Office of Online and Blended Learning

About Us

The Office of Online & Blended Learning (OBL) serves and supports online schools, programs, students, parents/guardians, authorizers, other related entities, and individuals related to K-12 Online & Blended Learning in Colorado. We are committed to providing information to all interested parties and stakeholders, as well as supporting the responsible growth of blended and online learning. The Office of Online & Blended Learning began duties October 1, 2007 under Senate Bill 215 legislation (§ 22-30.7-101-113, C.R.S.). Our purposes are:

• To support Online Schools, Programs, Students, Parents, Authorizers, and other entities related to Online Learning;
• To facilitate the certification of Multi-District Online Schools; 
• To support with quality implementation of online programs and online schools. 

News & Updates 

School Finance Rules Updates

As a result of the Blended Learning Initiative started in 2021, CDE anticipates engaging the rulemaking process in December 2023 with the Colorado State Board of Education to make updates in the School Finance Rules to allow for further educational flexibilities. The proposed draft updates to the rules are posted under the Public School Finance Act section on the School Finance page: https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance. 

Authorizer Assurances Updates

Please contact OBL at OnlineLearning@cde.state.co.us as soon as possible if needing to make any documentation or policy changes to originally submitted authorizer assurances for Multi-District and Single District Online Schools and Programs. More information about Authorizer Assurances is on the Online and Blended Learning Resources page: https://www.cde.state.co.us/onlinelearning/resources. 

Online School Information

Colorado families seeking information about the online schools and programs available for Colorado K-12 students, please visit the Multi-District and Single District Online Schools and Programs List page: https://www.cde.state.co.us/onlinelearning/schools. Families are encouraged to contact the schools they are interested in directly for further information about enrollment processes, student services, and any other questions. 

2022 District and School Performance Frameworks

CDE's Office for Accountability and Continuous Improvement released the annual frameworks outlining performance ratings used for the State Board of Education and CDE to help struggling Colorado schools. Information about state accountability and the frameworks, including for online schools, is on the District and School Performance Frameworks page: https://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability/performanceframeworks.