CDE Blank Default Post - When There Are No Closures or Notices
.
School Auditing Office: Pupil Count
Summary
Each year all public school districts and facilities 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 as outlined in the Public School Finance Act of 1994, as amended (22-54-101, C.R.S.). The Colorado Department of Education collects these data through the Data Pipeline system with the Information Management Services (IMS) unit of CDE overseeing the collection.
The Student October Count is based on a one (1) day membership count in which districts are asked to report all students who are actively enrolled and attending classes through their district on that date. While the submission should only include those students who meet the membership and scheduling requirements as of the pupil enrollment count day, the actual submission process begins in September and closes mid-November. Districts should refer to the Student October Count data submission documentation distributed by the IMS unit at CDE for further information regarding the actual submission process and data element definitions.
Annual Audit Review Resources
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:
- Annual Audit Review Process (PDF) NEW 07/01/2025
- Pupil Count Audit Questionnaire AUD-110 Form (DOC) NEW!
Duplicate Count
Supplemental Resources
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, districts might use a secure file sharing tool like Syncplicity, or include 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 Forms (Required)
- Detention Center Notification (AUD-101 Form) (DOC)
- Compliance Assurances for Contracted Services (AUD-108 Form) (DOC)
- Confirmation of Part-Time Funding Eligibility Form (AUD-109 Form) (DOC)
Audit Forms and Processes (Optional)
- Instructions for Applying for an Alternative Count Date (PDF) UPDATED 7/2025!
- Brick-and-Mortar Affidavit of Colorado Residency Sample (PDF) UPDATED 7/2025!
- Instructions for Applying for Alternative Attendance for Independent Study Courses (PDF)
- Pupil Count Document Checklist (PDF) UPDATED 7/2025!
- Online Signature Guidance (PDF)
Prior Audit Resource Guides
Internal CDE Resources
- Approved Facilities List
- Online Schools and Programs List
- Online Authorizer Assurance Form
- Online Affidavit of Colorado Residency (Proof of Residency)
- ASCENT Program Information and Requirements
- Concurrent Enrollment Program Information and Requirements
- Data Pipeline Student October Snapshot
- Gifted and Talented Programs
- Gifted and Talented Advanced Learning Plan Handbook (PDF)
- Information about Individual Education Programs (IEPs)
Rules
- Rules for the Administration of Colorado Online Programs (PDF)
- Rules for the Administration of the Public School Finance Act of 1994 (PDF)