How to Become a Foster Parent in Colorado

Description

Foster care in Colorado provides temporary, safe, stable, and family-based care for children and youth who cannot safely remain with their parents. Reunification is generally the initial permanency goal whenever it can be achieved safely. Foster parents provide daily care, supervision, advocacy, transportation, educational support, healthcare coordination, normal childhood experiences, and emotional stability while working with the child's parents, relatives, siblings, county caseworker, guardian ad litem, court, school, healthcare providers, Tribe when applicable, and other members of the child's team.

Agency

The Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare, establishes statewide policy and certification standards. Colorado's county-administered child-welfare system allows county departments of human or social services to recruit, assess, certify, supervise, and support foster homes. State-licensed child placement agencies may also recruit and certify foster families for the programs and populations they serve.

Who Can Apply

Adults age 21 or older may apply. Foster parents may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or in a committed relationship and may rent or own their residence. Colorado does not restrict applicants based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or marital status. Applicants must demonstrate responsible, stable, and emotionally mature lifestyles, sound judgment, sufficient financial resources, appropriate health, safe parenting practices, reliable transportation, a supportive household, and the ability to meet the needs of children who have experienced trauma, grief, separation, abuse, neglect, and instability.

Average Time To License

No single completion period applies statewide. Certification depends on completion of the initial inquiry and orientation, application, pre-certification training, CPR and First Aid certification, references, health evaluations, fingerprint-based criminal-history checks, child-abuse and neglect checks, the SAFE home study, interviews, home inspection, and correction of any unmet standards. Additional reviews involving criminal history, prior child-welfare involvement, out-of-state records, household changes, or specialized-care approval may extend the process.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

A Colorado foster-parent applicant must be at least 21 years old. The certifying county or child placement agency also evaluates the applicant's maturity, judgment, stability, life experience, caregiving ability, support system, and readiness to safely parent children who have experienced trauma.

Residency

Applicants generally begin with the Colorado county department of human or social services serving the county where they live or with a Colorado-licensed child placement agency serving their community. The residence must be available for assessment, inspection, certification, ongoing supervision, and annual recertification. Applicants who recently lived outside Colorado may be required to complete criminal-history, child-abuse, neglect, or licensing checks from previous states or countries of residence.

Marital Status

Colorado permits qualified single adults, married couples, unmarried couples, divorced adults, widowed adults, and adults in committed relationships to foster. When two adults apply together or will share primary caregiving responsibilities, both generally participate in training, interviews, the home study, background checks, and certification. The certifying agency evaluates the stability of the relationship and each adult's commitment to fostering.

Income Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to meet their household's existing obligations without relying on foster-care maintenance payments. The certifying agency may review income, employment, assets, liabilities, debts, monthly expenses, housing costs, childcare expenses, and financial planning. Foster-care payments are intended to reimburse the costs of caring for a placed child and are not intended to serve as the family's primary income.

Home Ownership

Applicants are not required to own their residence. A rented or owned house, apartment, condominium, manufactured home, or other suitable residence may be certified if it provides adequate space, sanitation, utilities, privacy, sleeping arrangements, emergency exits, and safety. Renters should confirm that their lease, landlord, property rules, and occupancy limits permit the intended household arrangement.

Bedroom Requirements

The home must provide adequate and approved sleeping space for every household member and child placed there. Each foster child must have a separate bed with a safe mattress, appropriate bedding, and adequate space for clothing and personal belongings. Bedroom sharing must be appropriate for the children's ages, sexes, gender identities, relationships, privacy, developmental needs, trauma histories, behaviors, and case plans. The certifying authority determines the home's approved capacity and whether each sleeping arrangement meets Colorado requirements.

Transportation

The family must maintain a reliable and safe transportation plan for school, family visitation, medical and dental appointments, therapy, court-related activities, childcare, extracurricular activities, cultural or religious activities, and emergencies. Drivers transporting foster children must have valid driver's licenses and any required agency approval. Vehicles must be safely maintained, legally registered, appropriately insured, and equipped with seat belts, car seats, booster seats, helmets, and other restraints required by law.

Health Requirements

Foster-parent applicants and household members must provide current health information or evaluations as required by the certifying agency. Applicants must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of providing safe and consistent care. A diagnosis, disability, prescribed medication, counseling history, or previous treatment does not automatically prevent certification. The agency evaluates whether a condition could affect supervision, judgment, household stability, or the ability to meet children's needs and may request additional professional information or a written safety plan.

Pet Policy

Pets and other animals are permitted when they do not create an unreasonable health or safety risk. Applicants may be required to provide current vaccination records and information concerning each animal's health, behavior, licensing, confinement, and history of aggression. Foster parents must supervise children's interactions with animals and maintain sanitary animal areas. An animal presenting a foreseeable danger may require restricted access, additional safeguards, a written safety plan, or removal from the home.

