Colorado homeschool checklist for this year

Answer two questions and get the year's deadlines with their dates, the notice, testing and records, each linked to the law. Print it or tick it off here.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and Colorado's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on October 29, 2026 against the sources linked on this page.

Colorado homeschool checklist, school year

Things to do, with their deadlines

At least 14 days before you start
Send written notice to a school district in Colorado that you are setting up a home-based education program.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 22 (General Assembly): sections 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5
In grades 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11
Each child takes a nationally standardized achievement test, or a qualified person evaluates the child's progress. The results go to the school district that got your notice, or to an independent or parochial school.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 22 (General Assembly): sections 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5

Need the letter? Fill in the Colorado letter of intent and print it.

All year

All year
Teach the subjects Colorado names: reading, writing and speaking (communication skills), mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, the U.S. Constitution.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 22 (General Assembly): sections 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5
All year
Keep count of the days and hours. The program must include no less than 172 days of instruction, averaging four instructional contact hours per day.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 22 (General Assembly): sections 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5
All year
The parent keeps each child's records permanently, including attendance data, test and evaluation results, and immunization records. The records must be produced to the school district that received your notice on 14 days' written notice if the superintendent has probable cause to believe the program is not in compliance.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 22 (General Assembly): sections 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5

Good habits (not in the law)

Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.
Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.

Dates shown are the next time each deadline comes round from today. Your ticks and answers stay in this browser; nothing is sent.

Where this comes from

Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 22 (General Assembly): sections 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5 (the law)

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in Colorado; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.