by the district.
If you plan to submit test results to an independent school instead of a district, note this on your NOI. This gives you the option to keep testing results more private. Blue Folder can generate your NOI letter automatically. Try it free →
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Under the Home-Based Education path, Colorado requires a minimum of 172 days of instruction per year, with an average of 4 hours per day. This totals a minimum of 688 hours of annual instruction.
The 4-hour requirement is an average - you can have longer days and shorter days, as long as the average across the year works out to at least 4 hours per day. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar, and you can set your own schedule.
Track your attendance daily throughout the year. Colorado requires attendance records, and the district can request them if there is probable cause to believe your homeschool is not compliant (with 14 days' notice). Blue Folder makes attendance tracking simple with calendar-based logging. Try it free →
If you use the Independent School (umbrella) path, the school requires 172 days but may have its own policies on hour tracking. If you use the Licensed Teacher path, there are no attendance requirements at all.
Colorado requires Home-Based Education families to maintain specific records. The district's access to these records is limited - they can only request records if the superintendent has "probable cause to believe" your homeschool is not compliant, and they must give you 14 days' notice before requesting.
Keep your records organized by school year and by subject. Documenting coverage of all 8 required subjects helps demonstrate compliance if questions ever arise. Use Blue Folder to track attendance, store test results, and generate your compliance binder in one click. Try it free →
The district cannot proactively request your records. They can only do so if the superintendent has probable cause to believe your homeschool is not compliant. Even then, they must give you 14 days' notice. You have strong privacy protections under Colorado law.
Colorado requires testing or evaluation for Home-Based Education students in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. This means your child is assessed 5 times across their K-12 education.
If a student scores at or below the 13th percentile on a standardized test:
Colorado requires testing only in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. There are no annual evaluations or portfolio reviews required between testing years. Plan ahead and schedule testing or evaluation in the spring of each required grade.
Many local homeschool groups and umbrella schools coordinate group testing, which can make the process easier and more affordable. The professional evaluation option is a good alternative if your child does not test well in standardized settings. Blue Folder tracks which grades require testing and reminds you automatically. Try it free →
Unlike many states, Colorado does specify required subjects for Home-Based Education families. You must provide instruction in 8 subject areas plus the United States Constitution.
Additionally, Colorado requires regular instruction in the Constitution of the United States. This can be integrated into your History or Civics instruction.
While the subjects are specified, parents choose their own curriculum and materials. There is no approval process and no requirement to use specific textbooks or programs. You have full freedom in how you teach these subjects.
Document your coverage of all 8 required subjects in your records. A simple log showing which subjects you taught each week or month demonstrates compliance if questions ever arise. Many families integrate "Speaking" (communication skills) naturally through discussions, presentations, and everyday conversation - it does not need to be a formal class.
If you use the Independent School (umbrella) path, subject requirements are set by the school. If you use the Licensed Teacher path, there are no subject requirements at all.
Colorado homeschool deadlines center around the Notice of Intent and testing in required grades. Here are the dates you need to know.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 14 days before starting | File initial Notice of Intent | Submit to any Colorado school district. Include names, ages, residence, and planned hours. Cannot file with CDE. |
| By August 1 (annual) | Re-file Notice of Intent | Annual renewal of your NOI with the same school district. Recommended deadline (check with your district for exact date). |
| Grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 | Testing or evaluation | Administer standardized test or arrange professional evaluation. Submit results to district or independent school. |
| Throughout the year | Maintain attendance | 172 days minimum, averaging 4 hours per day (688 total hours). Keep attendance records. |
Colorado requires the NOI to be filed 14 days before you begin homeschooling, not after you start. Plan ahead - if you want to start homeschooling on September 1, your NOI must be filed by August 18. Do not begin instruction before the 14-day period has passed.
Colorado currently has no state funding programs available for homeschoolers. Understanding the financial landscape helps you plan your budget.
As of 2026, Colorado does not have:
Amendment 80 (2024 ballot) addressed school choice but did not create homeschool funding. Federal scholarship tax credit programs may become available in future years.
Federal law allows 529 plan funds to be used for K-12 expenses, including homeschool curriculum materials, up to $10,000 per year. This can help offset costs for textbooks, online courses, and other educational materials.
Take advantage of free resources: your local library system, free online curricula (Khan Academy, CK-12, Easy Peasy), used curriculum exchanges through local homeschool groups, and group testing coordinated by umbrella schools. Many Colorado families homeschool effectively for under $500 per year per child.
Colorado offers some public school access for homeschoolers, though options vary by district and are not always guaranteed.
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) allows students enrolled in independent schools to participate in public school sports at their school of residence or at the school where their independent school is located. District policies vary, so contact your local district for specific eligibility requirements.
Districts may allow homeschoolers to take individual classes, access specific programs, or use school facilities. This is at district discretion and not guaranteed. Contact your local district to ask about availability.
Contact your district for evaluation services if you believe your child has a disability. Services may be limited for homeschoolers, and some districts are more accommodating than others.
High school-age homeschoolers may be able to take courses at Colorado community colleges. Contact your local community college for dual enrollment options, eligibility requirements, and registration deadlines.
If sports access is important to your family, enrolling in an independent school (umbrella) may provide the best path to CHSAA eligibility. Some umbrella schools also offer their own athletic programs, co-op classes, and group activities.
Colorado's homeschool requirements are moderate but include some specific details that new families often overlook. Here are the most common mistakes.
Colorado requires instruction in 8 specific subjects plus the US Constitution. This is more prescriptive than many states. While you choose your own curriculum and materials, make sure you are covering all required subjects and documenting your instruction.
Don't make these mistakes
Blue Folder tracks every deadline, subject requirement, and testing year for you automatically.
Track Colorado ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with your school district or consult a qualified attorney. For the full text of the law, see C.R.S. § 22-33-104.5. Last updated February 2026.