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At-Risk Count
Summary
Each year all public school districts across the state of Colorado participate in the Student October Count data submission to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The purpose of this data collection is to obtain required student level data as provided for by state statute, including information regarding students’ funding eligibility and lunch eligibility (“Free,” “Reduced,” or “Paid”) as outlined in the Public School Finance Act (Section 22-54-101, C.R.S.). The Colorado Department of Education collects these data through the Data Pipeline with the Information Management Services (IMS) unit of CDE overseeing the collection.
In an effort to ensure accurate reporting of those data fields associated with student and at-risk funding, the School Auditing Office of the School Finance Unit for the Colorado Department of Education conducts periodic compliance audits of each district’s student October count data, including a review of documentation to support free and reduced-price lunch eligibility.
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At-Risk Status vs. Free/Reduced Lunch Price Eligible Fields
- For the 2026/2027 Student October data collection, at-risk counts and subsequent funding will be sourced from the new “At Risk Status” field in the Student Demographic File. This value may or may not be the same as the student’s reported value in the “Free/Reduced Lunch Price Eligible” field.
- For details about this new field, see the recorded training on the School Auditing Office’s Training and Office Hours webpage. For support and one-on-one consultations regarding the at-risk count and reporting, reach out to armeasure@cde.state.co.us.
Census Block Interchange Resources
The data collection formerly known as the At-Risk Interchange has officially been paused beginning with the 2026/2027 school year. For additional information visit the Data Pipeline Census Block Interchange website.
Important Dates
- Calendar of Important Dates & Deadlines
- Count Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
- Upcoming At-Risk Count Webinars & Office Hours
Annual Audit Review
Beginning with the 2024 Student October Count data collection, the School Auditing Office is changing its approach to the required compliance audits. Refer to the following documents for more information:
Forms & Other Resources
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Disclaimer
Some forms recommended by the School Auditing Office may contain personally identifiable information of students and districts should take additional precautions. Local education agencies must use secure means when sending Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to CDE. If transferring PII between districts, schools, or with other parties, CDE strongly recommends that districts use a secure method of transferring PII between districts, schools, or with other parties (for example, a secure file sharing tool like Syncplicity, or including the PII in a password-protected document). For more information, please visit the Data Privacy and Security website or contact CDE’s Data Privacy Office.
Audit Documentation
Family Economic Data Survey (FEDS)
- Family Economic Data Survey (FEDS) for 2026-2027 - English (PDF)
- Family Economic Data Survey (FEDS) for 2026-2027 - Spanish (PDF)
- Family Economic Data Survey (FEDS) Family Friendly 2026-2027 Instructions - English (PDF)
- Family Economic Data Survey (FEDS) Family Friendly 2026-2027 Instructions - Spanish (PDF)
- 2026-2027 FEDS Determining Official Processing Instructions (PDF)
Internal CDE Resources
For more information about the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, please visit the Office of School Nutrition's Determine Program Eligibility website.