Homeschooling in Colorado

Regulation: Low-Moderate

Three legal paths. Home-based education requires annual notice, required subjects, and periodic testing.

Colorado offers three legal paths for homeschooling. Standardized testing and portfolio review are assessment options within the home-based education path — not separate legal paths.

Option 1: Home-Based Education

The most common path. File annual notice, cover required subjects, and complete periodic assessments.

How to start: File notice of intent with any Colorado school district 14 days before starting, and annually thereafter. Include student names, ages, residence, and hours of attendance.
Parent qualifications: Instruction must be provided by a parent, guardian, or adult relative designated by a parent. High school diploma or GED required.
Required subjects: 172 days of instruction averaging 4 hours/day in: US Constitution, reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, and science.
Testing: Assessment required in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Choose either a nationally standardized achievement test (must score above 13th percentile composite) or evaluation by a qualified person. Results submitted to the school district or an independent/parochial school.

Legal reference: CRS §22-33-104.5(1)(a)

Option 2: Independent (Umbrella) School

Enroll through an established Colorado independent school. The school manages compliance.

How to start: Enroll with an approved Colorado independent school. Do not file a separate NOI with a school district.
Parent qualifications: Set by the independent school.
Required subjects: Set by the independent school.
Testing: Set by the independent school.

Legal reference: CRS §22-33-104.5

Option 3: Certified Teacher Instruction

If the instructor holds a valid Colorado teaching certificate, there are no state requirements at all.

How to start: Arrange for instruction by someone holding a valid Colorado teaching certificate. No notice of intent required.
Parent qualifications: Instructor must hold a valid Colorado teaching certificate.
Required subjects: None state-mandated.
Testing: Not required.

Legal reference: CRS §22-33-104.5(1)(b)

Getting started

Most Colorado families use Option 1 (Home-Based Education). File a notice of intent with any school district 14 days before starting and each year thereafter.

Assessment (Option 1)

At grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 you must either administer a standardized achievement test or have a qualified person evaluate your child's progress. A standardized test must show a composite score above the 13th percentile. Results are submitted to your school district or to an independent or parochial school within Colorado.

Required subjects (Option 1)

Colorado requires 172 instructional days averaging 4 hours per day, covering the US Constitution, reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, and science.

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Last reviewed: 2026-05