Colorado Homeschool Reporting & Compliance: Annual Checklist

by | Mar 30, 2026 | Homeschooling in Colorado, Record Keeping & Compliance

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Colorado Homeschool Reporting & Compliance: Annual Checklist

Key Takeaways:

  • File written notification 14 days before starting and annually thereafter
  • Track 172 days/year and 4-hour daily average for attendance
  • Complete testing or evaluation at odd grades (3, 5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Maintain attendance, testing, and immunization records permanently
  • No state reports to CDE, but keep records for district inspection if requested

Colorado’s compliance requirements are moderate. You won’t file dozens of reports to the state. You will manage notification, attendance tracking, testing, and record-keeping. This checklist keeps you on track.

Pre-Homeschool Checklist (Before Starting)

Before You Begin Homeschooling:

  • [ ] Choose a school district to file notification with (can be any CO district, not just your resident district)
  • [ ] Gather notification information: Child’s name, age, birthdate, address, attendance records
  • [ ] Obtain/create withdrawal letter if leaving public school mid-year
  • [ ] Request student records from previous school if applicable
  • [ ] Prepare immunization records (copy from doctor or previous school)
  • [ ] Review Colorado’s 9 required subjects: Reading, Writing, Speaking, Math, History, Civics, Literature, Science, Constitution
  • [ ] Select initial curriculum (at least enough to start)
  • [ ] Set up record-keeping system (attendance tracker, test storage, etc.)
  • [ ] File written notification with school district 14 days before starting

Annual Compliance Calendar

14 Days Before Starting (or Each School Year)

  • [ ] File Written Notification with School District
  • Contact district’s home-based education coordinator
  • Provide: Child name, age, birthdate, address
  • Some districts have forms; others accept letter
  • Keep copy for your records
  • File annually if continuing

Throughout the School Year (All Year)

  • [ ] Track Attendance Daily
  • Date, hours completed, general subject focus
  • Target: 172 days of instruction
  • Minimum average: 4 hours per day
  • Update weekly or bi-weekly, not year-end
  • [ ] Maintain Curriculum Records
  • Document what you’re studying (not required, but helpful)
  • Keep textbooks and curriculum information
  • Record any curriculum changes mid-year
  • [ ] Keep Immunization Records Current
  • Copy of immunization documentation
  • Update if new vaccinations administered
  • File permanently

Spring/Early Summer (Before Testing Year Ends)

If your child is in an odd grade (3, 5, 7, 9, or 11):

  • [ ] Schedule Testing/Evaluation
  • Option 1: Nationally standardized test (Iowa Assessments, Stanford SAT-10, etc.)
  • Option 2: Professional evaluation by qualified person
  • Schedule 4-6 weeks before school year ends
  • Standardized tests require advance registration
  • [ ] Arrange Test Administration
  • If standardized test: find qualified administrator
  • Can be parent if administrator-trained; can be school; can be testing center
  • Professional evaluation: schedule evaluator
  • [ ] Complete Testing/Evaluation
  • Administer test or complete evaluation before school year ends
  • Collect results/report
  • [ ] Submit Results to School District
  • Send scores or evaluation report to district where you filed notification
  • OR send to independent/parochial school in Colorado willing to hold scores
  • Keep proof of submission (email confirmation, receipt)
  • If below 13th percentile: district may require remediation plan

End of School Year

  • [ ] Review Attendance Records
  • Confirm 172+ days of instruction completed
  • Verify 4-hour average (can be uneven across days)
  • Adjust records if needed before official closure
  • [ ] Compile Annual Summary
  • Total days of instruction
  • Total hours
  • Testing results (if applicable)
  • Note any absences or disruptions
  • [ ] Archive Records
  • Attendance records (permanent)
  • Test results (permanent)
  • Immunization records (permanent)
  • Keep organized for future reference
  • [ ] Plan for Next Year
  • Reflect on what worked and what didn’t
  • Plan curriculum for next year
  • Budget for materials and testing

Timeline Summary

| When | What | Due | |——|——|—–| | Before starting | File written notification | 14 days before start | | All year | Track attendance | Ongoing | | All year | Maintain records | Ongoing | | Spring (odd grades 3,5,7,9,11) | Complete testing/evaluation | Before year ends | | Spring (odd grades) | Submit test results | After testing | | End of year | Finalize attendance records | Before next year starts | | Annually | Refile notification | Each school year |

