Colorado Homeschool Requirements
Moderate regulationEverything Colorado asks of homeschool families, organized by topic. Each point links to the official source we drew it from.
- Topics:
- 12
- Last reviewed:
- June 4, 2026
- Funding programs:
- 0 state · 3 national
Notice / Letter of Intent
Moderate regulationRequirements to notify the state or local district of intent to homeschool.
Parents must provide written notification to a school district 14 days before establishing a home-based educational program, and annually thereafter. The notice need only certify the child's name, age, residence, and hours of attendance.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(e) requires 14 days advance written notification annually. If the child was habitually truant within the last 6 months, a curriculum description must also be submitted.
- CRS §22-33-104.5 — Home-based education · Statute · primary
“Any parent establishing a nonpublic home-based educational program shall provide written notification to a school district within the state fourteen days prior to establishment.”
Required Subjects
Moderate regulationSubjects the state mandates be taught.
The program must include reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular instruction in the US Constitution.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(d) lists required subjects. The phrase 'but need not be limited to' means families may add subjects freely. No specific textbooks mandated.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(d) · Statute · primary
“Shall include, but need not be limited to, communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular courses of instruction in the constitution of the United States.”
Instructional Days / Hours
Moderate regulationMinimum instructional days or hours per year.
Colorado requires a minimum of 172 days of instruction, averaging four instructional contact hours per day.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(c) specifies 172 days minimum at 4 hours/day average. No requirement to follow the public school calendar.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(c) · Statute · primary
“Shall include no less than one hundred seventy-two days of instruction, averaging four instructional contact hours per day.”
Assessment / Testing
Moderate regulationStandardized testing, portfolio review, or other assessment requirements.
Students must be evaluated at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 using a nationally standardized achievement test or evaluation by a qualified person. Results submitted to the notified school district.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(f) requires evaluation at specified grades. Qualified evaluator = licensed teacher, school psychologist, or person with graduate degree in education. Under §22-33-104.5(5), scoring at or below 13th percentile may trigger required enrollment until next testing.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(f) · Statute · primary
“Each child shall be given a nationally standardized achievement test or a qualified person shall evaluate the child's academic progress at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.”
Recordkeeping / Portfolio
Moderate regulationRecords, attendance logs, or portfolios the family must maintain.
Parents must maintain permanent records including attendance data, test/evaluation results, and immunization records. Records produced to district only with probable cause and 14 days notice.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(g) requires permanent records including attendance, test results, and immunization records. District can compel production only with probable cause of non-compliance and 14 days written notice.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(g) · Statute · primary
“Records shall include, but need not be limited to, attendance data, test and evaluation results, and immunization records.”
Parent Qualifications
Low regulationEducation level, certification, or other qualifications required of the teaching parent.
No teaching credential or degree required. The parent or an adult relative designated by the parent may provide instruction. Exempt from the Colorado Educator Licensing Act.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(a) explicitly exempts home-based program instructors from the Colorado Educator Licensing Act of 1991. Instruction may be by parent or designated adult relative.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(a) · Statute · primary
“A parent or an adult relative designated by a parent shall not be subject to the requirements of the Colorado Educator Licensing Act of 1991.”
Immunization / Health
Low regulationImmunization, vision/hearing screening, or health requirements for homeschooled students.
Parents must maintain immunization records as part of the permanent home-education record per CRS §§25-4-901 through 25-4-903. Religious and medical exemptions are available.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(g) incorporates CRS §§25-4-901, 25-4-902, and 25-4-903 by reference. Records maintained privately, not submitted to any agency unless compelled with probable cause. Religious and medical exemptions available under §25-4-903.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(g) · Statute · primary
“Records shall include immunization records, as required by sections 25-4-901, 25-4-902, and 25-4-903.”
Special Needs / IEP
Low regulationProvisions for students with disabilities or IEPs in a homeschool setting.
