Colorado School Calendar 2026-2027

Colorado's public school system is administered by the Colorado Department of Education and serves students across approximately 180 school districts, from large urban systems like Denver Public Schools to small rural districts in the San Luis Valley and Eastern Plains. Colorado is distinctive in that it requires a minimum of 160 instructional days or 1,080 instructional hours per year — fewer days than the 180-day standard in many other states, though the hourly requirement ensures adequate instructional time. Most Colorado districts begin the academic year in mid-to-late August and conclude in late May. Colorado has a strong school choice environment, including open enrollment policies, a significant charter school sector, and online learning options. The state administers the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments in spring, covering English language arts, mathematics, and science, as well as the PSAT and SAT for high school students. Colorado's mountain communities present unique scheduling considerations: some districts in ski resort areas may adjust calendars around peak tourism seasons, and weather-related school closures are more common in high-elevation communities. The Denver metropolitan area encompasses numerous independent school districts with varying calendars. Families should always confirm specific dates with their local district, as break schedules, start dates, and professional development days can differ significantly across Colorado's geographically diverse regions.