Colorado requires financial literacy education for public school students, with mandates effective since 2020. The state has 58 financial literacy standards spanning 16 topic areas, covering grades 9-12.

Last updated: March 2026

58 Standards
16 Topic Areas
required Mandate Status
9-12 Grade Levels

Does Colorado Require Financial Literacy Education?

Yes. Colorado requires financial literacy instruction for public school students. Colorado requires personal financial literacy education as part of the high school graduation requirements. Senate Bill 19-188 mandated a 0.5 credit financial literacy course for high school students, effective with students entering 9th grade in the 2020-2021 school year.

Mandate Details

Status
required
Effective Year
2020
Standalone Course
Yes
Grade Levels
9-12
Legislation
HB 25-1192 (2025-08-06)
HB 21-1200 (2021-06-22)

Key Agencies

Colorado Department of Education and Literacy (CDE&L)
Oversees state education standards and provides curriculum guidance; does not manage textbook adoption
Colorado School Finance Project
Provides resources and advocacy related to school finance and procurement
Colorado State Purchasing & Contracts Office
Administers state purchasing portal and cooperative purchasing programs
Colorado BOCES Association
14 regional organizations that support districts with procurement and cooperative purchasing arrangements
What this means for districts: Schools must adopt curriculum that aligns to Colorado's 58 financial literacy standards. Districts need to verify that their chosen curriculum maps to these specific requirements.

What Are Colorado's Financial Literacy Standards?

Colorado has 58 financial literacy standards organized across 16 topic areas. These topics range from Insurance & Risk Management and Credit & Debt to Housing & Mortgages, covering the full spectrum of personal finance education.

10 standards
Insurance & Risk Management
8 covered 2 gaps
4 standards
Credit & Debt
4 covered
2 standards
Postsecondary Financing
2 covered
2 standards
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior
2 covered
3 standards
Budgeting & Cash Flow
3 covered
2 standards
Investing
1 covered 1 gap
2 standards
Consumer Protection & Fraud
2 covered
2 standards
Financial Systems & Regulation
1 covered 1 gap
2 standards
Identity Theft & Cyber Safety
2 covered
2 standards
Macroeconomics/Market Context
1 covered 1 gap
2 standards
Employment & Benefits
2 covered
2 standards
Saving
1 covered 1 gap
2 standards
Retirement Planning
2 covered
1 standard
Earning Income
1 covered
1 standard
Banking & Payments
1 covered
1 standard
Housing & Mortgages
1 covered

How Colorado School Districts Adopt Financial Literacy Curriculum

Colorado is an open territory state, meaning individual districts have the authority to select and purchase curriculum directly without state-level approval. Colorado does not have a state-mandated textbook adoption list. Districts have autonomy to select and purchase educational materials based on their own needs and budgets.

Purchasing Process

Individual school districts make procurement decisions independently. Many districts participate in cooperative purchasing agreements to leverage volume discounts, but there is no state-level adoption mandate or centralized approval process.

Decision Level

School districts retain full authority over curriculum and materials selection. The state provides standards and guidance but does not mandate specific vendors or products.

Cooperative Purchasing Options

Colorado PURCH Cooperative National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA) Regional Educational Service Cooperatives (ESC) - 14 regional ESCs across Colorado

Curriculum That Meets Colorado's Financial Literacy Standards

Districts looking for a standards-aligned financial literacy curriculum can use iKnowFi Academy — a self-paced, online platform built on the Absorb LMS that maps directly to Colorado's learning objectives. iKnowFi Academy covers 50 of 58 standards (86.2% coverage) across 9 courses.

Colorado Standards Coverage

86.2%
50 of 58 standards covered 9 courses

Aligned Courses

Borrowing Money

1 module · 1 standard aligned

Establishing Credit

2 modules · 2 standards aligned

Financial Building Blocks

2 modules · 6 standards aligned

Financial Preparation and Recovery

3 modules · 14 standards aligned

Making Housing Decisions

1 module · 1 standard aligned

Managing Your Debt

1 module · 5 standards aligned

Managing Your Money

3 modules · 6 standards aligned

Using Credit Cards

1 module · 4 standards aligned

Your Financial Future

3 modules · 11 standards aligned

Colorado's Financial Literacy Standards & iKnowFi Academy Alignment

All 58 standards — 50 covered by iKnowFi Academy.

