2026-2027 Academic Year
Colorado School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Colorado students, parents, and teachers.
CO · 2026-2027 Academic Year
Colorado School Calendar 2026-2027
School year dates, holidays, and breaks for Colorado students, parents, and teachers.
Quick Answer for Families
When does school start and end in Colorado for 2026-2027?
First Day
Aug 17, 2026
Use for back-to-school planning.
Last Day
May 28, 2027
May shift with make-up days.
Spring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Confirm with your local district.
District calendars can differ. Always verify final dates with your local school district before booking travel or childcare.
Printed planning copy: Colorado School Calendar 2026-2027
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source: https://www.dpsk12.org/calendars/
Before relying on this printed copy, confirm teacher workdays, early release days, and make-up day rules with your local district.
Colorado School Holidays 2026-2027
Sep 7, 2026
Nov 11, 2026
Nov 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026
Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Jan 18, 2027
Feb 15, 2027
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
May 31, 2027
At-a-glance timeline
Key Dates for Colorado School Year 2026-2027
Quick answers for first day, spring break 2027, last day, and required instruction time.
Aug-May
Starts Aug 17, 2026
Ends May 28, 2027
First Day
Aug 17, 2026
Spring Break
Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
Last Day
May 28, 2027
Instructional Days
160 days
Note: Denver Public Schools calendar available on dpsk12.org. Colorado requires 160 days or 1,056/1,080 hours. Districts set individual start dates. Verify with your local district.
Official source tracker
How to verify Colorado school calendar dates
Statewide school calendar pages are planning references. Local districts may publish different first day, break, holiday, teacher workday, and make-up day schedules, so final dates should be verified with the district that serves your address.
Use the official source as a planning reference, then confirm district-specific start dates and breaks.
About Colorado School Year 2026-2027
Colorado's public school system is administered by the Colorado Department of Education and serves students across approximately 180 school districts, from large urban systems like Denver Public Schools to small rural districts in the San Luis Valley and Eastern Plains. Colorado is distinctive in that it requires a minimum of 160 instructional days or 1,080 instructional hours per year — fewer days than the 180-day standard in many other states, though the hourly requirement ensures adequate instructional time. Most Colorado districts begin the academic year in mid-to-late August and conclude in late May. Colorado has a strong school choice environment, including open enrollment policies, a significant charter school sector, and online learning options. The state administers the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments in spring, covering English language arts, mathematics, and science, as well as the PSAT and SAT for high school students. Colorado's mountain communities present unique scheduling considerations: some districts in ski resort areas may adjust calendars around peak tourism seasons, and weather-related school closures are more common in high-elevation communities. The Denver metropolitan area encompasses numerous independent school districts with varying calendars. Families should always confirm specific dates with their local district, as break schedules, start dates, and professional development days can differ significantly across Colorado's geographically diverse regions.
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Official source (Colorado Department of Education)Related planning guides
Plan beyond the Colorado calendar
School Holidays 2026-2027
Compare Colorado school holidays with all states
Winter break: Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
Spring Break 2027
Find Colorado spring break context
Spring break: Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027
First Day of School 2026
Compare Colorado first day of school
First day: Aug 17, 2026
Official Sources
Check Colorado official source context
Source tracker and verification notes
Compare States
Compare Colorado with other states
First day, last day, breaks, and instruction time
Printable Planning
Print and annotate the Colorado calendar
Use the state page with your district calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
When does school start in Colorado for 2026-2027?
The Colorado school calendar lists Aug 17, 2026 as the planning reference for the first day of school in 2026. Local districts may approve different start dates, so confirm with your district calendar.
When is the last day of school in Colorado 2026-2027?
The last day of school for Colorado in the 2026-2027 school year is listed as May 28, 2027. The final date can move if a district adds weather or emergency make-up days.
When is winter break in Colorado for 2026-2027?
Winter Break in Colorado is listed as Dec 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. District calendars can still vary around teacher workdays, early release days, and local holidays.
When is Spring Break in Colorado 2027?
Spring Break in Colorado is listed as Mar 29, 2027 – Apr 2, 2027. Some districts may choose a different spring break week, especially in large metro areas.
When is Thanksgiving break in Colorado for 2026?
Thanksgiving Break in Colorado is listed as Nov 25, 2026 – Nov 27, 2026. Many districts close for Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, but local calendars should be verified.
How many school days are in Colorado for 2026-2027?
Colorado requires 160 days for the 2026-2027 school year.
Are Colorado school calendar dates the same in every district?
No. Colorado school calendar dates can vary by district because local boards approve their own calendars within state requirements. Use this page as a planning guide, then verify exact dates with your district.