Testing Year Reference

If your child is currently in these grades, testing is due this school year:

| Grade | Testing Year | Test Due By | |——-|————-|————| | 3 | Spring 2026 | May/June 2026 | | 4 | No testing | — | | 5 | Spring 2027 | May/June 2027 | | 6 | No testing | — | | 7 | Spring 2028 | May/June 2028 | | 8 | No testing | — | | 9 | Spring 2029 | May/June 2029 | | 10 | No testing | — | | 11 | Spring 2030 | May/June 2030 | | 12 | No testing | — |

Required Records to Maintain

Keep Forever:

  • [ ] Attendance Records: Showing 172 days/year and 4-hour average
  • [ ] Test Results: Standardized test scores or professional evaluation reports from grades 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
  • [ ] Immunization Records: Documentation of current immunizations
  • [ ] Notification Filing Proof: Copy of notification sent to district each year
  • [ ] Test Submission Proof: Confirmation of test results submitted to district

Non-Required (But Helpful) Records

Keep These Too:

  • [ ] Curriculum and textbook information
  • [ ] High school transcript (for college)
  • [ ] Grades (if assigning them)
  • [ ] Extracurricular documentation
  • [ ] Awards and achievements
  • [ ] Work samples (portfolio)
  • [ ] Transcripts from any dual enrollment or virtual courses

Special Situations

If You Move Within Colorado:

  • [ ] File new notification with new district within 14 days of move
  • [ ] Notify previous district of withdrawal
  • [ ] Transfer all records to new location

If You Move Out of Colorado:

  • [ ] Notify Colorado district of withdrawal
  • [ ] Request records transfer
  • [ ] File with new state’s education authority per their requirements

If You Take Time Off (Extended Travel, Illness):

  • [ ] Still must hit 172 days annually
  • [ ] Plan strategically if taking extended break
  • [ ] Accelerate on remaining days to meet requirement

If Testing Results Are Below 13th Percentile:

  • [ ] District may require remediation plan
  • [ ] Document remediation efforts
  • [ ] Plan retesting for next required grade
  • [ ] Consider professional evaluation instead of standardized test if struggling

If You Homeschool During Custody/Legal Issues:

  • [ ] Ensure homeschool notification is filed by legal guardian
  • [ ] Keep all records documented
  • [ ] Consult HSLDA if legal questions arise

Compliance Contact Information

Colorado Department of Education (CDE):

  • Website: cde.colorado.gov
  • Home-based education office handles questions
  • They do NOT approve curriculum or issue permits
  • They do NOT require annual state reports for homeschoolers

Your School District:

  • Contact district’s home-based education coordinator
  • They process notification and testing results
  • They can inspect records if needed (rare)

HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association):

  • Membership: $120/year
  • Provides legal support if district overreaches
  • Colorado-specific legal guidance available

CHEC (Christian Home Educators of Colorado):

  • Annual conference and resources
  • Local chapter support
  • Guidance on compliance

Red Flags: Don’t Get Behind

Avoid These Compliance Issues:

  • [ ] Missing the 14-day notification deadline before starting
  • [ ] Failing to test in an odd grade year (3, 5, 7, 9, 11)
  • [ ] Falling below 172 days of instruction without plan to catch up
  • [ ] Not submitting test results to district after testing
  • [ ] Discarding permanent records
  • [ ] No documentation if district inspects

Annual Checklist Template

Print This for Your Fridge:

“` COLORADO HOMESCHOOL COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST School Year: ____-____ Student: ________________

□ Notification filed with [District Name] by [Date] □ Attendance tracker created and updated weekly □ Curriculum documented (if applicable) □ Immunization records filed □ Mid-year check: ____ days completed, on track for 172 □ If testing year: Testing scheduled for [Date] □ Testing completed by [Date] □ Results submitted to district by [Date] □ Year-end: Confirm 172+ days completed □ Records archived and filed permanently □ Ready for next school year “`

FAQ

Q: What if I forget to file notification and start homeschooling? A: File immediately. Contact the district and explain the oversight. File within 14 days of actually starting. Late notification may trigger truancy issues; get ahead of it.

Q: Can I use test results from a private school my child attended? A: No. Colorado requires either a nationally standardized test OR professional evaluation. Private school testing doesn’t meet the requirement.

Q: What if my child is sick during testing year? A: Reschedule for before the school year ends (May/June). If illness prevents spring testing, consider professional evaluation instead as an alternative.

Q: Do I report anything to the state (CDE)? A: No. Colorado does not require state reports. You file notification with your school district only.

Q: How long after school year ends must I have testing completed? A: Before the school year officially ends (typically June). Summer testing can happen later, but it’s better to finish on school year calendar.

Compliance is straightforward if you stay organized. Set calendar reminders for notification deadlines and testing timelines. Keep records filed permanently. You’ll be compliant without stress.