Firearm Policy

Firearms, ammunition, bows, hunting equipment, and other weapons are permitted only when safely stored and inaccessible to children. Firearms must be unloaded and stored in locked or otherwise approved secure storage. Ammunition must be stored separately in locked storage unless the certifying authority approves another arrangement permitted by law. Keys, combinations, and access devices must remain under the control of an appropriate adult.

Contact Agency

Contact the county department of human or social services serving your residence or a Colorado-licensed child placement agency. CO4Kids provides a county and agency directory to help prospective foster parents identify available programs. The selected agency will explain its current placement needs, information sessions, application procedures, training schedule, certification standards, and support services.

Attend Orientation

Participate in the information session, orientation, or introductory meeting required by the county or child placement agency. Orientation generally explains Colorado's child-welfare system, the role of foster parents, reunification and permanency, trauma and loss, children commonly needing placement, family visitation, certification requirements, training, background checks, reimbursement, support services, and the effect fostering may have on every household member.

Choose Agency

Decide whether to pursue certification through the county department of human or social services or through a licensed child placement agency. County departments generally certify families to care for children placed through the public child-welfare system. Child placement agencies may specialize in therapeutic foster care, treatment foster care, sibling groups, teenagers, children with developmental or medical needs, or other populations. Training, supervision, placement types, respite, reimbursement administration, and support services may differ by agency.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster-care application required by the county or child placement agency
• Government-issued identification and identifying information for each applicant
• Information about every adult and child living in the household
• Information concerning adults who are regularly present in the home
• Fingerprint submissions for applicants and other covered adults
• Authorization for Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal-history checks
• Authorization for Colorado child-abuse and neglect background checks
• Out-of-state child-abuse, neglect, criminal-history, or licensing checks when applicable
• Authorization for Colorado Judicial Department record checks when required
• Sex-offender registry checks for covered adults
• Residential-address history for the period requested by the certifying agency
• Names and contact information for required personal references
• Current health evaluations or medical-report forms for applicants
• Health information for other household members when required
• Financial statement identifying income, assets, liabilities, debts, and monthly expenses
• Employment and work-schedule information
• Marriage, divorce, separation, domestic-partnership, or relationship information when applicable
• Housing, mortgage, rental, lease, landlord, or property information when requested
• Driver's-license information for each person who may transport foster children
• Vehicle-registration and automobile-insurance documentation
• Information identifying childcare providers, respite providers, emergency caregivers, and support persons
• Emergency and disaster-preparedness information
• Pet vaccination or veterinary records when applicable
• Information concerning firearms, ammunition, bows, weapons, pools, water hazards, and other household risks
• Information about prior foster-care, kinship-care, adoption, guardianship, childcare, or caregiving applications and approvals
• Information about prior child-welfare referrals, assessments, investigations, or findings when applicable
• Information about arrests, criminal charges, convictions, probation, parole, protection orders, or other court involvement when applicable
• Certificates documenting completion of required pre-certification training
• Current CPR and First Aid certification
• Any additional explanations, evaluations, records, waivers, or safety plans requested during the certification assessment

Required

Yes

Description

Prospective foster parents participate in an orientation and mutual-assessment process provided by the county department or child placement agency. Orientation introduces applicants to the responsibilities of foster parenting and commonly addresses Colorado's county-administered child-welfare system, trauma, grief, separation, attachment, reunification, permanency, family engagement, sibling relationships, cultural identity, confidentiality, mandated reporting, discipline restrictions, reasonable and prudent parenting, normalcy, placement matching, reimbursement, support services, and the importance of working as part of the child's professional and family team.

How To Register

Use the CO4Kids county and child placement agency directory to locate an agency serving your area. Contact the agency directly or attend one of its listed foster-care information sessions. The agency will provide registration instructions, orientation dates, preliminary screening information, application forms, training schedules, and details about the populations and placement types it serves.

Duration

Orientation length and format vary by county and child placement agency. Some agencies provide one introductory meeting lasting approximately two to three hours, while others use several meetings or incorporate orientation into the beginning of the 27-hour pre-certification curriculum. Sessions may be offered in person, virtually, or through a hybrid format.

Application Process

Applicants submit the required foster-care application and supporting documentation to the county department or licensed child placement agency responsible for certifying the home. The certifying worker reviews the application, identifies all adults requiring background checks, arranges fingerprinting, requests criminal-history and child-abuse or neglect records, verifies references, and enrolls applicants in required training. The worker conducts the SAFE home study, interviews applicants and household members, evaluates family functioning and parenting capacity, inspects the residence, and requests repairs, explanations, evaluations, waivers, or safety plans when necessary. When the agency determines that the applicants and home meet Colorado certification standards, it issues a foster-care home certificate identifying the home's approved capacity and any placement limitations.

