School choice is a term for K-12 public education options describing a wide array of programs offering students and their families alternatives to those publicly provided schools assigned based on the location of their family residence. Two popular school choices are charter schools and open enrollment.

Charter schools are public schools that are founded by parents, teachers or community members. They provide alternative educational programs that differ from traditional public schools. Colorado charter schools operate by way of a contract (charter) that has been authorized either by a school district or the Colorado Charter School Institute.