Colorado School Choice Options
Colorado does not have a state education savings account, voucher, or tax credit scholarship program. However, Colorado has opted in to the new federal scholarship tax credit for 2027. In addition, many public school districts, charter schools, and BOCES offer part-time programs for homeschool students. These programs offer classes and enrichment at no tuition cost.
Day to day, a part-time program lets your child take some public school classes while you keep homeschooling. A 2026 law, SB26-023, changed how these programs work. For example, students must file a homeschool notice of intent and give it to the program. Programs also cannot pay for private activities or purchases. Meanwhile, the Colorado Department of Revenue is building the list of scholarship granting organizations for the federal credit. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
Colorado has no state-funded education savings account, voucher, or tax credit scholarship program for K-12 students.
The federal scholarship tax credit (Internal Revenue Code section 25F) begins January 1, 2027, in states that opt in. Colorado was on the IRS list of participating states as of October 22, 2026 (IRS: FSTC Participating States). Taxpayers may claim a credit of up to $1,700 for gifts to a qualified scholarship granting organization (SGO).
The Colorado Department of Revenue is collecting SGO applications through November 30, 2026, and will send its list of SGOs to the IRS by January 1, 2027. Contact: DOR_SGOApplications@state.co.us (Colorado Department of Revenue: Scholarship Granting Organizations).
Part-time programs for homeschool students are public school programs that serve homeschool students part time. School districts, charter schools, and boards of cooperative services (BOCES) can offer them. Contact your local district, charter school, or BOCES to see what is available near you (CDE: Part-Time Programs for Families).
SB26-023, the 2026 School Finance Act, changed the rules for part-time homeschool programs (Colorado General Assembly: SB26-023). Students must file a homeschool notice of intent and provide it to the program. Students enrolled in an independent or parochial school cannot be counted in a program. Programs cannot fund private activities or purchases. Programs that serve students outside their authorizer’s boundaries need approval from the Colorado Department of Education.
As of July 15, 2026, CDE had received 47 applications from programs operating outside their boundaries for 2026-27, and planned rulemaking for the fall (CDE news release, July 15, 2026).
Colorado Department of Education homeschool questions: Home_School@cde.state.co.us (CDE).
Homeschool students may also join public school activities on an equal basis (HSLDA). See our Colorado Homeschool Laws page.
- Colorado Department of Education: Part-Time Programs for Families and CDE news release (July 15, 2026)
- Colorado General Assembly: SB26-023
- IRS: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Participating States (as of October 22, 2026)
- Colorado Department of Revenue: Scholarship Granting Organizations
Last reviewed: October 31, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
- October 31, 2026
- New law: Added the SB26-023 changes to part-time homeschool programs (Colorado General Assembly).
- Editorial/clarification: Replaced the coming-soon placeholder with a guide to Colorado’s school choice options, including part-time programs and the federal tax credit, sources, and a last-reviewed date.