Required Documents

• Completed application to operate a foster care home
• Identification and personal-history information for each applicant
• Information identifying every adult and child residing in the household
• Information concerning adults who are regularly present or may provide care in the home
• Fingerprint cards or Live Scan submissions for covered adults
• Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal-history authorizations
• Colorado child-abuse and neglect background-check authorizations
• Out-of-state child-abuse and neglect registry checks when applicable
• Criminal-history or licensing records from other jurisdictions when requested
• Colorado Judicial Department database checks when required
• State and national sex-offender registry checks
• Residential-address history
• Names and contact information for qualifying references
• Current health evaluations for applicants
• Health information for household members when requested
• Financial statement identifying assets, liabilities, income, debts, and monthly expenses
• Employment and work-schedule information
• Marriage, divorce, separation, domestic-partnership, or relationship-history information when applicable
• Housing, mortgage, rental, lease, landlord, or property information when requested
• Driver's-license information for adults who may transport children
• Vehicle-registration and automobile-insurance documentation
• Information identifying childcare providers, respite providers, alternative caregivers, and emergency support persons
• Emergency, disaster, evacuation, and communication plans
• Pet vaccination, licensing, or veterinary records when applicable
• Information concerning firearms, ammunition, bows, hunting equipment, pools, hot tubs, ponds, and other household hazards
• Information about previous foster-care, adoption, guardianship, kinship-care, childcare, or caregiving applications and certifications
• Documentation concerning prior child-welfare referrals, investigations, assessments, or findings when applicable
• Documentation concerning arrests, criminal charges, convictions, probation, parole, protection orders, or other legal matters when applicable
• Certificates documenting completion of required pre-certification training
• Current CPR and First Aid certification
• Any specialized-care, treatment-care, medication, water-safety, infant-care, or child-specific certifications required for the intended placements
• Any additional records, professional evaluations, written explanations, waivers, or safety plans requested by the certifying agency

References Required

Applicants must provide personal references in the number and format required by the certifying county or child placement agency. References should know the applicants well enough to discuss their character, judgment, reliability, relationships, emotional stability, parenting or caregiving ability, ability to manage stress, and suitability to care for children. Agencies may require non-relative references, may interview references by telephone or in writing, and may request additional references when the available information is incomplete or raises concerns.

Interview Process

The SAFE home-study process includes individual and joint interviews with applicants and age-appropriate interviews with children and other adults living in the household. The worker may also interview adult children, former spouses or partners, relatives, references, regular visitors, alternative caregivers, therapists, healthcare professionals, or others whose information is relevant to the assessment. Topics include motivation to foster, childhood and family history, relationships, communication, conflict resolution, parenting experience, discipline, trauma awareness, grief and loss, cultural responsiveness, support for reunification, attitudes toward parents and relatives, health, finances, employment, support systems, criminal and child-welfare history, placement preferences, and the ability to safely provide temporary care and permanency when appropriate.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

Colorado requires pre-certification training that prepares prospective foster parents to care for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, grief, loss, separation, and instability. Required subject areas commonly include child and adolescent development; trauma-informed caregiving; attachment; behavior management; positive discipline; abuse and neglect recognition; mandatory reporting; cultural awareness; diversity, equity, and inclusion; normalcy and the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard; working with birth families; reunification and permanency; educational advocacy; confidentiality; medication administration; CPR and First Aid; supporting children's physical, behavioral, developmental, and mental-health needs; documentation; and collaboration with county departments, child placement agencies, schools, healthcare providers, courts, and other members of the child's professional team.

Required Hours

Applicants generally complete 27 hours of pre-certification training before certification. Following certification, foster parents must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education during each certification year. Counties and child placement agencies may require additional specialized training depending upon the ages, medical needs, behavioral needs, developmental disabilities, or treatment needs of children served.

Online Available

Yes. Many Colorado counties and licensed child placement agencies offer virtual, hybrid, or self-paced training options. The exact availability varies by certifying agency. CPR and First Aid certification generally must satisfy the requirements of the certifying agency and may require an in-person skills demonstration depending upon the training provider.

Certification

Certified foster parents must maintain current CPR and First Aid certification throughout the certification period. Additional certifications or training may be required for treatment foster care, medically complex children, medication administration, water safety, infant care, behavioral intervention, de-escalation techniques, developmental disabilities, commercially sexually exploited youth, or other specialized placement programs offered by the certifying agency.

Required

Yes

Interviews

Colorado requires completion of a Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) home study or another state-approved family assessment. The assessment includes multiple interviews with each applicant and appropriate interviews with other household members. The worker evaluates the applicants' motivation, parenting philosophy, family relationships, emotional stability, communication skills, support system, health, finances, discipline practices, trauma awareness, cultural responsiveness, willingness to support reunification, and overall ability to safely meet the needs of children placed in foster care.

Home Visits

The certifying worker conducts one or more home visits during the certification process. The visits include observation of the residence, interviews with household members, review of sleeping arrangements, emergency exits, fire safety, utilities, sanitation, medication storage, hazardous materials, firearms, pets, pools, transportation, and other potential safety concerns. Follow-up visits may be required to verify repairs, review additional documentation, complete the SAFE assessment, or confirm correction of identified deficiencies.

