#1 Understanding Charter Schools in Colorado: Who’s Really in Charge?
Charter schools are public schools, but beyond that basic fact, things get complicated quickly.
As these schools continue to grow across Colorado and the nation, many parents, educators, and taxpayers are left wondering: Who's really running them? What exactly are Education Management Organizations (EMOs) and Education Service Providers (ESPs)? And why does any of this matter?
This post unpacks the growing complexity behind charter school governance and explains how private organizations intersect with public education. It's the first in a five-part series focused on the current charter school debate in Montrose County, Colorado—a case study that reflects broader trends and tensions in the state.
Charter Schools in Colorado: A 2025 Snapshot
Colorado is home to over 260 charter schools, enrolling more than 136,000 students—about 15.5% of the state's public school population. These schools are publicly funded but independently operated under contracts (or "charters") with authorizers, typically local school districts or the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI).
Some districts, like Adams 12 Five Star Schools in Thornton, have long embraced a mixed ecosystem of district-run and charter schools. Others have only recently started seeing charter activity. As enrollment pressures mount and school choice movements gain traction, more communities are facing tough decisions about how charters fit into the future of public education.
What Are EMOs and ESPs?
As more charter schools open, many turn to private companies for support, and that's where the confusion begins. Two terms often appear in these conversations:
Education Management Organizations (EMOs): Companies, either for-profit or nonprofit, that manage a school’s entire operation. This includes academics, staffing, finances, and daily decision-making. EMOs often exert high levels of control and sometimes even hold the charter contract themselves.
Education Service Providers (ESPs): Entities that provide specific services (e.g., curriculum support, HR, technology), but do not manage the school as a whole. Schools using ESPs retain full governance authority and oversight.
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, the distinction is important, especially for those concerned about transparency, accountability, and how public dollars are spent.
Real-World Examples in Colorado
The presence of EMOs and ESPs in Colorado is not new. Here are a few examples that illustrate the variety of approaches:
Stargate Academy (Adams 12): One of Colorado's first charters, Stargate opened in 1994 and continues to serve gifted and talented students with an in-house administrative model.
Prospect Ridge Academy (Broomfield): A college-prep school focused on Core Knowledge and athletics. PRA manages its own HR and finance functions internally.
KIPP and DSST (Denver and Aurora): National charter networks with multiple campuses. Their networked structure involves centralized decision-making and shared resources across schools.
James Irwin Charter Schools (Colorado Springs): A network of schools that operates under multiple district authorizers, rather than placing all contracts with one district.
This mix of models highlights the diverse and sometimes confusing landscape of charter governance.
Why It Matters
As school districts face declining enrollment, budget constraints, and political polarization over curriculum and values, decisions about whether and how to authorize new charter schools are more contentious than ever. Classical charter academies, in particular, have become flashpoints. Advocates often come from conservative political, social, or religious circles; opponents raise concerns about equity, civil rights, and the long-term health of public education.
Understanding the role of EMOs and ESPs helps clarify who’s really making decisions at these schools—and whether those decisions are driven by local communities or outside interests.
Up Next: Montrose County's Charter School Controversy
The next post in this series will explore a current debate unfolding in Montrose County, where the school board is considering a renewed application from Monument Classical Academy. The application has sparked both support and concern, raising key questions about who stands to gain, who will be held accountable, and what’s at stake for the community.
Stay tuned.
Download a PDF with the full series, Charters, Montrose & Minga here.
