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Colorado Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

Colorado Homeschool Funding

Part-time enrollment, reimbursements, and district programs.

CO
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: Part-Time Public School Enrollment & District Homeschool Enrichment (no statewide ESA)

Admin: Local school districts (oversight via CDE Schools of Choice)

Typical award

Amount: No cash stipend to families. Districts may fund approved classes/services for part-time students; parent-provided instruction cannot be funded.

Disbursement: District-provided courses/materials (not a parent-controlled ESA card).

Who qualifies

  • Residency: Colorado residents filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a Nonpublic Home-Based Educational Program (NPHBEP).
  • Age/grade: Generally ages 6–16 compulsory window; testing in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
  • Other: To access district funding/services, student must enroll part-time in a public school program.

Timeline

  • NOI: File at least 14 days before starting, and annually thereafter.
  • Part-time classes: District windows (typically mid-summer for fall; Nov–Jan for spring).
  • Testing: Grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 (submit results to the receiving district or an eligible school).

Overview

Colorado does not offer a statewide ESA or voucher for homeschool. Funding primarily flows through part-time public school enrollment and district-run “options/enrichment” programs. Families may access public courses, activities, and some district-provided materials while remaining homeschool for core instruction. Recent state guidance clarifies districts may not fund parent-provided instruction or “family spending accounts.” :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Programs

Part-Time Public School Enrollment

  • Type: District courses/services for homeschoolers enrolled part-time
  • Award: No cash to families; district receives fractional per-pupil funding and may provide approved classes/materials
  • Uses: On-site or online classes, labs, electives, some district-issued curriculum/supplies
  • Admin: Your local school district (register through school or options office)

CDE Schools of Choice (overview)

Funding must be tied to public-school instruction; parent-led hours don’t count toward funded time.

District Homeschool Options / Enrichment

  • Type: District-run enrichment days or vendor-taught classes
  • Award: District pays approved providers/materials (no parent debit cards)
  • Notes: 2024–25 rule clarifications ended parent-spending-account models run by third-party contractors (e.g., OpenEd exited Colorado)
  • Admin: Local districts; policies vary

News: Contracted program exit & rule changes

Districts cannot fund parent-provided instruction; “family spending accounts” are not part of the rules. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Extracurricular Access (Equal Access)

  • Type: Participation in sports/activities at your neighborhood school
  • Admin: Local district under state equal-access statute

Equal Access statute (§22-32-116.5)

Homeschoolers can join extracurriculars if they meet the same eligibility rules as enrolled students. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Special Education (services via your district)

  • Type: Evaluation and possible services for students with disabilities
  • Admin: Local district special education department

CDE Homeschool (services & contacts)

Contact your district; services and processes differ by LEA. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Eligibility

  • Residency: File an NOI with any Colorado district 14 days before starting, then annually. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
  • Instructional time: At least 172 days, averaging 4 hours/day. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  • Subjects: Reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, science, and U.S. Constitution. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  • Testing: Grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11—national test or qualified evaluator; submit results to the district receiving NOI (or eligible independent/parochial school). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
  • Part-time access: Must enroll in the district for the courses/activities you want to take; funding tied to public-school instruction.

How to apply

  1. File your NOI: Send written Notice of Intent to any Colorado district (include student name, age, address, hours). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
  2. Choose your path: Stay homeschool only, or add part-time district classes/extracurriculars (contact your local options/activities office). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
  3. Register for part-time: Complete district registration for the specific school/program and pick classes. Funding flows through the district, not to the family.
  4. Keep records & test: Maintain required records; complete testing in 3/5/7/9/11. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Go to CDE homeschool hub

Covered expenses

  • District-provided classes (in-person/online)
  • District-issued textbooks/materials for those classes
  • Lab/equipment fees tied to enrolled courses
  • Activity fees for extracurricular participation
  • Not funded: Parent-provided instruction time
  • Not funded: Parent “spending accounts”/cash stipends
  • Outside purchases generally not reimbursed unless arranged/paid by district per policy
  • Policies vary by district; ask your options office

District funding must reflect public-school instruction; reimbursements do not count as instructional time.

Deadlines

MilestoneDateNotes
NOI due≥14 days before startingRenew annually with any CO district. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Part-time fall enrollmentDistrict windows (Jun–Aug)Varies by district/program. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Part-time spring enrollmentDistrict windows (Nov–Jan)Varies by district/program.
Testing submissionAfter grades 3/5/7/9/11Submit to the NOI district or eligible school. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Does Colorado give homeschool ESAs or vouchers?
No. Colorado’s homeschool is deregulated and not publicly funded; access to funding is via part-time public school enrollment/services. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
Can I get reimbursed for curriculum I buy?
Generally no. District funds must support public-school instruction; parent-provided instruction and “family spending accounts” are not funded.
Can homeschoolers play sports or join band?
Yes, under Colorado’s equal-access law, if you meet the same eligibility rules as enrolled students. Contact your neighborhood school’s AD. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
What are the NOI, days, and testing requirements?
File NOI 14 days before starting and yearly; teach 172 days at ~4 hrs/day; test/evaluate at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

Contacts

CDE Schools of Choice (homeschool)

Email: soc@cde.state.co.us
Phone: 303-866-6600

General guidance; districts set program specifics. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}

Your local district

Contact the district homeschool/options office for part-time classes and activities (e.g., Jeffco Home-Based Education, Adams 12 Home School). :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}

Law & regulations