# Colorado Districts Seek Online School Approval

School boards in Lewis-Palmer School District 38 and School District 49 advanced proposals for three multi-district online or hybrid schools, pending approval by the Colorado State Board of Education. Applications are due January 2, 2027 (70 days from October 24, 2026), and the proposed schools are intended to begin operating in the 2027–28 school year. No contract values, vendor solicitations, or current awards were reported, so the plans signal possible future demand rather than an active procurement opportunity.

- Education technology, curriculum, and hybrid-learning providers may find future opportunities if the proposals receive state approval and the districts procure support for the new schools.
- Companies can use the proposed 2027–28 launch timeframe to assess relevant offerings, but the signal identifies no solicitation, procurement schedule, or vendor selection process to respond to now.
- The January 2 application deadline concerns state approval of the school proposals, not a contractor bid deadline.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- Lewis-Palmer School District 38 (D-38)
- School District 49 (D-49)
- Colorado State Board of Education
- Colorado Department of Education (CDE)
- Education ReEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services

### Key Quotes
> And I will tell you, as somebody who started one of these schools almost 20 years ago, this model will dominate high school, especially education, in 10 years. It’s coming.
> — Peter Hilts, Superintendent, District 49

> Those students are definitely served by that model well; everyone else, it’s incredibly isolating.
> — Adam Hailstone, Chief Operating Officer, Williamsburg Academy

### Sources
- [Colorado School Districts Approve New Online Options](https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/colorado-school-districts-approve-new-online-options) - GovTech