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

Guidance on Paraprofessional Qualifications

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

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Special Education Director Resources

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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 with the field. It is published once a month 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

Important Dates Coming Up

SY 2025-26 Special Education Directors Year at a Glance

March 2026

Mar 2

High-Cost Reimbursement Application Collection

Application due March 2 - Special Education Fiscal Advisory Committee (SEFAC)

April 2026

Ongoing

Ongoing Discipline Interchange (Indicator 4 & Sig. Dis. Pro.)

Window opened in March; Data for all students, feeds into the Student Discipline snapshot and the SPED Discipline snapshot  

Data Pipeline Interchanges: Discipline

Finalize MOU for Community Centered Boards (CCBs)

ESY team to plan/schedule for the ESY program

Resources- Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Plan for Annual Non-Public Schools Equitable Services consultation meeting

IDEA Part B Fiscal Resources - Proportionate Share guidance

Upcoming Technical Assistance and Professional Development

Special Education Trainings or Professional Development Opportunities

Save the Date for these Upcoming Events!  

2026 Colorado Special Education Law Conference

Join us for a one-day conference dedicated to exploring the latest legal developments and pressing issues affecting the education of students with disabilities. Designed for educators, administrators, advocates, legal professionals, and parents, the conference will highlight emerging trends, recent case law, and best practices to support students with disabilities in schools.  

April 10, 2026
Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows
10345 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124

Register for the 2026 Law Conference

Special Education Directors and Designees: Professional Learning Community

This virtual Professional Learning Community (PLC) is designed explicitly for current Special Education Directors of Record and their Designees to further develop leadership skills and foster collaboration with fellow directors. This learning opportunity is only open to individuals leading in a Colorado Administrative Unit (AU). 

The upcoming PLC sessions are on the following dates: 

• Monday, February 9, 9-10am
• Friday, March 13, 10-11am
• Monday, April 13, 9-10am
• Friday, May 8, 10-11am

Register for the Special Ed Directors’ PLC 

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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)
• 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

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

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 Julie Rottier-Lukens, at rottier-lukens_J@cde.state.co.us.

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

Find Your Special Education or Gifted Education Director

Find Your Special Education or Gifted Education Director

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Having trouble with this webpage?

If you have problems with broken links or accessing the content on this page, please contact the Exceptional Student Services Unit at ESSU@cde.state.co.us. Please copy the URL link for this page into the email when referencing the problem you are experiencing.