Directors' Corner

In the State of Colorado, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) as defined in IDEA are called Administrative Units (AUs). Each AU is required to employ a Special Education Director of Record (ECEA Rule 3.01).

What's New

Public Placement Reimbursement Fund

The Office of Special Education is sharing an updated FAQ on the Public Placement Reimbursement Fund—formerly referred to as the “Ed Orphan Fund”—to ensure special education directors, out‑of‑district coordinators, and facility school directors have clear information about recent statutory changes enacted through SB26‑023. The FAQ outlines expanded eligibility, including reimbursement for out‑of‑state public placements made by DHS or the courts, clarifies criteria for qualifying students with IEPs, and explains why the fund is limited to public placements rather than IEP‑team placements. As noted in the attachment, the State Board of Education will conduct rulemaking this fall to establish the reimbursement process, and CDE anticipates that eligible 2026‑27 expenses will be reimbursed in fall 2027. For questions, please contact essu@cde.state.co.us with the subject line “Public Placement Reimbursement Fund.

Memo: Reimbursement Funding for Public Placements of Foster Youth with IEPs in Facilities (“Public Placement Reimbursement Fund”)(PDF) 

CDE Overview of Changes to the Rules Implementing the Protection of Students from Restraint and Seclusion Act

CDE Overview of Changes to the Rules Implementing the Protection of Students from Restraint and Seclusion Act May 2026 (PDF)

Expectations for Special Education Service Delivery During a Measles Outbreak

This document provides guidance to Colorado schools and administrative units (AU) on ensuring continuity of learning for students with individualized education programs (IEPs) who are quarantined, excluded, or otherwise unable to attend school during a potential measles outbreak.

Expectations for Special Education Service Delivery During a Measles Outbreak (PDF)

Guidance on Paraprofessional Qualifications

CDE Guidance on Paraprofessionals Serving IDEA-Eligible Students (PDF)

To find these resources and more: 

• Fiscal Management
• Standard Record Review Protocol (PDF)
• Standard Record Review Instructions (PDF)
• Guidance for Directors’ Regional Professional Learning (PDF)
• SY 2026-2027 Special Education DirectorsHandbook
• SY 2026-27 Special Education Directors Year at a Glance
• SY 2026-27 Director of Record Flow of the Year (PDF) 
  • SY 2026-27 Director of Record Flow of the Year (GoogleSheet)
• Newsletters, listserv and office hours
• ESSU Responsibility List
• CDE Office of Special Education Staff Contacts
• Office of Special Education Guidance & Technical Assistance Documents
• CDE News Bureau
• Comprehensive Plan Documents
  • Model Comprehensive Plan (Revised March 2015) (PDF)
  • Directions for Submitting Assurances and Comprehensive Plan (Au. 2015) (Doc)
  • Assurance Statement (August 2015) (Doc)

AU Special Education Director of Record and Fiscal Contact Information

ESSU must have current contact information for all state-level Special Education Directors and Special Education Fiscal Contacts. Our office communicates important updates and information through our listserv, please be sure that we have accurate, updated information. Communications from this listserv will come from CDE_SPED.

• AU Director of Record & SPED Fiscal Contact Form

ESSU Newsletter

The ESSU e-newsletter is our office's primary form of communication, published monthly and contains information from the Office of Gifted and Talented, Office of Facility Schools, and Office of Special Education.

• Newsletters, listserv and office hours
• ESSU Newsletter Sign-up
• Archived ESSU Newsletters

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Upcoming Technical Assistance and Professional Development

Special Education Trainings or Professional Development Opportunities

2026 Colorado Fall Directors’ Meeting 

September 3 - 4, 2026 in Westminster, CO

Registration is now open for the 2026 Colorado ESSU Fall Directors Meeting!

The Fall Meeting will be held at the Denver Marriott Westminster on September 3 & 4, 2026. Details on the agenda and session topics will be updated over the summer. The Directors’ Meeting website and registration are now hosted on the Sched platform. As part of the process, all attendees will need to create a Sched account. You’ll be guided through setting this up during registration—it only takes a minute! If you have any questions or need assistance, email us at ESSU@cde.state.co.us

We look forward to collaborating with you to support Colorado students!

