Laws and Regulations

H.B. (House Bill) 08-1204

House Bill 08-1204 created the Office of Facility Schools within the Colorado Department of Education and established the Colorado Facility Schools Board.

• The Act (PDF)
• Rules for the Administration of the Facility Schools Act 1 CCR 304-1 (PDF)

Approval of Facility Schools

In accordance with the Facility Schools Act. HB 08-1204 [22-2-407 C.R.S.] and Facility Schools Board Rules, 1 CCR 304-1, any eligible facility may apply to the Colorado Facility Schools Board to become an Approved Facility School.

• Facility Schools Approval Process Guidance (Word)
• Interagency Resource Guide to Become an Approved Facility School -(PDF)

Graduation Requirements for Approved Facility Schools

The Facility Schools Act of 2008 [22-2-401 C.R.S.] gives the Facility Schools Board the authority to award high school diplomas to students receiving their educational services through approved facility schools. It directs the Facility Schools Board to establish procedures by which a student will apply to receive a high school diploma and the requirements that a student must meet in order to be awarded such a diploma by the Facility Schools Board.

• Office of Facility Schools Graduation Guidance Document
• Graduation Application
• Independent Living Checklist

H.B. (House Bill) 10-1274

H.B. 10-1274 (22-2-139 C.R.S. and 22-2-409 C.R.S.) requires approved facility schools to notify receiving school districts when students who have been determined to be at risk to self or community within the prior 12 months, will be leaving the facility and returning to the public schools.

It also requires a transition planning process for those students, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Human Services and data collection related to the transition of students under this legislation.

• HB 10-1274: The Act (PDF)
• HB 10-1274: Memo of Understanding (Under Revision)
• HB 10-1274: Guidance Document (PDF)
• HB 10-1274: Sample Information Sharing Document (DOC)
• HB 10-1274: Sample Transition Plan (DOC)
• HB 10-1274: Notification/Invitation Form (XLS)

Senate Bill 23-219

Senate Bill 23-219 – Concerning services to support students eligible to enroll in Facility Schools.

• The Act (PDF)

If you need an alternate version of the Word or Excel documents, please contact Lori Kochevar 303-866-6799

A directory of current Child Welfare Education Liaisons (CWELs) may be found using the following link:

• Child Welfare Education Liaisons (CWEL)

Exceptional Children's Education Act (ECEA)

• ECEA Rules

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

• IEP Forms

Independent National Accreditation 

• Approved Independent National Accreditation organizations 

The Facility Schools Board is required to approve a list of recognized independent national accreditation organizations, applicable for facility schools, per Senate Bill 23-219. School districts and administrative units are required to first consider out of district placements for their students in approved facility schools and eligible facilities that are accredited by an entity on the list, prior to placing a student in a facility without an accredited school. Placement in an unaccredited school shall be considered last and only in the best interest of the student. 

For questions, please contact Wendy Dunaway, dunaway_w@cde.state.co.us