by Renée Gotcher

If you’re a new homeschooler or a curious observer wondering how to get started, it’s a given that you can now hop online and find a cornucopia of homeschool organizations, local homeschool groups, programs, and resource providers ready to take your hand and guide you on your first steps down the homeschooling path.

However, those of us who have a personal history with the rise of homeschooling over the past four decades know that today’s homeschoolers — experiencing a flourishing market of homeschool resources and support — are benefiting from the efforts of pioneering homeschool families who laid the groundwork back when the landscape was challenging and unsupportive.

When I was homeschooled in California in the late 1980s, my family had limited access to a homeschool community and resources. We didn’t know it at the time, but a fledgling Christian homeschool support organization in our state was just starting to hold events and provide resources, tools, and, most importantly, encouragement to a growing number of homeschooling families.

Meanwhile, a similar situation was taking place in Colorado, where homeschooling became legal in 1988. What started as a few homeschool support groups banding together led to the formation of The Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) in 1990. In 2002, CHEC’s vision for homeschooling was formalized: to encourage families to honor Christ and embrace home discipleship that is Christ centered, parent directed, and free from government control.

Since that time, the number of families homeschooling in Colorado has skyrocketed: A spring 2022 NHERI study estimated that 47,444 to 57,988 students were being homeschooled.¹ As more options for resources, services, and support have emerged to meet the growing need, CHEC has also broadened its offerings while maintaining its primary mission: to motivate parents to disciple the next generation of Christians, impacting our state and beyond for Christ and His Kingdom, by providing information, leadership, and resources. 

As much as CHEC and the homeschooling landscape have expanded over the past 35 years, many homeschooling Coloradans may not be aware of its place in the broader context of homeschooling in our state. You might be wondering: 

• How does CHEC meet this mission? 
• Do families pay a membership fee to join CHEC? 
• Does CHEC provide programs, services, curriculum, testing, or community events? 
• What else does CHEC do for homeschoolers?

Let’s go behind the scenes and learn four essential facts about CHEC that you may not know.

Fact #1: CHEC is a private, donor-driven organization that supports homeschooling families in Colorado and beyond for FREE

While there are many forms of homeschool support that one can join, CHEC is not a membership-driven organization. Primarily funded by donations, CHEC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and does not receive government funding.

Although CHEC offers some events, literature, and tools for purchase, the revenue generated supports CHEC’s various funds, which allows CHEC to provide FREE information, leadership, and resources to equip families to educate their children for the glory of God. 

Private donors contribute to CHEC’s General Fund or can direct funds to be used for a specific purpose, such as:

• The Homeschool Outreach Fund
• Colorado Homeschool Freedom Fund
• Homeschool Crisis Relief Fund
• Struggling Learners Fund
• Casterline Single Moms Fund 

Because enrolling in an independent school is a legal homeschooling option in Colorado, CHEC also created the CHEC Independent School to meet the needs of families who choose this route. The CHEC Independent School is an umbrella school that partners with parents across Colorado to provide private education at home, offering a secure, private, and flexible option. 

To participate in the CHEC Independent School, families must enroll and pay an annual fee. And while CHEC believes in the independent school option, you do not have to join the independent school to utilize CHEC’s additional support, such as CHEC online resources, in-person events, and phone support.

Fact #2: The Colorado Homeschool Freedom Team works year-round to protect homeschool freedom, parental rights, and religious liberty

Although the Colorado legislative session is only 120 days long each year, CHEC Director of Government Relations Colleen Enos and the Colorado Homeschool Freedom team remain active throughout the year. The Colorado Homeschool Freedom (CHF) Fund enables all of CHEC’s legislative work, including funding the staff position of our Director of Government Relations and activities that are essential for keeping you informed and engaged as we stand together for freedom.

What does the CHF Team do? Led by Director of Government Relations Colleen Enos, the CHF Team also includes a prayer team and informed individuals who take action when called upon to do so (such as Day at the Capitol and Meet Your Legislator Day), and support all of these efforts through their donations, as well as CHEC staff members who support these legislative efforts.

Colleen works faithfully throughout the year to examine hundreds of bills, communicate graciously with legislators in personal meetings, prepare regular prayer reports to keep Colorado families informed, post Legislative Updates twice a month, explain legislation to homeschool groups around the state, monitor new regulations and initiatives in Colorado, engage with media through interviews, podcasts, and articles, and much more.

