Homeschooling in Colorado: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Colorado strikes a middle ground in homeschool regulation—more requirements than Texas or Oklahoma, but considerably less than New York or Pennsylvania. You'll file an annual Notice of Intent, teach nine required subjects across 172 days, and test your child at specific grade levels. Once you understand these basics, compliance is straightforward.

The state's three-pathway structure gives you options. Most families file directly with a school district (home-based education), but umbrella schools offer an alternative that some find administratively simpler. If you happen to hold a valid Colorado teaching license, you're exempt from most requirements entirely.

Colorado's homeschool community benefits from strong sports access rights—your child can participate in public school athletics on equal footing with enrolled students. The state lacks funding programs for homeschoolers, but that also means no funding-related strings attached. This guide walks through what Colorado requires and how experienced families make it work.

Colorado Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Three Ways to Homeschool in Colorado

Colorado law (C.R.S. 22-33-104.5) provides three distinct pathways to legal homeschooling^[3]. Each has different requirements and trade-offs.

Option 1 — Home-Based Education Program: The most common choice^[2]. File a Notice of Intent with any Colorado school district (not necessarily your local one), follow the testing requirements, and maintain records. You're directly accountable to state homeschool law.

Option 2 — Independent/Umbrella School: Enroll with a Colorado-based independent school operating under the Non-Public School Law, such as CHEC Independent School^[4]. You follow that school's policies rather than filing directly with a district. Testing schedules and requirements may differ—for example, CHEC requires testing only in odd-ending school years.

Option 3 — Licensed Teacher Instruction: If the parent or instructor holds a valid Colorado teaching license, there are no notification, assessment, or record-keeping requirements whatsoever^[3]. This is rare but worth knowing if it applies to your situation.

Important: Choose one pathway and stick with it^[4]. Filing a Notice of Intent AND enrolling in an umbrella school creates confusion because you become subject to both the Home-Based Education Law and Non-Public School Laws—even when they conflict.

Comparing Your Options

How to Start Homeschooling in Colorado

Notification Requirements

For home-based education, you must file a Notice of Intent with a Colorado school district before starting and annually thereafter^[3].

Timing: Submit at least 14 days before beginning homeschool instruction^[3]. Annual re-filing is required each subsequent year.

What to include: Children's names, ages, residence address, and number of attendance hours^[1]. That's it. Do NOT provide information beyond what's legally required—extra details can create expectations for future homeschoolers.

Where to file: You may submit to ANY Colorado school district, not just your local one^[5]. Some families strategically choose districts known for cooperative homeschool interactions.

Age considerations: You're not required to notify until your child is 6 years old (by August 1st)^[3]. Instruction doesn't need to begin until age 7. You can stop filing after your child turns 16^[2].

Superintendent response: The superintendent must acknowledge receipt but cannot approve, deny, or impose additional requirements^[5]. Your homeschool is legal once you've filed—there's no waiting for permission.

Testing Requirements

Colorado requires assessment in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11—the odd-numbered grades starting at third^[3]. You have two options for satisfying this requirement.

Option A — Nationally Standardized Achievement Test: Administer an accepted test (CAT, ITBS, Stanford, Terra Nova, CLT, or NWEA MAP) and achieve a composite score above the 13th percentile^[3]. Colorado state assessments like CMAS do NOT fulfill this requirement^[5].

Option B — Professional Evaluation: Have a qualified person evaluate your child's academic progress^[3]. Qualified evaluators include: a Colorado licensed teacher, a teacher at an independent or parochial school, a licensed psychologist, or someone with a master's degree or higher in education^[2].

What happens with low scores: Students scoring below the 13th percentile on standardized tests must be retested or placed in a public or private school^[3]. In practice, most homeschooled students test at or above grade level.

Umbrella school alternative: If enrolled in an umbrella school like CHEC, you follow their testing schedule—often only in odd-ending school years (e.g., 2024-25, 2026-27), which reduces testing frequency^[4].

Practical advice: Many families use CAT or ITBS tests, which can be ordered and administered at home. Testing services are available through various homeschool organizations statewide.

Required Subjects and Instructional Time

Colorado requires instruction in nine subject areas across 172 days averaging 4 instructional hours daily^[3].

Required subjects[^3]: - Communication skills (reading, writing, speaking) - Mathematics - History - Civics - Literature - Science - U.S. Constitution

Instructional time: The 4-hour average is calculated across your school year—some days can be shorter, others longer^[5]. 172 days is your annual target. Pro-rating is allowed if you start mid-year^[2].