Topics Covered

• The applicants' motivation to become foster parents
• Understanding that foster care is temporary and reunification is generally the initial goal
• Ability to support the child's treatment plan and permanency goal
• Ability to support relationships with parents, siblings, relatives, Tribes, and other significant people
• Ability to work cooperatively with county caseworkers, child placement agencies, courts, schools, healthcare providers, therapists, and service providers
• Family history and childhood experiences
• Current family relationships and household functioning
• Marital, partner, or relationship stability when applicable
• The impact of fostering on biological, adopted, step, guardianship, or other children living in the home
• Parenting philosophy and caregiving experience
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development
• Understanding of abuse, neglect, trauma, attachment, grief, separation, and loss
• Discipline philosophy and compliance with Colorado's prohibited-discipline requirements
• Ability to recognize behavior as communication of underlying needs
• Ability to provide nurturing care, structure, supervision, and healthy boundaries
• Physical health and caregiving stamina
• Mental and emotional health
• Medication use when relevant to safe caregiving
• Alcohol, marijuana, controlled-substance, and other substance-use history
• Domestic violence, relationship violence, or other household safety concerns
• Criminal-history and child-abuse information
• Financial stability and household budgeting
• Employment schedules and childcare arrangements
• Transportation resources
• Emergency and disaster planning
• Family, church, community, and professional support systems
• Cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, disability, sexual-orientation, gender-identity, and gender-expression awareness
• Confidentiality and protection of children's information
• Household members' expectations concerning foster care
• Pets, firearms, pools, water hazards, smoking, vaping, marijuana, and other environmental risks
• Bedroom arrangements, storage, privacy, and approved household capacity
• Placement preferences concerning children's ages, sibling groups, medical needs, developmental disabilities, behaviors, and treatment needs
• The family's strengths, limitations, support needs, and ongoing training needs
• Ability to maintain required documentation and cooperate with ongoing supervision and annual recertification

Timeline

Colorado does not establish one guaranteed statewide timeline for completing the SAFE home study. Completion depends on the applicants' participation, scheduling of interviews and home visits, completion of training, references, medical documentation, background checks, fingerprint processing, home repairs, and the certifying agency's workload. The assessment is complete only after the agency determines the applicants can safely meet the needs of foster children.

Bedroom Rules

The home must provide adequate approved sleeping space for every household member and child placed in care. Foster children generally must have their own bed with a clean mattress and appropriate bedding. Bedrooms must provide privacy, adequate ventilation, emergency exits, and sufficient storage for clothing and personal belongings. Children may share bedrooms only when appropriate for their ages, developmental needs, gender, relationships, behaviors, and individual treatment plans. Foster children generally may not sleep in unfinished basements, garages, hallways, living rooms, or other public living spaces.

Smoke Detectors

Working smoke detectors must be installed in appropriate locations throughout the residence, including near sleeping areas and on each occupied level of the home. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed where required by Colorado law. The certifying worker verifies that alarms are operational, properly maintained, and accessible for regular testing.

Fire Extinguisher

The home must maintain at least one readily accessible, properly maintained fire extinguisher suitable for residential use. Foster parents must understand how to operate the extinguisher and maintain an emergency evacuation plan. Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, furnaces, and portable heating devices must be safely installed, maintained, and operated.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, marijuana products, controlled substances, and other potentially harmful medical items must be stored so they are inaccessible to children. Storage methods should reflect the ages, developmental abilities, behaviors, and risks presented by children placed in the home. Controlled medications may require additional security measures.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, pesticides, fuels, automotive chemicals, alcohol, cannabis products, poisonous substances, pool chemicals, tools, and other hazardous materials must be stored safely and made inaccessible to children. Hazardous products should remain in their original labeled containers whenever possible and may not be stored in food or beverage containers.

Firearms

Firearms must be unloaded and securely stored in locked containers, safes, or other approved locked storage. Ammunition must be stored separately in locked storage. Keys, combinations, trigger locks, cable locks, or other security devices must remain inaccessible to children. The certifying worker verifies compliance during home visits.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, irrigation canals, streams, lakes, and other water hazards must be protected according to Colorado certification standards. Appropriate fencing, locked gates, covers, alarms, rescue equipment, supervision plans, and other safeguards may be required depending upon the specific hazard. Children using pools or other recreational water features must receive continual adult supervision.

Pets

Animals must not create a foreseeable danger to children. Foster parents are responsible for maintaining current vaccinations when required, appropriate veterinary care, sanitation, supervision, and safe interaction between children and animals. Animals demonstrating aggressive behavior or presenting an unreasonable risk may require additional restrictions or removal from the home.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicles used to transport foster children must be legally registered, properly insured, safely maintained, and operated by licensed drivers. Children must use seat belts, car seats, booster seats, helmets, and other safety restraints required by Colorado law and appropriate for their age and size. Foster parents must maintain reliable transportation for school, visitation, medical care, counseling, court appearances, extracurricular activities, and emergencies.

