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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in Colorado: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in Colorado, and families must meet notification plus testing and/or record requirements. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- Moderate
- Notification
- Annual notice
- Instruction time
- 172 days/year
- Required subjects
- 9 subjects
- Assessment
- Required
- Recordkeeping
- Required
- Compulsory ages
- 6–17
Notification
Colorado requires annual notice, due 14 days before starting; annually thereafter.
File a Notice of Intent with the local school district at least 14 days before starting, then once annually.
Instruction time
Colorado requires 172 days of instruction per school year.
172 days averaging at least 4 hours of instruction per day (≈688 hours/year).
Required subjects
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- History
- Civics
- Literature
- Science
- Geography
Required: reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and geography.
Assessment & testing
Colorado requires periodic assessment of homeschooled students.
Standardized test or professional evaluation required every other year starting in 3rd grade.
Recordkeeping
Colorado requires homeschool families to maintain records.
Records of attendance and academic progress required.
Parent qualifications
None specified beyond filing requirements.
Track Colorado’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against Colorado’s rules — and turns them into portfolio PDFs, transcripts, and report cards when you need them. Free for one student.
Private by design: your family’s records stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in Colorado?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In Colorado, families must meet notification plus testing and/or record requirements. Children ages 6–17 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires annual notice — 14 days before starting; annually thereafter. File a Notice of Intent with the local school district at least 14 days before starting, then once annually.
How many days or hours of instruction does Colorado require?
Colorado requires 172 days of instruction per year. 172 days averaging at least 4 hours of instruction per day (≈688 hours/year).
What subjects are required in Colorado?
Colorado requires: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Mathematics, History, Civics, Literature, Science, Geography. Required: reading, writing, speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and geography.
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado has an assessment requirement. Standardized test or professional evaluation required every other year starting in 3rd grade.
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in Colorado?
Colorado requires families to keep homeschool records. Records of attendance and academic progress required.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the Colorado Department of Education and HSLDA’s Colorado page.
Not legal advice. This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeschool laws change frequently. Always verify requirements with your state's Department of Education or a qualified homeschool legal organization before making compliance decisions. Requirements shown were last verified 2026-09.