You are here
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Every child with a disability who attends public school and receives special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). An IEP is a document uniquely designed for one specific student, with the intention of improving educational results for that child. Each IEP must be created in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and, in Colorado, the Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA).
Quick Links
Parent Resources
Parent-specific information regarding the IEP process.
Extended School Year (ESY)
This pamphlet defines and explains Extended School Year services for the parents of a child with disabilities.
- ESY - What Families Need to Know pamphlet - English (PDF)
- ESY - What Families Need to Know pamphlet - Spanish (PDF)
IEP Process Procedural Guidance
The IEP Procedural Guidance document was revised the summer of 2017 and incorporates suggestions from directors and ESSU professionals. Content was not changed.
Extended School Year Determination Webinar
Extended School Year refers to special education and related services provided in accordance with a child's IEP, but which are provided beyond the normal school year at no cost to the child's parent(s).
- Extended School Year Guidelines, Revised September 2017 (PDF)
- PowerPoint: Slides from Extended School Year Determination Webinar (PDF)
- ESY Predictive Factor Worksheet (PDF)
Procedural Safeguards
Translations of Procedural Safeguards
This form describes the Educational Rights of Parents and Due Process Procedures.
2024
IEP Review
This form to be used for annual review meetings
Eligibility
These forms (Microsoft Word: English/Spanish) to be used for eligibility determination meetings including initial and triennial reviews.
English
Determination of Eligibility:
House Bill 11-1277 amended the Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA) to align Colorado’s eligibility categories with corresponding federal terms and requirements and/or terminology used in the field. This legislation was passed in May 2011, with the disability category and eligibility language taking effect on October 30, 2012.
Disability Categories and Eligibility Criteria
English
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (English)
- Deaf-Blindness (English)
- Developmental Delay (English)
- Hearing Impairment, Including Deafness (English)
- Intellectual Disability (English)
- Multiple Disabilities (English)
- Orthopedic Impairment (English)
- Other Health Impaired (English)
- Serious Emotional Disability (English)
- Specific Learning Disability (English)
- Speech or Language Impairment (English)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (English)
- Visual Impairment, Including Blindness (English) (Doc)
Spanish
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (Spanish)
- Deaf-Blindness (Spanish)
- Developmental Delay (Spanish)
- Hearing Impairment, Including Deafness (Spanish)
- Intellectual Disability (Spanish)
- Multiple Disabilities (Spanish)
- Orthopedic Impairment (Spanish)
- Other Health Impaired (Spanish)
- Serious Emotional Disability (Spanish)
- Specific Learning Disability (Spanish)
- Speech or Language Impairment (Spanish)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (Spanish)
- Visual Impairment, Including Blindness (Spanish) (Word)
Supporting Documents
These supplemental forms support the special education process.
English
- Behavior Intervention Plan (English) (Word), Behavior Intervention Plan (English) (PDF)
- Communication Plan (English)
- Consent for Initial Provision of Services (English)
- Consent to Invite Agencies (English)
- ESY Data Documentation (English)
- Functional Behavior Assessment Summary Report Form (Word), Functional Behavior Assessment Summary Report Form (PDF)
- IEP Team Member Excusal (English)
- IEP Amendment and Prior Written Notice (English)
- Learning Media Plan (English)
- Manifestation Determination
- Notice of Graduation/Maximum Age (English)
- Notice of Meeting (English)
- Prior Written Notice of Special Education Action (English)
- Release Confidential Information (English)
- Student Invitation to Transition IEP Meeting (optional) (English)
- Secondary Transition Summary of Performance
- Transfer In-State (English)
- Transfer Out-of-State (English)
Spanish
- Behavior Intervention Plan (Spanish)
- Communication Plan (Spanish)
- Consent for Initial Provision of Services (Spanish)
- Consent to Invite Agencies (Spanish)
- ESY Data Documentation (Spanish)
- IEP Team Member Excusal (Spanish)
- IEP Amendment and Prior Written Notice (Spanish)
- Learning Media Plan (Spanish)
- Manifestation Determination
- Notice of Graduation/Maximum Age (Spanish)
- Notice of Meeting (Spanish)
- Prior Written Notice of Special Education Action (Spanish)
- Release Confidential Information (Spanish)
- Student Invitation to Transition IEP Meeting (optional) (Spanish)
- Secondary Transition Summary of Performance
- Transfer In-State (Spanish)
- Transfer Out-of-State (Spanish)
Additional IEP Resources
- Colorado Accommodations Manual
- Secondary Transition
- IEP Frequently Asked Questions (English) (PDF)
- IEP Record Review Process Checklist (Word)
Contacts For More Information:
Kerry Whitmore
Director, General Supervision and Monitoring
Email Kerry Whitmore
Nick Smosna
Supervisor, General Supervision and Monitoring
Email Nick Smosna
Zack Van Sant
SPED Monitoring and Technical Assistance Consultant
Email Zack Van Sant
[[col3end]
Having trouble with this webpage?
If you have problems with broken links or accessing the content on this page, please contact the Exceptional Student Services Unit at ESSU@cde.state.co.us. Please copy the URL link for this page into the email when referencing the problem you are experiencing.
Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.
Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
Contact CDE
CDE Hours
Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also Licensing Hours
UPDATED
March 18, 2025
Copyright © 1999-2025 Colorado Department of Education.
All rights reserved.
Title IX.
Accessibility.
Disclaimer.
Privacy.
Connect With Us