Fingerprinting

Colorado requires fingerprint-based state and federal criminal-history background checks for foster-parent applicants and other covered adults residing in the home. Fingerprints are submitted through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation before certification may be granted.

Child Abuse Registry

Applicants and other required household members must complete Colorado child-abuse and neglect background checks. Applicants who have lived outside Colorado may also be required to complete child-protection registry checks from previous states of residence. The certifying agency reviews substantiated abuse or neglect findings together with other information affecting child safety.

Criminal History

The certifying agency reviews Colorado and FBI criminal-history records together with criminal-history information obtained from other jurisdictions when applicable. Criminal history is considered alongside child-protection records, references, SAFE assessment findings, interviews, licensing history, and any other information relevant to the safety and well-being of children.

Disqualifying Offenses

Certain felony convictions and other serious offenses permanently prohibit foster-home certification under federal law and Colorado regulations. Other criminal offenses may require an individualized review of rehabilitation, the amount of time that has passed, the nature of the offense, court records, personal statements, references, and evidence that the applicant no longer presents a risk to children. Some offenses cannot be waived under Colorado law.

Additional Checks

The certifying agency may review Colorado Judicial Department records, sex-offender registry records, prior foster-care, adoption, childcare, or residential-care licensing history, child placement agency records, previous home studies, motor-vehicle records for adults transporting children, military records when applicable, references, court documents, and any additional information necessary to determine whether the household can safely care for foster children.

Steps

• Contact the county department of human or social services or a licensed child placement agency.
• Complete the initial inquiry and orientation process.
• Submit the foster-home application and all required supporting documentation.
• Complete the required 27 hours of pre-certification training.
• Obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Submit fingerprint-based criminal-history background checks.
• Complete Colorado child-abuse and neglect background checks.
• Complete out-of-state background checks when applicable.
• Provide the required personal references.
• Participate in SAFE home-study interviews.
• Complete the home inspection and home environment assessment.
• Correct any health or safety concerns identified during the assessment.
• Receive foster-home certification from the county department or licensed child placement agency.
• Maintain annual recertification requirements and continuing education.

Average Timeline

Most Colorado foster-home certifications are completed in approximately three to six months, although Colorado does not guarantee a statewide certification timeline. Completion depends on training schedules, references, fingerprint processing, SAFE home-study completion, medical documentation, home inspections, correction of safety concerns, and the workload of the certifying county or child placement agency.

Renewal Requirements

Colorado foster-home certifications are generally renewed annually. Annual recertification includes continued compliance with certification standards, updated household information, review of the foster home's operation, annual home visits, completion of required continuing education, maintenance of CPR and First Aid certification, updated background checks when required, and review of any significant household changes, complaints, or incidents.

Ongoing Training

Certified foster parents must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education during each certification year. Additional training may be required based upon the needs of children placed in the home, specialized foster-care programs, medication administration, behavioral intervention, treatment foster care, developmental disabilities, medically fragile children, or other identified training needs.

How Placements Work

After certification, the county department or licensed child placement agency considers the family's approved capacity, strengths, location, experience, training, household composition, and placement preferences when matching children with foster homes. Placement decisions also consider the child's safety, sibling relationships, educational stability, medical and behavioral needs, cultural identity, connections with parents, relatives, Tribes when applicable, permanency goals, and the family's demonstrated ability to meet those needs.

Can Decline Placements

Yes. Foster parents may decline any placement they do not believe they can safely or appropriately support. Families are encouraged to ask questions regarding the child's age, behaviors, medical conditions, educational needs, visitation schedule, permanency plan, medications, transportation requirements, and known history before deciding. Declining an individual placement does not automatically affect foster-home certification, although repeated refusals may prompt discussion regarding the family's placement preferences or certification level.

Emergency Placements

Colorado counties may request emergency placements when children must be removed immediately for their safety. Certified foster homes may receive placement requests at any time of the day or night. Colorado also permits emergency placement with relatives or kinship caregivers under applicable state policies while required assessments and certification activities continue. Emergency placements remain subject to required safety reviews and ongoing case decisions.

Sibling Groups

Colorado strongly encourages keeping siblings together whenever doing so is safe and in their best interests. Counties consider whether the foster home has sufficient approved capacity, bedroom space, supervision, transportation, training, and resources to care for the sibling group. When siblings cannot safely live together, the agency works to preserve sibling relationships through visitation, communication, shared activities, and coordinated permanency planning whenever appropriate.

Age Preferences

During the SAFE home study and certification process, applicants identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical needs, developmental disabilities, behavioral needs, treatment needs, and placement types they feel prepared to support. Placement decisions balance these preferences with each child's individual needs and the family's demonstrated abilities.

