DENVER (KDVR) — Sharpen those pencils, because it’s time to prepare for the impending Colorado school season, with most school districts starting sometime in August.
Despite the continuing heat and summer-like weather, students are heading back to school for another year of learning. For some, they will see changes at school: A law enacted this year will require all districts to enact a cellphone policy by July 2026, although some districts, such as Boulder Valley, already have policies.
Another law will impact motorists: Drivers must stop for school buses with flashing red lights even in the oncoming lane of traffic, unless there is a physical barrier between you and the bus. Previously, the law stipulated that if there was a painted line or painted median between the oncoming lane and the school bus, you were OK to continue traveling.
Colorado school starting dates 2025-2026
Here’s when some of the school districts start:
School districtStart dateAcademy District 20Tuesday, Aug. 12: Elementary, grades 6, 9
Wednesday, Aug. 14: All students, preschoolAdams County School District 14Monday, Aug. 6: All gradesAdams 12 Five Star SchoolsTuesday, Aug. 12: All gradesAspen School DistrictMonday, Aug. 12: Grades 9 through 12
Tuesday, Aug. 13: Grades K through 8Aurora Public SchoolsWednesday, Aug. 6: Grades 1-12
Tuesday, Aug. 12: Kindergarten, preschoolBoulder Valley School DistrictWednesday, Aug. 13: Grades 1-6, 9
Thursday, Aug. 14: Grades 7, 8, 10-12
Aug. 13-15: Preschool and Kindergarten welcome daysCherry Creek School District No. 5Monday, Aug. 11: Grades 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Tuesday, Aug. 12: Grades 1, 2, 6
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Pre-K through 5, all students in 6-8
High school schedules vary per schoolColorado Springs Schools District 11Tuesday, Aug. 12: Jump start for Kindergarten, 6 and 9
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Grades 1-5, 7, 8, 11 and 12Denver Public SchoolsMonday, Aug. 18: K-12
Tuesday, Aug. 19: Early Childhood EducationDouglas County School District RE-1Wednesday, Aug. 13Eagle County School District Re-50JMonday, Aug. 18Englewood SchoolsWednesday, Aug. 13Greeley-Evans School District 6Monday, Aug. 11: Grades 1-12
Thursday, Aug. 14: Preschool and kindergartenJeffco Public SchoolsTuesday, Aug. 19Littleton Public SchoolsTuesday, Aug. 12Mesa County Valley School District 51Wednesday, Aug. 6Poudre School DistrictWednesday, Aug. 13: Transition day for grades 6, 9
Thursday, Aug. 14: All studentsPueblo School District 60Monday, Aug. 18: Transition day K-12
Tuesday, Aug. 19: All studentsSchool District 49 (Falcon)Thursday, Aug. 4Steamboat Springs School DistrictMonday, Aug. 18: Grades 6, 9
Tuesday, Aug. 19: All studentsSt. Vrain Valley SchoolsTuesday, Aug. 13: Grades 1-6, 9
Wednesday, Aug. 14: Grades 7-8, 10-12Weld RE-4 School DistrictTuesday, Aug. 13: Kindergarten, 6 and 9
Wednesday, Aug. 14: Grades 1-5, 7-8, 10-12
Monday, Aug. 25: PreschoolWeld RE5JFriday, Aug. 8: Grades 6 and 9 orientation
Monday, Aug. 11: Grades 1-12
Wednesday, Aug. 13: KindergartenWeld Re-8 School DistrictMonday, Aug. 11: Half-day orientation for grades Kindergarten, 6,9
Tuesday, Aug. 12: 1-12
Monday, Aug. 18: Pre-kindergartenWestminster Public SchoolsWednesday, Aug. 13: K-1227J Schools (Brighton)Wednesday, Aug. 20: 6 and 9 orientation
Thursday, Aug. 21: K-12
For some students, the school year has already begun. But for others, there are only days or weeks until they’re waiting for the bus and opening their notebooks at school.
If your school district was not included on this list, starting dates can be found by searching your district or school for its calendar.
