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Homeschool benefits: RTD Denver metro

Children and teens 19 and under ride all Regional Transportation District (RTD) buses, trains, and special services at no cost, instead of paying $5.50 for a Day Pass or $88 for a Monthly Pass. A homeschooled child qualifies by age with no application: carry a government-issued ID or an RTD youth special discount card to show the operator or fare inspector. Other options include scholarships and grants and library educator cards and resources.

By , founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed .

Benefits in the RTD Denver metro service area

  1. RTD Zero Fare for Youth
  2. JeffCo Kids First homeschool scholarship
  3. Poudre River Public Library District homeschool teacher card
  4. Arapahoe Libraries homeschool and educator resources

RTD Zero Fare for Youth

Who qualifies

  1. Is 19 or younger

    Every rider 19 and under rides at no cost, whether or not they attend a school.

  2. Carries accepted proof

    Show a current school ID, a valid government-issued ID, a permanent resident card, a military ID or dependent card with date of birth, or an RTD-issued youth special discount card.

  3. Has proof without a school ID

    A homeschooled child without a school ID can use a government ID or request an RTD youth special discount card through the email link on the Zero Fare for Youth page.

What the fare saves

RTD's fares page lists these standard fares and says youth 19 and under ride free on all RTD services.

3-Hour Pass (full fare $2.75)
Free
Day Pass (full fare $5.50)
Free
Monthly Pass (full fare $88)
Free
Airport Day Pass (full fare $10)
Free

RTD's partner toolkit still describes Zero Fare for Youth as a pilot program, so check RTD's page before you plan a full school year around it.

How to ride free

  1. Before the first ride

    Get proof of age

    Make sure your child has a government ID or an RTD youth special discount card if they have no school ID.

  2. Each ride

    Show proof if asked

    Your child shows the ID to the bus operator or fare inspector and rides without paying.

  3. At age 20

    Switch to adult fares

    Free rides end after age 19. An income-eligible rider can then apply for RTD LiVE at 50% off.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Who to contact about Zero Fare for Youth

RTD Customer Care answers fare questions, with Spanish and other languages available.

303-299-6000 Zero Fare for Youth

JeffCo Kids First homeschool scholarship

Who qualifies

  1. Graduating Jefferson County senior

    Your student must be a graduating Jefferson County, Colorado high school senior. Homeschool students are named as welcome.

  2. Going on to more education

    Your student must be headed to a university, community college, trade school, or other higher education.

  3. Writes the essay

    The 2026 essay, 750 words or fewer, asked about a classroom experience that moved the student from absorbing information to forming their own conclusions, and the teacher's approach to neutrality.

  4. Has two recommendation letters

    Both letters come from non-relatives and speak to your student's character, integrity, and unique qualities.

What it is worth

The terms come from JeffCo Kids First's 2026 scholarship application page.

Award per student
$1,000
Awards in 2026
10
Essay length
750 words or fewer
Recommendation letters
2, from non-relatives
GPA requirement
None
Finalists notified
Within 4 weeks

The page does not say how or when the $1,000 is paid, so ask whether it goes to your student or the school.

From applying to keeping it

  1. Senior year

    Watch for the application

    JeffCo Kids First posts each year's application on its scholarships page. The 2027 cycle is not posted yet.

  2. Before the deadline

    Gather the letters

    Ask two non-relatives for recommendation letters and draft the essay.

  3. By the deadline

    Send one PDF

    Send one PDF named with your student's full name, holding the essay and both letters. The 2026 deadline was April 5.

  4. Within 4 weeks

    Hear about finalists

    JeffCo Kids First notifies finalists within four weeks of the deadline.

What it pays for

Covered

JeffCo Kids First, a local group based in Arvada, funds the award, not Jefferson County government, and sets the number of awards each year.

Who to contact

JeffCo Kids First runs the scholarship and takes questions by email or by mail at PO Box 741122, Arvada, CO 80006.

jeffcokidsfirst@gmail.com Scholarship page

Poudre River Public Library District homeschool teacher card

Who qualifies

  1. Homeschools your child

    The library names parents who homeschool as eligible, along with preschool, day care, and public, private, and charter school teachers.