Monthly Board Rate

Certified foster parents receive a monthly foster-care maintenance payment intended to offset the ordinary costs of caring for children placed in their home. Colorado establishes reimbursement rates based upon the child's age, placement type, county administration, and assessed level of need. Enhanced reimbursement may be available for treatment foster care, specialized foster care, medically fragile children, or children with significant behavioral, developmental, or emotional needs. Current payment schedules should always be verified with the certifying county department or child placement agency.

Clothing Allowance

The foster-care maintenance payment includes support intended to help meet a child's normal clothing needs. Additional clothing assistance may be available for emergency placements, children arriving without adequate clothing, seasonal clothing needs, or other extraordinary circumstances as authorized by the placing agency or county.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be available when necessary to support the child's placement and allow foster parents to maintain employment, attend required training, participate in education, or meet other approved responsibilities. Eligibility, authorization procedures, reimbursement, provider requirements, and funding sources vary by county and the child's individual circumstances.

Medical Coverage

Children in Colorado foster care generally receive Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) or other eligible medical coverage. Foster parents coordinate medical, dental, vision, behavioral-health, developmental, specialty-care, and emergency services through the child's county caseworker, healthcare providers, managed-care organizations when applicable, and other authorized service providers.

Mileage Reimbursement

Mileage reimbursement may be available for transportation required by the child's case plan, including family visitation, court appearances, medical and dental appointments, counseling, educational meetings, evaluations, and other approved travel. Documentation requirements, reimbursement rates, and prior authorization procedures vary by county and child placement agency.

Additional Benefits

Depending upon the child's assessed needs and placement type, foster families may receive enhanced foster-care payments, treatment foster-care reimbursement, respite services, childcare assistance, transportation assistance, behavioral-health consultation, educational support, independent-living services for eligible youth, therapeutic services, developmental-disability supports, and other county-, state-, or federally authorized benefits.

Respite Care

Respite care is available to provide temporary relief for foster families and to help maintain stable placements. Respite providers must meet applicable approval requirements, and respite arrangements are coordinated through the certifying county department or licensed child placement agency. Availability, funding, and frequency vary according to the child's needs, placement type, and local resources.

Support Groups

Colorado foster parents have access to support groups through county departments, licensed child placement agencies, the Colorado Foster Parent Association, faith-based organizations, and community partners. Many organizations also provide conferences, continuing education, peer networking, caregiver workshops, and online support communities.

Mentoring

Many Colorado counties and licensed child placement agencies connect newly certified foster parents with experienced caregivers who provide mentoring, practical guidance, encouragement, and peer support during the family's first placements. Additional mentoring opportunities may be available through foster-parent associations and local community organizations.

Counseling

Behavioral-health and counseling services for foster children are coordinated through county departments, healthcare providers, Colorado Medicaid, schools, community mental-health centers, Regional Accountable Entities, and other approved providers. Foster parents also receive consultation and guidance regarding children's emotional, behavioral, developmental, educational, and trauma-related needs.

Crisis Support

Foster parents have access to assistance from their county caseworker, certifying worker, licensed child placement agency, after-hours emergency contacts, crisis-response services, behavioral-health providers, law enforcement when appropriate, and emergency medical services. Foster parents are expected to promptly notify the child's team whenever significant medical, behavioral, placement, legal, or safety concerns develop.

Available

Yes. Colorado permits certified foster families to be considered as adoptive families when adoption becomes a child's approved permanency plan. A family seeking to adopt a child or youth from Colorado foster care must generally first become certified as a foster parent. Foster parents are expected to support reunification, family contact, and the child's current permanency plan while remaining prepared to provide a permanent home if reunification and other preferred options are no longer possible.

Process

Children generally enter Colorado foster care with reunification as the initial permanency goal whenever it can be safely achieved. County departments also identify and assess relatives, kin, siblings, and other people with meaningful connections to the child. If reunification cannot be achieved and the court determines that adoption is the appropriate permanency plan, the county or child placement agency evaluates potential adoptive families. A foster family already caring for the child may be considered based on the child's attachments, safety, stability, sibling relationships, family and cultural connections, Tribe when applicable, special needs, wishes when developmentally appropriate, and overall best interests. Additional adoption-specific documentation, negotiations, legal procedures, and court approval are required before finalization.

Legal Risk

Placement in a foster home does not guarantee adoption. A child may reunify with parents, move to relatives or kin, enter guardianship, or achieve another permanency outcome. Foster parents must support the child's current treatment and permanency plan, including visitation and family relationships, even when they would be willing to adopt if the plan later changes. Legal uncertainty continues until parental rights have been terminated or relinquished, appeals and other legal requirements have been resolved, an adoptive placement has been selected, and the court finalizes the adoption.

Adoption Subsidy

An eligible child or youth adopted from Colorado foster care may qualify for adoption assistance. Assistance may include a negotiated monthly payment, Medicaid coverage, reimbursement of qualifying non-recurring adoption expenses, and certain case services not covered by Medicaid. The amount and services are based on the child's documented needs and the family's circumstances. The prospective adoptive parents and county must negotiate and sign the written adoption-assistance agreement before the adoption is finalized.

