IEP Transition Services in Colorado
When does IEP transition planning start in Colorado?
Colorado requires transition planning to begin with the first IEP developed when the child is age 15, but no later than the end of 9th grade, or earlier if deemed appropriate by the IEP Team (1 CCR 301-8, ECEA Rules §4.03(6)(d)(i)). This is a Colorado-specific rule — the federal baseline requires transition by age 16. Transition services are defined in ECEA Rules §2.52 as a coordinated set of activities focused on improving academic and functional achievement to facilitate movement from school to postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, and community participation. The IEP for transition-age students must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments covering training/education, employment, and where appropriate independent living, and must specify the transition services needed to achieve those goals including the course of study (§4.03(6)(d)(ii)-(iii)). Colorado's age of majority for educational purposes is 21 — not 18 as in most states (ECEA Rules §6.02(9); C.R.S. §22-20-108). Beginning one year before a student turns 21 (i.e., at age 20), the IEP must include a statement that the student has been informed of the IDEA rights that transfer at age 21. This is a critical Colorado distinction: the rights-transfer statement must begin at age 20 (not age 17 as in states with an 18-year-old age of majority).
What Colorado Requires
Transition planning must begin with the first IEP when the child is age 15, but no later than the end of 9th grade, or earlier if deemed appropriate by the IEP Team — this is earlier than the federal minimum of age 16 (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(d)(i)).
The transition IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments addressing training or education, employment, and where appropriate independent living skills (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(d)(ii)).
The IEP must include the transition services, including the course of study, needed to reach the student's postsecondary goals (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(d)(iii)).
Colorado's age of majority for educational purposes is 21 — parental rights do not transfer until age 21, unlike the federal default of 18 (1 CCR 301-8, §6.02(9); C.R.S. §§22-20-108, 13-22-101).
Beginning one year before age 21 (at age 20), the IEP must include a statement that the student has been informed of the IDEA rights that transfer to the student at age 21 (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(e)).
Key Timelines
Transition planning must begin no later than the first IEP when the student is age 15 or the end of 9th grade, whichever comes first (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(d)(i)).
Beginning at age 20 (one year before age 21), the IEP must notify the student of rights transferring at majority (1 CCR 301-8, §4.03(6)(e)).
FAPE continues until the student turns 21, or completes the semester in which they turn 21 (1 CCR 301-8, §2.09; C.R.S. §22-20-103).