Ready to take charge of your child’s education on your terms? Homeschooling in Colorado gives you the freedom to create a learning space that’s rooted in your values and shaped around your child’s needs. With a range of homeschooling options and a strong homeschool-friendly culture, Colorado gives families the freedom to shape learning in meaningful ways.
This guide breaks down your legal options, planning steps, and places to find support to help you feel confident from day one. It’s everything you need to begin homeschooling in Colorado with clarity and ease.
Homeschooling options in Colorado
Colorado gives families three different legal options to homeschool. Each one has a slightly different setup, but all of them meet the requirements for educating your child at home. The key is choosing the path that feels most manageable and supportive for your family.
Homeschool under the homeschool statute
This is one of the most common and flexible routes for homeschooling in Colorado. You’ll provide instruction yourself (or designate a relative to do so) and submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to a Colorado school district at least 14 days before starting. From there, you’re free to build your own curriculum and daily rhythm, while following a few basic requirements, which are covered in this article, to stay in compliance.
Enroll in an independent (umbrella) school
Some families choose to homeschool by enrolling in a Colorado-based independent school, sometimes called an umbrella school. These schools let you teach at home while staying under their supervision. You won’t need to submit an NOI to a school district, and the independent school may offer helpful guidance, flexibility, and reporting requirements based on its policies.
Homeschool with a certified teacher
If your child’s instructor, whether it’s you or someone you designate, holds a valid Colorado teaching certificate, you can homeschool without filing an NOI or meeting additional requirements. This route gives your family complete teaching freedom while meeting the state’s expectations through certified instruction.
Requirements for homeschooling in Colorado
Once you’ve chosen your homeschooling path, it helps to understand what comes next in terms of paperwork, teaching expectations, and ongoing responsibilities. These requirements help keep things organized and make sure your homeschooling journey stays on track all year long.
Enrollment paperwork
If you’re homeschooling under Colorado’s homeschool statute, the first step is submitting your written NOI to a Colorado school district 14 days before you begin. This notice should include your child’s name, age, address, and expected hours of instruction. You’ll need to resubmit this notice each year, even if nothing changes. If you choose to homeschool through an independent school or with a certified teacher, the NOI isn’t required.
Attendance and instruction
Colorado requires homeschool programs to provide at least 172 days of instruction each year, with an average of four instructional hours per day. That may sound formal, but many families find they meet this standard naturally through their daily learning routines. If you start mid-year, you can prorate your school days based on what’s left in the academic calendar.
Curriculum guidelines
You’re in charge of selecting your child’s curriculum, and there’s plenty of room to personalize it. Just make sure to include core subjects like reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, science, and instruction in the U.S. Constitution. You can choose the books, resources, and learning approaches that suit your child’s needs best.
Recordkeeping essentials
Keeping basic records is part of homeschooling in Colorado. You’ll want to maintain attendance logs, test or evaluation results, or immunization records (or exemption forms, if applicable). You’ll keep these records for your own reference, but occasionally, the school district where you filed your NOI may request to review them.
Testing and assessments
Homeschooled students must be assessed in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 using either a nationally standardized test or a written evaluation by a qualified professional (like a licensed teacher, psychologist, or someone with a graduate degree in education). Results go to the district where you filed your NOI, or to a private or parochial school.
Homeschool with Outschool
When you're balancing daily life and homeschool responsibilities, having access to ready-made learning options can make everything feel more manageable. Outschool offers live online classes that bring extra support where you need it most.
Here’s how Outschool can support your homeschooling journey in Colorado:
- Choose from live classes in reading, math, science, art, and more
- Pick times that work best for your family’s schedule
- Join small groups where your child can participate and connect with peers
- Explore unique electives that go beyond traditional subjects
- Access class records easily to help you stay organized
Outschool is here to give you extra tools and options, so you can feel confident supporting your child’s learning, every step of the way.
How to get started
You’ve explored Colorado’s homeschooling options; now it’s time to put your plan into motion. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need to do first, depending on which path you’ve chosen.
If you're homeschooling under Colorado’s homeschool statute:
- Get your NOI ready and send it to any Colorado school district before you begin. This simply lets them know your child will be learning at home.
- Decide how you’ll organize your school year, keeping in mind the time guidelines Colorado sets for homeschoolers.
- Choose a curriculum, if you plan to use one, that fits your child’s needs while including the key subjects required by the state.
- Find a way to stay organized. Set up a binder or digital folder for keeping attendance records, testing results, and anything else you might need later.