Insurance & Risk Management 8/10 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.5 Evaluate strategies for consumers to avoid financial risk, reduce risk, accept risk, or transfer risk to others through insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Identify the cost and benefits of purchasing insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of identity theft insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of health insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of disability insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of long-term care insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of life insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of renters/homeowners’ insurance. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of automotive insurance. 9-12 —
FL.HS.5.5 Explain the types and purpose of professional liability insurance. 9-12 —
Credit & Debt 4/4 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.2 Analyze student loan repayment options, terms, requirements, and state and federal repayment programs and their impact on a student’s financial future. 9-12 Managing Your Debt
FL.HS.5.3 Summarize factors to consider when selecting borrowing options, including costs, relevance, payoffs, and tradeoffs. 9-12 Borrowing Money
FL.HS.5.3 Explain how an individual’s credit history can affect borrowing power. 9-12 Establishing Credit
FL.HS.5.3 Compare the advantages and disadvantages of various types of credit. 9-12 Establishing Credit
Postsecondary Financing 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.2 Investigate the total cost, affordability, and payment options associated with postsecondary options, degrees, and credentials, including personal savings, scholarships, grants, employer tuition programs, work study, and public and private loans. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.HS.5.2 Review the purpose and the process of accessing state and federal financial aid, including the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 9-12 Your Financial Future
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.1 Recognize the alternatives, consequences, and responsibilities associated with personal financial decisions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.HS.5.1 Use reliable information resources when making financial decisions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
Budgeting & Cash Flow 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.1 Develop a system for keeping and using financial records. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.2 Simulate a sustainable household budget based on future personal and career goals. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.HS.5.3 Design a household budget (using gross and net income) that addresses financial obligations and integrates saving for future goals and retirement based on your values and goals. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Investing 1/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.4 Select financial investments that align with financial goals, risk tolerance, and personal and retirement options for different life stages. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.HS.5.4 Analyze how financial markets react to changes in market conditions, monetary policy, fiscal policy, and information. 9-12 —
Consumer Protection & Fraud 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.5 Analyze consumer and financial information for relevance, credibility, and accuracy. 9-12 Using Credit Cards
FL.HS.5.5 Identify consumer responsibilities, rights, and consumer protection laws that regulate contracts and financial transactions. 9-12 Using Credit Cards
Financial Systems & Regulation 1/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.1 Compare financial institutions and products. 9-12 Managing Your Money
FL.HS.5.4 Analyze how financial markets react to changes in market conditions, monetary policy, fiscal policy, and information. 9-12 —
Identity Theft & Cyber Safety 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.1 Formulate strategies to protect personal and financial information. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
FL.HS.5.5 Outline steps to monitor and safeguard personal financial data to minimize, avoid and/or resolve identity theft or fraud issues. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Macroeconomics/Market Context 1/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.2 Analyze the impact of economic conditions and cost of living factors on income and purchasing power. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.HS.5.3 Analyze how inflation and cost of living impact consumer purchasing and saving power. 9-12 —
Employment & Benefits 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.2 Predict the potential impact of education and skill development choices on career earnings, including starting salary by field and level of degree or credential. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.HS.5.2 Analyze the monetary and non-monetary value of employee benefits in addition to pay. For example: benefits, flexible work options, and retirement plans. 9-12 Your Financial Future
Saving 1/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.3 Design a household budget (using gross and net income) that addresses financial obligations and integrates saving for future goals and retirement based on your values and goals. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
FL.HS.5.3 Analyze how inflation and cost of living impact consumer purchasing and saving power. 9-12 —
Retirement Planning 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.3 Design a household budget (using gross and net income) that addresses financial obligations and integrates saving for future goals and retirement based on your values and goals. 9-12 Your Financial Future
FL.HS.5.4 Select financial investments that align with financial goals, risk tolerance, and personal and retirement options for different life stages. 9-12 Your Financial Future
Earning Income 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.2 Compare different sources of personal income and compensation including earned income, profit income, interest income, dividend income, rental income, capital gains, and royalties. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Banking & Payments 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.3 Describe how to use and manage different types of accounts and payment methods. 9-12 Managing Your Money
Housing & Mortgages 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
FL.HS.5.3 Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of leasing versus purchasing automobiles, homes, and other large purchases. 9-12 Making Housing Decisions

Colorado Financial Literacy FAQ

Yes. Colorado requires financial literacy instruction, effective since 2020.

Colorado requires personal financial literacy education as part of the high school graduation requirements. Senate Bill 19-188 mandated a 0.5 credit financial literacy course for high school students, effective with students entering 9th grade in the 2020-2021 school year.

Colorado's financial literacy requirements are established by HB 25-1192 and HB 21-1200.

Requires successful completion of a financial literacy course incorporating all state financial literacy standards as a condition of high school graduation, beginning with students entering ninth grade on or after September 1, 2026. Revised and expanded the state's financial literacy standards to include topics such as budgeting for postsecondary education and understanding FAFSA, laying the groundwork for later graduation requirements.

Colorado's financial literacy standards apply to grades 9-12. A standalone course is required.

Colorado has 58 financial literacy standards spanning 16 topic areas including Insurance & Risk Management, Credit & Debt, Postsecondary Financing, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Budgeting & Cash Flow.

Colorado's 58 standards are organized across 16 topics: Insurance & Risk Management, Credit & Debt, Postsecondary Financing, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Consumer Protection & Fraud, Identity Theft & Cyber Safety, Employment & Benefits, Retirement Planning, Investing, Financial Systems & Regulation, Earning Income, Macroeconomics/Market Context, Saving, Banking & Payments, Housing & Mortgages.

Colorado is an open-territory state where individual districts purchase curriculum directly.

Individual school districts make procurement decisions independently. Many districts participate in cooperative purchasing agreements to leverage volume discounts, but there is no state-level adoption mandate or centralized approval process.

iKnowFi Academy covers 50 of Colorado's 58 financial literacy standards (86% coverage) across 9 self-paced online courses.

Each course is aligned to Colorado's specific learning objectives, built on the Absorb LMS, and includes built-in assessments. Teachers assign them and students work independently.

Get Your Free Colorado Standards Alignment Report

See exactly how iKnowFi Academy maps to each of Colorado's 58 financial literacy standards — standard by standard, module by module.

  • 50 of 58 standards covered
  • 9 self-paced courses, ready to assign
  • Built-in assessments and progress tracking
  • No schedule changes needed — students work independently

Ready to see the full alignment?

Free for Colorado school districts

Request Alignment Report Schedule a Demo
Last updated: March 2026