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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Colorado

What happens to your child's special education services when you homeschool in Colorado, and how to reach the services that remain available.

What happens to your child's services

When you withdraw your child to homeschool in Colorado, the IEP ends because IEP services belong to children attending public school. Your district must still make its evaluation procedures available to homeschooled children. A home-based program is not a private school under Colorado law, so its students are not eligible for federal private school equitable services; your child may attend a public school for part of the day, but Colorado law does not say whether special education is provided during that time.

Primary source: 1 CCR 301-8 (ECEA Rules) 4.02(1)(a), 8.02(1); C.R.S. 22-33-104.5; 34 CFR 300.130

How to access services while homeschooling

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Dual enrollment

A child in a home-based program may also attend a public school for part of the school day (C.R.S. 22-33-104.5(6)(a)). Colorado law does not say whether the child receives special education during that time.

C.R.S. 22-33-104.5(6)(a)

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Child Find

Child identification procedures must be available throughout the year to all children who may have a disability, including children whose parents choose home schooling.

How to request: Request an evaluation from the administrative unit (school district or BOCES) where you live.

1 CCR 301-8, ECEA Rule 4.02(1)(a)

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Equitable services

Not available to home-based program students. Colorado law says a home-based program does not qualify as a private school, and federal equitable services go only to children enrolled in private schools. Colorado law does not say whether a private umbrella school student taught at home counts as a private school child.

Before you withdraw

  1. 1

    Request complete copies of all IEP documents, evaluations, and progress reports before you withdraw.

  2. 2

    Consider requesting an IEP meeting to discuss the transition. This is optional.

  3. 3

    File your homeschool notice as your state requires. Our wizard prepares it for you.

  4. 4

    Arrange any private therapies or services your child needs before withdrawal takes effect.

Keep copies of all IEP documents, evaluations, and progress reports. You'll need them if you re-enroll.

Special education help

COPAA

copaa.org · Find a special education attorney near you

Wrightslaw

wrightslaw.com · Special education law encyclopedia

Common questions

What happens to my child's IEP when I start homeschooling in Colorado?
When you withdraw your child to homeschool in Colorado, the IEP ends because IEP services belong to children attending public school. Your district must still make its evaluation procedures available to homeschooled children. A home-based program is not a private school under Colorado law, so its students are not eligible for federal private school equitable services; your child may attend a public school for part of the day, but Colorado law does not say whether special education is provided during that time.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Colorado?
Dual enrollment: A child in a home-based program may also attend a public school for part of the school day (C.R.S. 22-33-104.5(6)(a)). Colorado law does not say whether the child receives special education during that time. Child Find: Child identification procedures must be available throughout the year to all children who may have a disability, including children whose parents choose home schooling.

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Requirements sourced from C.R.S. 22-33-104.5. Last reviewed October 2026