Home-based program children are not automatically entitled to district special education services since the program is nonpublic and outside district supervision. Families may access IDEA child find and equitable services or enroll part-time.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(2)(a) classifies the program as not qualifying as a private/nonprofit school. IDEA child find applies but districts have no affirmative IEP obligation. Part-time enrollment may provide access to services.
- CRS §22-33-104.5 · Statute · primary
“This educational program is not intended to be and does not qualify as a private and nonprofit school.”
Withdrawal / Enrollment
Moderate regulationProcess to withdraw from public school or formally enroll as a homeschool student.
Parents provide written notification 14 days before starting. No formal withdrawal form required. When returning to public school, the district accepts home-program transcripts but may test to verify accuracy.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(e) requires 14-day advance notice. Under §22-33-104.5(4), returning students have transcripts accepted but may be tested for verification.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(e) and (4) · Statute · primary
“The school district shall accept the transcripts for credit from the non-public home-based educational program.”
Compulsory Education Age
Moderate regulationAge range during which education is compulsory.
General compulsory attendance covers ages 6-17, but home-based program notification is not required until age 6, the program need not start until age 7, and the requirement ends at age 16.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(e)(I)-(III): notification not required until age 6; program not required until age 7; program and notification not required after age 16. General compulsory law in §22-33-104 covers ages 6-17.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(e)(I)-(III) · Statute · primary
“A parent is not required to: (I) provide notification until the child is age 6; (II) establish the program until the child is age 7; (III) continue after the child is age 16.”
Graduation / Diploma
Low regulationRules around issuing a homeschool diploma or equivalent.
No state graduation requirements for home-based programs. Parents issue their own diplomas and transcripts. Districts accept transcripts for credit but may test to verify.
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No state-prescribed graduation credits. CRS §22-33-104.5(4) provides transcript acceptance upon re-enrollment in public school.
- CRS §22-33-104.5(4) · Statute · primary
“The school district shall accept the transcripts for credit from the non-public home-based educational program.”
Sports / Extracurricular Access
Low regulationWhether homeschooled students may participate in public school sports or activities.
Colorado's Tim Tebow Law (CRS §22-32-116.5) guarantees homeschooled students equal access to extracurricular and interscholastic activities at their local public school on the same terms as enrolled students.
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CRS §22-33-104.5(6)(b)(I) and §22-32-116.5(1)(a) together establish that homeschooled children have the same rights as enrolled students and may participate on an equal basis. Districts may not require course enrollment as a condition of participation (unless the activity is a course extension). Fees for non-enrolled participants cannot exceed 150% of enrolled student fees.
- CRS §22-32-116.5 — Tim Tebow Law · Statute · primary
“Shall allow any student participating in a nonpublic home-based educational program to participate on an equal basis in any activity offered by the school district.”
Funding programs for Colorado families
All funding →Curiosity Harbor doesn't award or administer any of these. We track them so you can apply directly with the funder.
National programs
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Scholarship · National
High school seniors (homeschoolers eligible), minimum unweighted GPA 3.75, SAT/ACT/AP/IB scores required, maximum household income $95,000. Must apply during senior year (no gap years).
Up to $55,000 · up to $55,000 per year, last-dollar award supplementing institutional aid
HSLDA Curriculum Grant
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) · Curriculum stipend · National
Must hold current HSLDA membership, demonstrate significant financial need, have homeschooled at least one child (ages 6-19) for minimum 3 months, fund homeschool privately (no public funds or ESAs), and have legal custody.
$300 – $400 · per child, may reapply annually
HSLDA Disaster Relief Grant
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) · Disaster relief · National
Must have suffered damage from a regional natural disaster within past 18 months, be homeschooling at least one child aged 6-19, privately fund schooling, and hold a free My HSLDA Account.
Up to $650 · up to $650, delivered by check
Have a question about homeschooling in Colorado?
The assistant answers from these same requirements and cites the official source.
Ask Curiosity HarborThis page is general information, not legal advice. Curiosity Harbor Foundation summarizes Colorado law from the sources cited above; statutes and agency guidance change. Confirm with the official source or your state education agency before making decisions for your family.