Available

Yes. Colorado prioritizes safe placement with kin whenever possible. Kinship caregivers may be relatives, close family friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, godparents, or other adults who have a significant relationship with the child, youth, or family. Kinship placements can reduce disruption and help children preserve family relationships, cultural identity, community connections, school stability, and a sense of belonging.

Licensing Differences

Kinship caregivers may receive an emergency or provisional placement while the county completes required safety and background assessments. Depending on the case and payment arrangement, a kinship caregiver may pursue certification as a kinship foster care home. Certified kinship foster homes complete applicable background checks, training, home assessment, and safety requirements, although Colorado law and policy may permit kinship-specific processes or limited flexibility when child safety is protected. A non-certified kinship arrangement may receive different services and financial support than a fully certified kinship foster home.

Financial Support

Financial support depends on the child's custody status, the caregiver's certification status, federal eligibility, household circumstances, and the permanency arrangement. Potential resources include foster-care maintenance payments for certified kinship homes, Medicaid, childcare assistance, Colorado Works or child-only assistance, Supplemental Security Income when applicable, food assistance, emergency goods, legal support, kinship-navigation services, adoption assistance, and the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program. RGAP may provide negotiated assistance to eligible relative guardians, non-relative guardians, or legal custodians when reunification and adoption are not appropriate permanency goals.

Can I become a foster parent in Colorado if I am single?

Yes. Qualified single adults, married couples, unmarried couples, and adults in committed relationships may become foster parents. The certifying agency evaluates each applicant's stability, maturity, support system, relationships, and ability to safely care for children.

How old must I be to foster in Colorado?

A foster-parent applicant must be at least 21 years old. The certifying county or child placement agency also evaluates maturity, emotional stability, judgment, life experience, and caregiving capacity.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own a suitable house, apartment, condominium, manufactured home, or other residence. The home must meet Colorado's space, sleeping, sanitation, utility, fire-safety, and environmental requirements.

Are there restrictions based on marital status, religion, race, or sexual orientation?

Colorado does not restrict qualified applicants based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or expression, gender identity, or marital status. Every applicant must meet the same applicable safety, training, assessment, and certification standards.

Should I apply through my county or through a child placement agency?

Applicants may pursue certification through the county department of human or social services serving their residence or through a licensed child placement agency. Child placement agencies may specialize in particular geographic areas, age groups, sibling groups, therapeutic care, treatment needs, or other populations.

Can foster parents work full time?

Yes. Employment does not automatically prevent certification. The family must demonstrate reliable plans for supervision, childcare, transportation, family visitation, school, healthcare appointments, court-related activities, training, and emergencies.

How much pre-certification training is required?

Prospective foster and adoptive parents generally complete 27 hours of pre-certification training, in addition to CPR, First Aid, and any agency-specific or specialized training requirements.

How much annual training is required?

Certified foster parents must generally complete at least 20 hours of continuing education during each certification year. Additional hours may be required for specialized, treatment, medical, or child-specific placements.

Do I need CPR and First Aid certification?

Yes. Foster parents must obtain and maintain current CPR and First Aid certification that meets the requirements of their county or child placement agency.

What is a SAFE home study?

SAFE stands for Structured Analysis Family Evaluation. It is a comprehensive assessment involving interviews, references, background information, home visits, and evaluation of the applicants' relationships, parenting abilities, health, finances, support system, trauma awareness, and readiness to foster or adopt.

Will a criminal record automatically disqualify me?

Not every criminal record results in automatic disqualification. Certain serious offenses prohibit certification, while other records may receive an individualized review. The agency considers the nature and date of the offense, rehabilitation, court records, references, current circumstances, and potential risk to children.

Can I foster if I previously had contact with child protective services?

Previous child-welfare involvement does not always result in automatic denial. The certifying agency reviews the nature, findings, severity, circumstances, recency, and resolution of the involvement and determines whether any current safety risk exists.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Yes, when the arrangement complies with Colorado requirements and is appropriate for the children's ages, sexes, gender identities, relationships, developmental needs, privacy, trauma histories, behaviors, and treatment plans. Each child must have an individual bed.

Can I foster babies?

Yes, if the family is certified for infant placements and can meet safe-sleep, feeding, childcare, medical, developmental, visitation, transportation, and supervision requirements. Infant CPR or other age-specific preparation may also be required.

Can I foster teenagers?

Yes. Colorado has a significant need for families willing to foster teenagers and older youth. Families should be prepared to support education, employment, healthy relationships, normalcy, family connections, independent-living skills, and transition planning.

Can I foster sibling groups?

Yes. Colorado seeks families capable of caring for sibling groups so brothers and sisters can remain together whenever safely possible. The home must have sufficient approved capacity, bedroom space, transportation, supervision, and resources.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets and other animals are permitted when they are healthy, appropriately vaccinated, safely managed, and do not create a foreseeable danger to children. The agency may require restrictions or a safety plan for an animal presenting a potential risk.

