Laws & FAQs

for Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming

Your state’s homeschool legal requirements are the first, and most important things you need to know before you begin. Keep in mind that public school, private school, and homeschool laws are completely separate entities. What’s true for one, is not always true of another. If you need clarification of what the statutes mean (most of us do), the best people to ask are your State Homeschool Organization. School district and Dept of Ed personnel, even if they’re the person slated to pick up the phone and answer your questions, often haven’t been thoroughly trained in the all the ins and outs of the homeschooling laws. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Home Education Magazine
Since its launch in 1983, Home Education Magazine has been the most respected, diverse and inclusive homeschool magazine available. This is one resource you’ll keep and refer back to, again and again.

National Home Education Legal Defense
NHELD protects and defends the rights of families who wish to educate in freedom.

The Court Case
Virtual School owner files lawsuits, takes down Home Education Magazine’s server. Chilling. A must-read.

 
Colorado
Colorado’s Homeschool Law
The full text of Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5.

The Colorado Homeschool Law “In A Nutshell” (FAQ)
What does all this (CRS) 22-33-104 and 22-33-104.5 mumbo jumbo mean? Here’s a detailed breakdown, in plain English.
 
Montana
Montana’s Home School Law
The Montana Office of Public Instruction’s site, with a .pdf file of the statutes that “may be of interest to those with questions about home schooling”.

Montana Homeschool FAQ
A nice FAQ that even includes Montana’s homeschooling history, courtesy of the Montana Coalition of Home Educators.

 
New Mexico
New Mexico Home School Operators Procedure Manual
(Strange name. It kinda sounds like instructions to drive some sort of vehicle.) This is the New Mexico Public Education Department’s official site, containing the Operator’s Manual, contact information, and basic how-to-begin list.

New Mexico Homeschool Law FAQ
Courtesy of The Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op. You can find lots of other resources here, too.
 
 

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.   - Margaret Mead

Utah
Utah Education Code for Homeschooling
The legal requirements in Utah consist of an Exemption to the compulsory attendance law, plus a few sections of the Utah Administrative Code, so it’s a little hard to find “the law” all in one place, but A to Z’s Home’s Cool put it all together.

Utah Education Code for Homeschooling II
Here’s another site with the law all in one place. Oddly enough, it’s from the Salcido Law Firm, which is a homeschool lawyer’s website. Very nicely laid out and easy to read.

Utah’s Homeschool Law FAQ
Courtesy of the Utah Christian Home School Association.

 
Wyoming
Wyoming Home Education Statutes
The full text of Wyoming’s law, officially known as Wyoming Title 21, Chapter 4, Sections 1-5. Includes the compulsory school age, immunizations, suspension and expulsion rules.

Wyoming Department of Education
The state’s official Home School Info page.

Wyoming Home Education FAQ
A brief FAQ from the Homeschoolers of Wyoming.

Wyoming Homeschool Mom FAQ
Another nice FAQ, with a couple of twists (she’s an Accidental Homeschooler and her son has ADHD) and lots of commentary. She also has a page of informative links