What counts as instruction: Colorado doesn't define instruction narrowly. Reading, math practice, hands-on science, educational field trips, and project-based learning all count. The 4 hours is an average, not a rigid daily requirement.

Curriculum freedom: You select textbooks, online programs, or create your own materials^[2]. There's no state-approved curriculum list. Classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, unit studies—all approaches are legal as long as you cover required subjects.

Annual Compliance Checklist

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Colorado law (C.R.S. 22-33-104.5(6)) explicitly grants homeschooled students the right to participate in public school extracurricular and interscholastic activities on equal footing with enrolled students^[3].

What's covered: CHSAA-sanctioned sports (football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, track, etc.) as well as fine arts, band, and other activities^[1]. The law applies broadly.

Where your child can participate: Generally, at the school district where you filed your Notice of Intent, or for umbrella school students, either your school of residence or school of attendance^[5].

Eligibility requirements: Your child must meet the same age, behavioral, and eligibility requirements as enrolled students^[3]. If previously enrolled in public school, they must have met academic eligibility standards during the preceding grading period.

Fees: School districts can charge up to 150% of fees associated with activities^[3].

Practical process: Contact your target school's athletic department. Requirements vary by district—some require completing request forms, others are more informal. Start early to understand their specific procedures.

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Colorado homeschool parents set their own graduation requirements and issue diplomas. There's no state-recognized homeschool diploma—you create and award it yourself based on the standards you've established.

Creating transcripts: Document courses, credits, and grades across all four years. Include course titles, credit hours, grades, and cumulative GPA. Detailed course descriptions strengthen college applications. There's no mandated format—consistency matters most.

College preparation: Colorado colleges accept homeschool applicants. You'll typically need SAT or ACT scores, transcripts, and potentially course descriptions or portfolios. University of Colorado, Colorado State, and other state schools have established homeschool admission processes.

Dual enrollment: Colorado community colleges welcome homeschool students. Concurrent enrollment allows high schoolers to earn college credit—often at reduced rates or free through the College Opportunity Fund.

Career and technical education: Some school districts provide access to CTE programs for homeschoolers. Contact your local district to explore options.

Special Situations

Starting mid-year: Colorado allows withdrawal from public school at any point. File your Notice of Intent (14 days before starting) and begin homeschooling. Pro-rate your 172-day requirement based on when you start.

The 13th percentile threshold: Students scoring below 13th percentile on standardized tests must be retested or placed in school. This sounds concerning but rarely affects homeschoolers—most score well above this baseline. The threshold measures whether education is occurring, not demanding high achievement.

Moving to Colorado: If relocating from another state, file your Notice of Intent with your chosen district before beginning instruction. Previous homeschool records support grade-level placement but don't automatically transfer compliance.

Returning to public school: If your child re-enters public school, the district may use placement testing. Maintain thorough records—even beyond legal requirements—to support appropriate grade placement.

Special needs: Homeschooled students may access evaluation services through their local school district under Child Find requirements. However, comprehensive special education services generally require public school enrollment.

Finding Community and Support

Colorado has a robust homeschool community with regional support networks throughout the state.

Statewide organizations: Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) hosts annual conferences, maintains an umbrella school, and provides resources for families across the state.

Regional co-ops: Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins—each major metro area has multiple co-ops offering group classes, field trips, and social activities. Rural areas have fewer options but still maintain support networks.

Testing resources: CHEC and other organizations offer testing services for standardized assessments. Local support groups often coordinate group testing sessions.

Finding your community: Start with Facebook groups (search "Colorado homeschool" plus your region), local library bulletin boards, and state organization directories. Word-of-mouth from other homeschool families is often the best source for finding well-run co-ops.

The Bottom Line

Colorado's homeschool framework is manageable once you understand the core requirements: file your Notice of Intent 14 days before starting, teach nine subjects across 172 days, and test in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. That's the foundation.

Most families file directly with a school district (home-based education), though umbrella schools offer an alternative with potentially simplified testing schedules. The licensed teacher exemption is available for the small percentage of families where it applies.

Your first step: file that Notice of Intent with your chosen school district at least 14 days before you plan to start. Then build your curriculum around the required subjects. Colorado's testing requirement ensures accountability while preserving your freedom to teach as you see fit.

The state's strong sports access rights are a genuine benefit—your child can participate in public school athletics without compromising your homeschool independence. Connect with local co-ops and support groups for the community aspect that makes homeschooling sustainable long-term.