Can I own firearms and still foster?

Yes. Firearms must be unloaded, locked, and inaccessible to children. Ammunition must generally be stored separately in locked storage, and keys, combinations, or other access devices must remain under adult control.

Can I have a swimming pool or hot tub?

Yes, provided all water hazards comply with applicable safety requirements. The agency may require fencing, locked gates, approved covers, alarms, secured ladders, rescue equipment, direct supervision, water-safety preparation, or a written safety plan.

Can I choose the age of children I foster?

Applicants discuss their preferred ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical needs, developmental disabilities, behaviors, and placement types during certification. Placements must remain within the family's approved capacity and realistic caregiving abilities.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster parents should accept only placements they believe they can safely and appropriately support. Families may ask questions about the child's needs, routines, health, behaviors, visitation, school, transportation, medications, and permanency plan before deciding.

How many children can be placed in my home?

The certifying agency determines the home's capacity based on available space, bedroom arrangements, household composition, caregiver experience, supervision, transportation, and the needs of children served. The certificate identifies the approved capacity and any placement limitations.

Are foster parents expected to support reunification?

Yes. Reunification is generally the first permanency goal when it can be achieved safely. Foster parents are expected to support family visitation, respectful communication, the child's treatment plan, and relationships with parents, siblings, relatives, Tribes, and other important people.

Will I receive a monthly payment?

Certified foster parents receive foster-care maintenance payments intended to help cover the child's ordinary living expenses. The amount varies according to the child's age, needs, placement type, county procedures, and any specialized or treatment-care funding.

Does foster-care reimbursement count as income?

Foster-care maintenance payments are intended to reimburse costs associated with caring for a placed child rather than serve as wages. Applicants must demonstrate that their household can meet its existing financial obligations without depending on foster-care payments.

Do children in Colorado foster care receive healthcare?

Children in foster care generally receive Health First Colorado, Colorado's Medicaid program, or other qualifying medical coverage. Foster parents coordinate services and authorizations with the child's caseworker and healthcare providers.

Is childcare assistance available?

Childcare assistance may be available when needed to support the placement and the foster parent's employment, education, required training, or other approved responsibilities. Availability and authorization vary by county and case.

Is respite care available?

Yes. Respite services may provide temporary relief and help preserve placement stability. Respite providers must satisfy applicable approval requirements, and arrangements should be coordinated with the county or certifying agency.

Can I adopt a child placed in my foster home?

Possibly. If reunification and other preferred permanency options are no longer appropriate and adoption becomes the child's approved plan, the foster family may be considered. Foster placement does not guarantee adoption.

Do I have to become a foster parent before adopting from Colorado foster care?

Yes. A family seeking to adopt a child or youth from Colorado foster care must generally first complete foster-parent certification, including training, background checks, a home study, and the home-safety assessment.

What adoption assistance is available?

An eligible child may receive adoption assistance that includes a negotiated monthly payment, Medicaid, reimbursement of qualifying non-recurring adoption expenses, or certain case services. The written agreement must be negotiated and signed before adoption finalization.

What is kinship care?

Kinship care is care provided by a relative, family friend, neighbor, teacher, coach, godparent, or another adult who has a significant relationship with the child or family. Colorado prioritizes safe kinship placement whenever possible.

Do kinship caregivers have to become certified?

Certification requirements depend on the child's placement, custody, payment arrangement, and case circumstances. Kin may sometimes receive emergency placement before certification, but certification is generally required to operate as a certified kinship foster home and receive the associated maintenance payments.

What is the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program?

The Relative Guardianship Assistance Program, or RGAP, helps eligible children and youth achieve permanency with a relative guardian, non-relative guardian, or legal custodian when reunification and adoption are not appropriate. Assistance is based on the child's documented needs and applicable eligibility requirements.

Can older youth remain in foster care after turning 18?

Eligible young adults may receive continued foster-care, transition, education, housing, or independent-living assistance after age 18 through applicable Colorado and federal programs. Eligibility and available placement options depend on the young adult's legal status and participation requirements.

Who should I contact if I have concerns about child-welfare services?

Begin by contacting the child's caseworker, supervisor, certifying worker, county department, or child placement agency. Complaints or concerns about child-protection services may also be directed to the Office of Colorado's Child Protection Ombudsman.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect in Colorado?

Call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS, or 1-844-264-5437. Call 911 when a child is in immediate danger.

State Agency

Colorado Department of Human Services — Division of Child Welfare

Phone

Colorado Department of Human Services: 303-866-5700; Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-844-CO-4-KIDS, or 1-844-264-5437

Email

Prospective foster parents should submit the CO4Kids Foster Care Inquiry Form or contact the county department or licensed child placement agency serving their residence.

Address

Colorado Department of Human Services, 1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203