Colorado

School Choice Policies

Charter School Choice

Does the state have charter schools?

Are for-profit charter schools or management companies allowed?

Yes-

A charter school must organize as a non-profit: "Each charter school shall organize as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to the "Colorado Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of title 7, C.R.S..."

However, "[a]n entity that holds a charter...may choose to contract with an education management provider, which education management provider may be a for-profit, a nonprofit, or a not-for-profit entity, so long as the charter school maintains a governing board that is independent of the education management provider."

22-30.5-104(4)(a-b): Charter school - requirements - authority - rules - definitions

Is there a cap on the number of charter schools?

Did not find-

We did not find information about caps on charter schools in Colorado statutes. A policy expert in Colorado confirmed that there is no mention of charter school caps in Colorado statutes. The expert indicated that the lack of a statute means that, in practice, there are no caps on charter schools in Colorado. Education Commission of the States states that Colorado does not have caps on charters.

Education Commission of the States 50-State comparison

Are charters required to provide transportation for any students?

No-

Charter schools may choose not to provide transportation.

22-30.5-106.(m) Charter application - contents

Can charter schools employ uncertified teachers?

Yes-

District and charter teachers must hold an initial or a professional teacher's license or authorization issued pursuant to the provisions of article 60.5 of this title, unless the school or district has received a waiver from this provision.

22-63-201.(1-2) Employment - license required

Virtual School Choice

Do state statutes allow for full-time virtual schools?

Yes-

Colorado statutes allow for online schools and online programs.

22-30.7-102.(9; 9.5): Definitions

Are virtual schools required to track attendance?

Yes-

Students in online programs/schools are subject to compulsory school attendance as provided in article 33 of this title: each online program and online school must document a student's compliance with compulsory attendance requirements by documenting the student's attendance.

22-30.7-105.(2)(a): Program criteria

Do virtual schools have to comply with state teacher certification requirements?

Yes-

Supplemental online courses must be taught by a teacher who is licensed pursuant to article 60.5 of this title.

22-5-119.(3)(j)(I): Statewide supplemental online and blended learning program

Private School Choice

Does the state have voucher programs?

No-

No voucher programs found.

EdChoice School Choice in America

Does the state have educational expense tuition tax credits or deductions?

No-

No educational expense tax credits or deductions found.

EdChoice School Choice in America

Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?

Not Applicable

Is there a cap on the number of students or private schools participating in voucher programs?

Not Applicable

Are voucher students in private schools required to take any standardized tests?

Not Applicable

Can private schools be removed from voucher programs based on performance?

Not Applicable

Are private schools in voucher programs required to provide transportation?

Not Applicable

Interdistrict School Choice

Does the state have interdistrict choice programs?

Yes-

Every district shall allow "nonresident pupils from other school districts within the state who apply pursuant to the procedures established pursuant to subsection (2) of this section to enroll in particular programs or schools within such school district without requiring the nonresident pupils to pay tuition."

22-36-101(1)(b): Choice of programs and schools within school districts

Are receiving schools or districts required to provide transportation to any students?

Did not find

Page last updated: January 2021

Click here to download the State Policy Spreadsheet. Click here to download the State Policy Map Data Memo.

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The State Policy Map provides a snapshot of school choice policy found in laws passed by the legislative bodies, for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on information gathered from state statutes in fall 2019; data checks continued through December 2020. Information on this site may not include the most up-to-date policy information. The State Policy Map does not systematically reflect state Department of Education administrative policies, rules, or regulations. All content on this site is provided for informational purposes only. Links to third-party websites are for the user’s convenience; neither REACH nor any affiliated entities endorse the contents of third-party sites.

Note: On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Montana's exclusion of religious schools from the state's tax credit scholarship program was unconstitutional (Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue 591). The responses to the question "Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?" were collected before this ruling and therefore do not reflect any changes resulting from the Espinoza decision.