Colorado's Adoption Laws

Adoption Records

 

Colorado

Statute: § 19-1-307(1)-(3)

Records Confidential: Yes

Persons with access to records

• CPS/State Agencies

• Courts/Judges

• Law Enforcement

• Attorneys General/Prosecutors

• Attorneys, GAL's

• Physicians

• Researchers

• Employers

• Parents/Guardians

• Coroners

• Review Teams

• Subject of Reports

Persons without access to records

• Agencies From Other States

• Grand Juries

• Reporters of Abuse

• Treatment Providers

• Public/Any Person

Other Department of Education School personnel Child-placing agencies Private adoption agencies Other persons, as determined by the court

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Consent to Adoption

The consent may not be signed until after the birth.

Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of Colorado.

Revocation Time Frame in Colorado

Colorado state law requires an Order of Relinquishment to be given at a court hearing. The consent may be revoked any time up until the court hearing, which usually occurs 2-4 weeks after the birth. The rights of both the birth mother and birth father are terminated at the court hearing.

Parties to an Adoption

Colorado

Who May Adopt

Statute: § 19-5-202

• Any person age 21 or older, including a foster parent, may adopt.

• A minor may petition the court for approval.

• A person with a living spouse shall adopt jointly.

Who May Be Adopted

Statute: § 19-5-201

• Any child under age 18 present in the State

• A person over age 18 but under 21 if approved by the court

Who May Place a Child for Adoption

Statute: § 19-5-206

• The birth parent(s)

• The court

• The county Department of Social Services

• A licensed child-placing agency

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Birth Father Statutes

Does State have a Putative Father Registry: No

Registry/Paternity Requirements to Receive Notice
Statute: § 19-5-105(2), (3), (5)

To identify a birth parent, the court shall cause inquiry to be made of the known parent and any other appropriate person.

Information Contained in Registry/Claim
Statute:

Revocation of Claim to Paternity
Statute:

Access to Information Maintained in Registry
Statute:

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

Adoption Expenses

Colorado

Birth Parent Expenses Allowed Statute: § 19-5-213

  1. • Attorney fees and other charges and fees, as may be approved by the court, are allowed.
  2. • Physicians and attorneys may charge reasonable fees for professional services.

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed 

Not addressed in statutes reviewed

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: § 19-5-213(b) 

No person other than an adoption exchange or licensed agency may charge or receive money for locating or identifying a child or natural parent for adoption or a prospective adoptive parent.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: § 19-5-213(a) 

No person shall offer or charge any money or other consideration in connection with the relinquishment and adoption.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency Statute: § 19-5-207.5(4) 

A person who is the subject of a home study report and investigation conducted by a county department shall be required to pay, based on ability to pay, the cost of the investigation.

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court Statute: § 19-5-208(4)

 The adoption petition shall be accompanied by a standardized affidavit disclosing all fees, costs, or expenses charged or to be charged by any person or agency in connection with the adoption.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

International Expenses

Statutes Include Information on International Adoption: Yes

Effect of Foreign Adoption Decree:

Validation of Foreign Adoption:
Colorado Revised Statutes § 19-5-205 (1997)

Petitioners may petition court to issue decree declaring valid the decree issued by a court of any country other than the United States.

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

General Adoption Statutes

Colorado

Agency or Person Gathering Information or Preparing Report Statute: § 19-5-207

  1. • Department of Social Services
  2. • Child placement agency
  3. • Qualified individual

Contents of Report About Person to be Adopted Statute: § 19-5-207

  1. • Physical and mental condition
  2. • Family background, including names of parents if obtainable
  3. • Child's disposition toward adoption
  4. • Length of time child has been in custody of petitioner

Contents of Report About Birth Parents Statute: § 19-5-207

  1. • Family background, including names, if obtainable
  2. • Reasons for terminating parental rights

Contents of Report About Adoptive Parents Statute: § 19-5-207

  1. • Physical and mental health
  2. • Emotional stability
  3. • Moral integrity
  4. • Ability to promote welfare of the adopted person
  5. • Suitability of match
  6. • Criminal background check
  7. • Child abuse and neglect and spousal abuse history
  8. • Drug convictions

© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.

If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.


DISCLAIMER

American Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

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