- Make a plan for assessments in the years they’re required, and keep track of where you’ll send those results.
If you're enrolling in an independent (umbrella) school:
- Start by selecting an independent school that welcomes homeschool families and aligns with your educational goals.
- Complete the enrollment process with that school and follow any specific documentation or learning plans they outline.
- Ask what records they’ll need from you so you’re set up to meet their expectations throughout the year.
- Keep in touch with the school for any updates or opportunities. They may offer added support, resources, or community activities.
If a certified teacher is leading instruction:
- Confirm that your child’s instructor (either you or someone you choose) holds a current Colorado teaching license.
- Since this path doesn’t involve filing or testing requirements, focus on shaping a learning experience that supports your child’s progress and keeps things engaging.
- Even though it’s not required, it’s still a good idea to keep track of what’s being taught and how your child is growing throughout the year.
Each of these paths offers flexibility and freedom, but getting the first few steps right will help your homeschool year start smoothly and confidently.
Find support through homeschool communities in Colorado
When you’re leading your child’s education from home, having other families to learn and grow alongside can make the experience more rewarding and a lot more manageable. Colorado’s welcoming homeschool environment includes plenty of ways to connect, share advice, and join in on community learning opportunities.
Statewide organizations
These groups offer helpful information, events, and advocacy to support families homeschooling across Colorado:
Local groups and parent-led networks
All across Colorado, homeschool families are forming local groups that bring people together for co-ops, classes, field trips, and social meetups. Here are a few examples:
- Northern Colorado Homeschool Association: Connects families in Fort Collins, Loveland, and surrounding areas with educational meetups and resource sharing.
- Green Mountain Area Homeschoolers: Offers support and a range of activities for local families, including field trips, public speaking, art, sports, community service, and performance opportunities.
- Fort Collins Homeschool Gavel Club: A Toastmasters-affiliated group that helps middle and high school homeschoolers build public speaking and leadership skills in a fun, supportive setting.
Getting involved in a local group can help you build friendships, exchange ideas, and create fun, memorable learning moments for your child.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Homeschooling in Colorado can feel like a big shift at first, but getting answers to common questions can help ease the transition. Below are some of the top things parents wonder about when getting started with home education in the state.
What are the testing requirements for homeschooled students in Colorado?
Colorado requires homeschooled students to be tested or evaluated in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. You can either use a nationally standardized achievement test or have your child assessed by a qualified person, such as a licensed teacher or psychologist. The results must be submitted to the school district you filed your Notice of Intent (NOI) with, or to an approved independent or parochial school.
Do I need to be a certified teacher to homeschool my child in Colorado?
No teaching license is required. You can homeschool your child as long as you're their parent, legal guardian, or an adult relative you've designated. The law doesn’t require any formal education or certification for you to provide instruction, unless you're enrolling your child under the certified teacher option, where the teacher must hold a valid Colorado teaching certificate.
Are there any public funding options in Colorado?
My Spark Denver has been launched through a partnership with the City and County of Denver, Mile High United Way, and Gary Community Ventures to increase access to afterschool and extracurricular activities that can have positive benefits for youth. Outschool is an approved vendor in My Spark.
Up to 4,000 eligible students are currently eligible to participate. Learn more here.
Can homeschooled students in Colorado join public school sports or classes?
Yes, your child can participate in extracurricular activities, including sports and classes, through your local public school district. Colorado law gives homeschooled students the right to access these programs on the same basis as enrolled students. Each district sets its own process for how this works, so it’s a good idea to check with your local school for details.
Does Colorado issue diplomas to homeschooled students?
No, the state does not issue diplomas to students who homeschool under the home-based education law. You, as the parent, are responsible for deciding when your child has completed their high school education and can issue a diploma. Many families also create transcripts to help with college applications or job opportunities.
When do I need to file a notice of intent to homeschool in Colorado?
You’ll need to file a Notice of Intent at least 14 days before starting your homeschool program, and then once a year for as long as you continue.
Build your own path
There’s no one-size-fits-all way to homeschool, and that’s part of what makes it so empowering. With several legal options and lots of flexibility, you can create a plan that fits your family’s needs, your child’s learning style, and your day-to-day rhythm. The more you get familiar with the process, the more confident you’ll feel leading the way.
At Outschool, we make it easier to fill in the gaps, try something new, or simply add variety to your week. With thousands of live classes and flexible scheduling, we’re here to help your homeschool experience grow stronger every step of the way.
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