In authorizing charter schools, Colorado created an avenue for parents, teachers, and community members "to take responsible risks and create new, innovative, more flexible ways of educating all children within the public school system." A brief outline of charter schools, followed by detailed instructions on how to apply for and start a charter school, is offered in this handbook. It defines what a charter school is, discusses the Charter School Act (which is appended at the end), and the purposes for having such a school. In applying for a charter, a clear statement of mission, goals, philosophy, values, and principles is essential. Some of the required elements of a charter application include: a mission statement; a budget; the role of students, parents, teachers, and the accountability committee; evidence of support for the school; and a listing of educational programs and standards. The potential charter school must describe educational programs, pupil performance standards, and the curriculum and content standards, which should include a plan for evaluating pupil performance. A summary of Colorado regulations for charter schools and a list of organizations and resource persons appears at the end. (RJM)