History of Homeschooling
in Colorado

Colorado is considered to be one of the top 10 most dangerous states in which to homeschool. Families face truancy charges and are forced to develop escape plans or even flee after facing threats from antagonistic school districts. The Home School Legal Defense Association fights many battles in court on behalf of Colorado homeschool families.

Colorado holds its first Homeschool Conference with just under 100 attendees.

Two Colorado homeschool moms lead a fledgling group of homeschool parents in crafting a bill that would establish homeschool freedom. Their first attempt fails due to stiff opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Colorado’s first Homeschool Law passes both houses and becomes law on May 10, 1988. (Learn more about the history of homeschool law in Colorado here.)

Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) forms when several homeschool groups band together. • CHEC publishes its first newsletter, Pathlight. • CHEC sponsors the Colorado Homeschool Conference. • CHEC hires its first executive director.

The CHEC Homeschool Conference grows out of all previous church facilities and moves to the Holiday Inn Conference and Events Center

CHEC moves operations into a Denver office building. • A part-time office manager works in the office and handles thousands of phone calls, large volumes of mail, and prolific volunteer efforts. • The CHEC Homeschool Conference expands to three days and attendance increases to 4,000. • In response to the national battle for parent-led homeschooling, CHEC sponsors the first Colorado Homeschool Day at the Capitol event. • HSLDA, CHEC, and CPC (Concerned Parents of Colorado) work together to pass Senate Bill 94-4, updating and improving the original homeschool law from 1988 and opening the door for parent-directed grade levels and expanded evaluation options.

The CHEC Guidebook, 1st Edition, is released. • CHEC introduces its new, free magazine, The Homeschool Update, to inform and encourage families as they disciple their children.

CHEC launches its first website at www.chec.org.

CHEC introduces the Homeschool Introductory Workshops for parents.

CHEC sponsors its first speech/debate workshop. • The CHEC database tops 12,000 names. • CHEC hosts monthly Homeschool Introductory Workshops.

The CHEC Office moves to Parker. • Homeschoolers rally together to defeat an intrusive piece of legislation aimed directly at homeschooling; instead, Senate Bill 186 is passed and expands homeschool freedom and recognition throughout Colorado.

CHEC launches the CHEC Independent School with 100 families.

CHEC sponsors the Generations Radio Program, running on a weekly basis and hosted by Kevin Swanson, at that time the executive director of CHEC. • The first Colorado Father Son Retreat is co-hosted by CHEC at Crooked Creek Ranch.

CHEC Family Books and Resources, CHEC’s own bookstore, opens its doors at the Parker CHEC Office location.

CHEC’s Homeschool Conference moves to the Denver Merchandise Mart. • The Generations Radio Program goes daily.

The Generations Radio Program tops 150,000 downloads a year and becomes a separate ministry under CHEC as Generations with Vision. • The AME (Apprenticeship, Mentorship, and Entrepreneurship) Program launches.

CHEC joins Facebook.

Generations launches Christian Family Eldercare.

CHEC hires a second-generation homeschooler as executive director. • The CHEC Independent School opens an online enrollment system.

CHEC completes a full rebranding with a new logo and look; a new CHEC.org and RockyMountainHomeschoolConference.com are launched to become the go-to site for information regarding home education in Colorado. • The CHEC office expands to include a team of staff working from their homes around the state and beyond.

CHEC hosts its first Homeschool Leadership Retreat at the Glen Eyrie Castle and Conference Center. • CHEC hires its first homeschool legislative liaison.

CHEC hosts its first Ladies’ Encouragement Day. • The fully revised and updated edition of The Homeschool Guidebook for Colorado is released in softcover format. • Together with Generations, CHEC launches HomeschoolSummits.com and hosts two worldwide online events, the Homeschool Curriculum Summit and the Homeschool Teaching Summit.

CHEC publishes US & Colorado Civics, a K12 civics and history curriculum for homeschooling families.

ColoradoHomeschool.com is launched, featuring a free video course educating families on how to homeschool in Colorado. • The CHEC Homeschool Conference moves to the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center.

CHEC doubles our online events at HomeschoolSummits.com in response to COVID-19 lockdowns and an increased need for homeschool training and encouragement. • The CHEC Independent School grows by 40%. •  CHEC sent a postcard to 280,000 households with young children to promote Christian home education.

CHEC launches the Mentor Mom Program as a benefit of the CHEC Independent School.

• CHEC hires Outreach Director 
• CHEC hosts back to back father son retreats for the first time
• 35th Anniversary of Colorado Homeschool law 

• Whistle Stop Tours
• Homeschool Day at the Capitol 30th anniversary
• Move to new office in Elizabeth + Generations warehouse
• Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference moves to the Denver Marriott Tech Center
• CHEC leads the way in a nationwide homeschool survey for NHERI 

• CHEC Launched The Colorado Homeschool Podcast
• 40th anniversary of the Homeschool Conference in Colorado
• Hire Operations Director