IEP Timelines in Colorado
What are the IEP timelines in Colorado?
Colorado has several timeline requirements that differ from or supplement the federal IDEA baseline. The most important: initial evaluation timeline is 60 calendar days from parental consent for evaluation (specifically, from AU initiation of the special education referral when parental consent is received) (1 CCR 301-8, §4.02(3)(c)). The initial IEP must be developed within 90 calendar days of parental consent for the initial evaluation (§4.03(1)(d)(i)). Annual IEP reviews are measured in calendar days (365), not school years. Transition planning begins at age 15 (not 16 as in the federal baseline). Colorado's educational age of majority is 21 — the rights-transfer notification must begin at age 20, not at age 17 as in states with 18-year-old majority. Due process timelines: 15-calendar-day resolution meeting, 30-calendar-day resolution period, and 45-calendar-day decision deadline. State complaint resolution is 60 calendar days. IEP meeting to determine eligibility must occur within 30 calendar days after the evaluation is complete.
What Colorado Requires
Initial evaluation: 60 calendar days from parental consent for evaluation (from AU initiation of the special education referral when parental consent is received) — Colorado-specific timeline (1 CCR 301-8, §4.02(3)(c)).
Initial IEP development: 90 calendar days from parental consent for initial evaluation (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(1)(d)(i)).
Annual IEP review: at minimum every 365 calendar days (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(3)).
Transition planning: must begin with the first IEP at age 15, or no later than the end of 9th grade — earlier than the federal minimum of age 16 (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(d)(i)).
Age of majority: 21; rights-transfer notification must begin one year before age 21 (at age 20) — not at age 17 as in states with an 18-year-old majority (1 CCR 301-8, §§4.03(6)(e), 6.02(9)).
Due process: resolution meeting within 15 calendar days; resolution period 30 calendar days; final decision within 45 calendar days of resolution period expiration (1 CCR 301-8, §6.02(7.5)(d)-(e)).
Key Timelines
Initial evaluation: 60 calendar days from parental consent for evaluation (1 CCR 301-8, §4.02(3)(c)).
IEP meeting for eligibility determination: within 30 calendar days of evaluation completion (34 CFR 300.306(c)(1)(ii)).
Initial IEP: 90 calendar days from parental consent for initial evaluation (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(1)(d)(i)).
Annual IEP review: every 365 calendar days (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(3)).
Triennial reevaluation: at least every 3 years (34 CFR 300.303).
Transition planning: begins at age 15 or end of 9th grade (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(d)(i)).
Rights-transfer notification: begins at age 20 (one year before age 21) (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(e)).
State complaint resolution: 60 calendar days (34 CFR 300.152(a)).
Due process resolution meeting: 15 calendar days; resolution period: 30 calendar days; final decision: 45 calendar days after resolution period (1 CCR 301-8, §6.02(7.5)(d)-(e)).