Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in Colorado

Here is exactly what Colorado requires to homeschool legally - how to notify (if needed), what records to keep, testing rules, and how to get started.

Last updated June 2026

Notice required
Required
Instructional days
172 hrs/year
Portfolio
Not required
Testing / evaluation
Required

Colorado homeschool requirements

  • Notification: File a one-page notice with your local school district by August 1 (or within 14 days of beginning). Provide student name, age, and address.
  • Required subjects: Cover Reading, Writing, Speaking, Math, History, Geography, Science, Civics, PE, Health, Art, Music.
  • Teacher requirement: No teacher certification is required to teach your own children.
  • Portfolio / records: No portfolio is required by the state, though keeping records is recommended.
  • Testing / evaluation: Students in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 must take an annual standardized test or be evaluated by a qualified person. Parents keep results; no submission required.
  • Recordkeeping: Keep your homeschool records for at least 1 year.

Key dates & deadlines

At the start of the yearFile your required notification with the district or state.
AnnuallyRenew your notification and complete the required assessment.

Getting started in Colorado

  1. File your required notification with your district or the state (see requirements above).
  2. Set up simple records: a log of instruction and samples of your child’s work.
  3. Choose curriculum covering Reading, Writing, Speaking, Math, History, Geography, Science, Civics, PE, Health, Art, Music.
  4. Plan for the required annual assessment or evaluation.
  5. Keep your records on file for at least 1 year.

Scholarships & funding in Colorado

Colorado does not currently run a state scholarship or education savings account program that homeschool families can use. Families here typically fund curriculum and materials themselves, which makes keeping clean purchase records useful at tax time and if the state's rules change.

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in Colorado?
File a one-page notice with your local school district by August 1 (or within 14 days of beginning). Provide student name, age, and address.
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
No - there is no teacher-certification requirement.
Is standardized testing required?
Students in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 must take an annual standardized test or be evaluated by a qualified person. Parents keep results; no submission required.
How long should I keep records?
Keep your homeschool records for at least 1 year.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in Colorado?
Not at present. Colorado has no state scholarship or education savings account program open to homeschool families, though families still commonly track purchases for their own budgeting.
What subjects must I teach in Colorado?
Colorado requires you to cover Reading, Writing, Speaking, Math, History, Geography, Science, Civics, PE, Health, Art, Music. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does Colorado require?
Colorado expects about 172 hours of instruction a year. Logging lessons as you go is far easier than reconstructing the total later.
Track all of this automatically

Beyond My Books logs your Colorado instructional days, required subjects, portfolio, and deadlines - and warns you before anything is due.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change - verify current requirements with your Colorado department of education or county superintendent.