In Colorado, 93% of elementary grade schools (K-5), 86% of middle schools (grades 6-8), and 83% of high schools (9-12) offer some formal arts education to students. Few elementary school students received instruction in Theater Arts (11% of students) or Dance (20%).  Visual Art and Music are offered most frequently, 79%-89% depending on grade level and arts discipline. Far fewer, 22% and 11%, received instruction in Theater Arts and/or Music, respectively.  High school students were the least likely to have received arts instruction:  30% Visual Arts; 26% Music; 22% Theater Arts; 3% Dance. In total, 29,000 public school students have no opportunity for formal arts education. Although disparities exist on access to arts programs, the use of non-certified teachers is very uncommon or non-existent, depending on the grade level and arts discipline (highly trained Music teachers are essentially ubiquitous). Students receive a healthy amount of arts education:  average of 120 minutes per week.  Only 20% of elementary schools offer an hour or less of arts education. 96% of high schools use student performance in art for GPA/class rank calculations, however only 53% of high schools have an arts graduation requirement. 4/10 schools received arts instruction from a visiting artist in the past school year, and half of all schools reported arts-related field trips and 2/3 of elementary/middle schools had arts-related assemblies, as well as 81% high schools. Rural districts provided lower levels of arts education than urban districts, and larger high schools reported more arts education opportunities.

In Colorado students receive a healthy amount of arts education: average of 120 minutes per week. Rural districts provided lower levels of arts education than urban districts, and larger high schools reported more arts education opportunities.