Colorado Fall Directors' Meeting Event and Registration Details 

Office of Special Education Events & Calendar

Learn more about other events or trainings hosted by the office of Special Education. 

Office of Special Education Events and Calendar

On-Demand Special Education Trainings

Check out the library of on-demand resources that you can view and participate in at any time.

Additional Educator Resources

Office of Special Education - Educator Resources

Additional professional development and resources addressing the needs of specific disabilities are available through the Office of Special Education.

Online Free Professional Development Option for Colorado Educators (PDF)

Federal and State Guidance 

Federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

• OSERS FAQ: The Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Charter Schools under the IDEA (PDF)
• OCR FAQ: The Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Charter Schools under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PDF)
• K - 12 Resources for Afghan Evacuees, January 2022 (PDF)

Colorado State

• Colorado General Assembly
• Adoption of Extended Part C Option for Colorado, April 2022 (PDF)
• Expectations for Special Education Service Delivery During a Measles Outbreak (PDF)
• May 2025 ECEA Rule Change: Child Identification Obligations for CDEC Enrolled Children
• Overview of ECEA Rule Changes Final - May 2025
• Revised Guidance for HB 22-1260 – Access to Medically Necessary Services – January 2025 (PDF)
• Memorandum Regarding State Complaint Procedures (PDF)
• Abbreviated School Day Resources:
  • Abbreviated School Day Data Fields Webinar: October 2025 Slides (PDF)
  • Abbreviated School Day Data Fields Webinar: October 2025 Recording
  • CDE Abbreviated School Day Model Policy PDF
  • CDE Abbreviated School Day Model Policy Assurance Document PDF
  • CDE Abbreviated School Day Model Policy Assurance Document (Print Only)
    ​Note: This form is intended to be printed, completed by hand, and returned as a hard copy. Because it is designed for physical use rather than digital interaction, some elements may not meet full digital accessibility standards. If you need assistance completing this form or would like to request an alternative format, please contact Amber Pryor, 720-921-1281.
  • CDE Abbreviated School Day Model Policy Webinar
  • CDE Abbreviated School Day Model Policy Webinar PPT
• OSEP Required Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Prop Share
• CDE Guidance on Paraprofessionals Serving IDEA-Eligible Students (PDF)

Special Education Guidance and Technical Assistance

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Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP)

• Special Education and Educational Surrogate Parents - Technical Assistance and Training Manual 2023 (PDF)
• Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Guidance Memo, June 2018 (PDF)
• Update on Educational Surrogate Parent and Counsel for Youth Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Assignment of an ESP Form (PDF)
  • Mail form to:
    • Colorado Dept. of Education
      Office of Special Education
      4th Floor
      201 E. Colfax Avenue
      Denver, CO 80203
  • Submit form via FAX to:
    • 303-866-6767

Interested in Serving as an ESP? 

Contact Sherrell Bethel, Parent Training & Information Director
sbethel@peakparent.org

Address Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) questions to:

Katherine Rains
Rains_k@cde.state.co.us

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New Administrative Unit or Reorganization Application and Checklist

Administrative units or member school districts of administrative units desiring to form new or reorganized administrative units must apply to the State Director of Special Education and, if applicable, the AU of which the district is currently a member pursuant to the timelines set forth by ECEA Rule 3.01(3). 

• New or Reorganization AU Application (Word Doc)
• Fact Sheet - Applications for or Reorganized Administrative Units (PDF)
• Instructions for Third Party Report (PDF)
• Additional Information from Existing Administrative Unit

For additional information, please contact AU_ReOrganization@cde.state.co.us.

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Supporting Displaced Special Education Students

There are many ways that children and families can be displaced. There are floods, fires, and other types of natural disasters that can destroy homes or make them uninhabitable for periods of time. Families can also experience hardships that result in major home life changes.

• Supporting Displaced Students: Special Education

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Find Your Special Education or Gifted Education Director

Find Your Special Education or Gifted Education Director

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