The CHF Fund also makes it possible for the CHEC staff to maintain smooth communication through various channels, including our CHEC website, blog, email newsletters, phone calls, social media posts, and many more. This behind-the-scenes work keeps you, and thousands of other homeschool-freedom-loving families, informed on things that matter — equipping you to take action when needed.

Fact #3: CHEC’s reach extends beyond the borders of Colorado

CHEC has expanded its activities beyond serving homeschooling families in Colorado. Through training conferences and seminars, publications and resources, legislative efforts, and online events, CHEC can now reach families worldwide. The information, leadership, and resources provided by CHEC are available no matter where you live or where you are in your homeschooling journey.

Today, CHEC continues to carry out its vision through online and in-person events, resources, and support. Here are some of the many ways CHEC reaches homeschoolers across the state and beyond:

• In-Person:
  • The Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
  • Introduction to Homeschooling and High School & Beyond in-person seminars
  • Family events such as the Spelling Bee, Colorado Father Son Retreat, and Refresh Ladies Conference
  • Local events for homeschool group leaders
  • Colorado Homeschool Graduation Ceremonies
  • Homeschool Day at the Capitol
• Online, on the phone, in print, and behind the scenes:
  • Homeschool Summits online events
  • Resources and support for homeschool group leaders
  • Five-day-a-week phone service
  • CHEC.org informational website
  • The CHEC Blog, featuring weekly posts
  • The free Homeschool Update magazine
  • The CHEC Independent School umbrella school
  • Our sister ministry (Generations.org)
  • Our legislative activity (funded by the Colorado Homeschool Freedom Fund)

Fact #4: Although CHEC’s focus is to equip families to homeschool, its mission and vision extend beyond homeschool support

CHEC’s leaders envision families honoring Jesus Christ by embracing home discipleship that is Christ centered, parent directed, and free from government control. However, that vision also extends beyond the realm of homeschooling. CHEC’s overall mission is to motivate parents to disciple the next generation of Christians, impacting families in Colorado and beyond for Christ and His Kingdom, by providing information, leadership, and resources available to all.

This mission is accomplished through:

• Information: CHEC conferences and activities unify a Christian worldview for parents, children, volunteers, and staff alike to render every thought, word, and action captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.
• Leadership: CHEC’s leadership and staff encourage parents to honor the triune God by integrating faith and learning into all facets of home discipleship, using the Bible as our starting point, and adhering to biblical principles that guide family, church, and state.
• Resources: CHEC’s representatives, media, and programs help families guide their children to become competent Christian leaders in the years to come.

An expanding mission field

The burgeoning homeschooling landscape has also opened doors for Christian organizations like CHEC to reach families outside of church walls with the gospel of Christ and a vision for home discipleship, not just homeschooling. God’s faithfulness through the years of homeschool freedom in Colorado has given CHEC the ability to invest in the lives of families, helping them disciple their children to know and serve Jesus Christ. 

Whether you knew it or not, CHEC’s role in protecting homeschool freedom and helping parents homeschool with confidence has influenced the homeschooling experience you have today. Maybe CHEC has played a direct role in helping you homeschool, or perhaps you’ve never tapped into any of the resources CHEC has to offer. Either way, you can be confident that CHEC is here for you and your family no matter what season you’re in!

CHEC also recognizes that you are the hero of an untold story, because you chose to homeschool! Would you consider sharing your homeschool story to encourage other homeschooling families like yours to stay the course?

Your Homeschooling Friend, Renée Gotcher

What were you most surprised to learn about CHEC? What else would you like to know about the role CHEC plays in protecting homeschool freedom and coming alongside homeschool families in Colorado? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

About the Author: Renée Gotcher

Renée Gotcher is a freelance writer, editor, and recently “retired” homeschooling mother of three daughters. Renée and her husband of 30 years, Kenny, are next-generation homeschoolers who were homeschooled in the late 1980s and began homeschooling in 2010. Soon after, Renée launched a homeschooling blog, NextGenHomeschool.com, and actively supported the local homeschool community through various leadership roles for 14 years. She recently contributed to the book “Life Changing Stories: A Devotional Collection Revealing God’s Faithfulness and Transforming Power” and writes monthly devotionals for the Daybreak Devotions series on Crossmap.com and her personal blog, The Pace of Grace.