  2. Lives or works in PSD

    The library district's legal service area is the same as Poudre School District's boundaries.

  3. Shows homeschool proof

    Bring proof of current homeschooling status, which PSD's Student Outreach Department provides.

  4. Has no unpaid fees

    The card must be clear of fees to renew each year.

What the card gives you

The limits come from Poudre Libraries' library card page, in the Teacher Card section.

Items out at once
100
DVDs and magazines
20 of each
Holds
20
Books, magazines, audio CDs, and Tales Kits
6 weeks
Book Club Kits
12 weeks
Renewals on most items
Up to 3

The Teacher card is for classroom and professional support, not personal borrowing, and it cannot check out Lucky Day, Here and Now, or Gadgets & Things items.

How to get the card

  1. Before you go

    Get proof from PSD

    Ask PSD's Student Outreach Department for proof of current homeschooling status.

  2. At the library

    Apply for the card

    Show your homeschool proof to library staff and ask for a Teacher Library Card.

  3. Each checkout

    Renew or return

    Items renew automatically unless someone placed a hold or your account is blocked. You can also renew in My Account or by phone.

  4. By September 30

    Renew the card

    Teacher cards expire every September 30. Clear any fees, then renew for the new school year.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Good to know

Who to contact about the card

Library staff answer questions about Teacher cards and renew items by phone.

970-221-6740 Teacher card details

Arapahoe Libraries homeschool and educator resources

Who qualifies

  1. Lives in Colorado

    Arapahoe Libraries issues cards to any Colorado resident with a photo ID and proof of address, at a library location or through the online eCard signup.

  2. Children can have their own card

    A minor can start a temporary card online and convert it to a full-service card at a location. Parents are responsible for what a child borrows.

  3. Homeschool parents use the support form

    The educator and parent support form lists a homeschool consultation, parent workshops, book talks, and group student cards for preschool through grade 12.

  4. Owes $10 or less

    Unpaid fees over $10 block new checkouts.

What the card gives you

The limits come from Arapahoe Libraries' borrowing page and its educator and parent support page.

Items checked out per card
100
Holds per card
100
Book loan
21 days, 3 renewals
STEAM and Brain Box kits
21 days, 3 renewals
Mobile hotspot
7 days, 3 renewals
Overdue fines
None

The support page still mentions take-home Chromebooks, but the borrowing page says that program has been retired, so do not plan on borrowing a laptop.

How to get the card and support

  1. Before you go

    Get a card

    Sign up online for an eCard or bring a photo ID and proof of address to any Arapahoe Libraries location.

  2. Three weeks ahead

    Request a consultation or visit

    Use the educator and parent support form for a homeschool consultation or parent workshop, at least three weeks before you need it.

  3. Two weeks ahead

    Ask for materials

    A librarian can pick materials on your topic and place them on hold for you to pick up within seven days.

  4. Each checkout

    Return or auto-renew

    Items renew automatically unless someone else is waiting. An item 40 days overdue is billed as lost until you return it.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Good to know

Who to contact about the card

Arapahoe Libraries answers card, borrowing, and educator support questions by phone at 303-LIBRARY or through its contact form.

303-542-7279 Educator and parent support

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Colorado

Give written notice to a Colorado school district 14 days before starting and each year the program continues. Notice is not required before age 6; instruction need not begin until age 7 or continue after age 16.

Colorado sets these rules:

Read the Colorado homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Colorado

Questions parents ask

Can a homeschooled child ride RTD free without a school ID?
Yes. A valid government-issued ID, a permanent resident card, a military dependent card with date of birth, or an RTD youth special discount card all work in place of a school ID.

Turn support into your child’s next lesson

A student fare helps with trips to classes and activities. We handle the learning at home, with lessons built around your child's interests and feedback on their work.

Start your 14-day free trial

$149/month per child after the trial.

Find benefits for your ZIP code

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