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United States · Homeschool rules

Homeschooling in Colorado

What the law asks of you, in plain language, with links to the official sources so you can check every line.

Moderate requirements Notice required Last verified October 20, 2026

At a glance

Notice

Required

Curriculum

See details

Testing

See details

Teacher

No qualifications

Telling the authorities

Notice is required

Who: Any Colorado public school district (also notifying your district of residence is recommended)

When: At least 14 days before you begin homeschooling, and again every year

How to do it

Send a written Notice of Intent to a Colorado school district at least 14 days before starting, and re-submit it each year. Include the child's name, age and address, and the number of instructional hours. Many districts offer a form, but a letter with the required details also works. Notice is not required until your child turns 6.

Requirements

Curriculum
You choose the curriculum, but instruction must include communication skills (reading, writing and speaking), mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular courses on the U.S. Constitution. You must provide at least 172 days of instruction a year, averaging 4 hours a day.
Testing
Required in grades 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11: either a nationally standardized achievement test or an evaluation of academic progress by a qualified person, at your own expense. Results go to the school district that received your notice (or to an independent or parochial school, which must be named to the district).
Record keeping
Keep attendance records, test or evaluation results, and immunization records. A district can only ask to see them with 14 days' written notice, and only if it has probable cause that the program is out of compliance.
Teacher
No qualifications required. Instruction can be given by a parent, a legal guardian, or an adult relative they designate.

Recent changes

Correction (October 2026): we updated this page after checking it against the Colorado Department of Education. Your notice of intent is due at least 14 days before you start (not within 14 days after), it must be renewed every year, and testing or a professional evaluation is required in grades 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

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General information, not legal advice. Always confirm with your school district or education department.