Homeschooling in Colorado

Legal Framework

Colorado's homeschool law is found in Colorado Revised Statutes §22-33-104.5. The statute is straightforward and provides a clear legal framework for home-based education. Colorado is considered a moderate regulation state -- more requirements than Illinois or Michigan, but well-organized and manageable.

Children between the ages of 6 and 17 are subject to compulsory school attendance in Colorado.

Three Homeschooling Options

Colorado provides three legal pathways for homeschooling:

Option 1: Independent Home-Based Education

This is the standard pathway used by most Colorado homeschool families. You teach at home independently and handle all compliance requirements yourself.

Requirements:

• Notice of Intent: You must submit a written notification to your local school district 14 days before you begin homeschooling. This must be filed for each child age 6 or older, and renewed each year the program is maintained. The notice must include the child's name, age, place of residence, and the number of hours of attendance.
• No teacher qualifications required. You do not need a degree, certificate, or any formal training.
• Required subjects: You must provide instruction in communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking; mathematics; history; civics; literature; science; and the United States Constitution.
• Minimum hours: At least 172 days of instruction with a minimum of four contact hours per day, totaling at least 688 hours per year.
• Record-keeping: You must maintain records of attendance, test and evaluation results, and immunization records.
• Assessment: Your child must be tested or evaluated at the end of grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

Option 2: Umbrella School (Independent or Private School Enrollment)

You enroll with a Colorado-based private school that offers homeschool oversight -- often called an umbrella school or covering school. The school handles compliance paperwork, maintains official transcripts, and may provide guidance or structure.

Key features:

• You do not submit a Notice of Intent to the school district -- the umbrella school handles this.
• Requirements vary between umbrella schools. Some are hands-off; others require regular check-ins, curriculum submissions, or attendance tracking.
• No specific teacher qualifications are required by the state under this option.

Option 3: Instruction by a Licensed Teacher

If you hold a current Colorado teaching license, you are exempt from many of the standard requirements. This option is less commonly used but available to families where a parent holds a teaching credential.

Step-by-Step: Getting Started

1. Choose your option. Most families choose Option 1 (independent) or Option 2 (umbrella school).
2. File your Notice of Intent (Option 1) at least 14 days before you begin, or enroll with an umbrella school (Option 2).
3. Withdraw your child from their current school if applicable. Request a formal withdrawal and keep documentation.
4. Plan your curriculum. Cover the required subjects using your chosen approach.
5. Begin teaching. Maintain attendance records and plan for assessments at the required grade levels.

State Funding

Colorado currently has no state ESA, voucher program, or tax credit specifically for homeschool expenses. Independent homeschoolers receive no direct state financial support.

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program

In January 2026, Colorado opted into the federal Educational Choice for Children Act scholarship program. Under this program, taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to certified scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations award scholarships to K-12 families for education-related expenses including fees, books, supplies, tutoring, technology, internet access, transportation, and after-school and summer programs. Private school students can also apply scholarship funds toward tuition.

This is a significant development for Colorado homeschool families, as it represents the first time external scholarship funding has been accessible at this scale.

529 Plan Benefits

Colorado's CollegeInvest 529 plan offers state tax deductions for contributions. Colorado residents can deduct the full amount of 529 contributions from state taxable income. As of 2026, federal law allows up to $20,000 in annual withdrawals for K-12 education expenses, with an expanded list of qualifying homeschool expenses.

Coverdell ESAs

Families can save up to $2,000 per year per child in a Coverdell Education Savings Account with tax-free growth and withdrawals for educational expenses. Qualifying expenses include curriculum, tutoring, computers, and educational supplies.

State Tax Credit Proposal

A Colorado resolution (HCR20-1003) has proposed creating state income tax credits for families with children instructed at home, but this has not been enacted as of February 2026.

Free Resources

Colorado public libraries offer extensive free resources. The Colorado Department of Education publishes curriculum standards and homeschool guidance online. Many Colorado state parks and museums offer educational programming and homeschool discount days.