How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in Colorado

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Colorado requires to start

   Parents give written notification to a Colorado school district fourteen days before starting the program, and each year after. The parent certifies only the name, age, place of residence and number of hours of attendance of each child (22-33-104.5(3)(e)). It is notice only; the state does not approve the program and the Department of Education does not collect notices.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The statute says nothing about leaving a public school itself. The CDE FAQ says notice may go to any Colorado district, but if it does not go to the district where the child lives it is advisable to notify that district as well to avoid truancy action. A child counted as habitually truant in the last 6 months must also submit a written description of the curricula with the notice (22-33-104.5(3)(b)).

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   Notify 14 days before the program begins, then each year. Notification is not required until the child is 6, and the program is not required until age 7 or after age 16, per the statute text on the CDE page.

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Parents keep permanent records of attendance, test results and immunization, and produce them on 14 days written notice if the superintendent has probable cause (22-33-104.5(3)(g)). Public schools accept home transcripts on a child's return (22-33-104.5(4)). FERPA also gives a parent the right to inspect and request a copy of the child's education records.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   Federal rule: if a parent revokes consent in writing for continued special education and related services, the school may not continue them and must give prior written notice before stopping (34 CFR 300.300(b)(4)). The CDE page notes that services for special populations are a district matter, and no state-specific withdrawal form was found.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Colorado: the items Colorado asks to be included are listed in it. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The school district office of the district where I live [name and address]

Re: Notice of intent to home school, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Under C.R.S. 22-33-104.5, I am notifying you that I will be providing a home education program for my child beginning [start date].

Colorado asks that this notice include the following (complete or confirm each one):
- Name of each child [fill in]
- Age of each child [fill in]
- Place of residence [fill in]
- Number of hours of attendance [fill in]

Please also treat this letter as my notice that my child is withdrawn from [name of current school] effective [start date].

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in Colorado

Colorado Department of Education, Home School, last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions