Colorado is an agency state, which means that if you are looking to adopt, then you would need to choose between a private or a county placement agency, which means that the cost of adoption is different depending on which option you choose. The private placement agencies can range anywhere between $1,800 and $3,500. View a list of private adoption agencies in Colorado.
Who can adopt in Colorado?
CO4Kids’ view on adoption is that:
Colorado is committed to inclusion. There are no restrictions on who can adopt based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or marital status. You must be at least 21 years or older and ready to make a difference in a child or teen’s life at a time when they need you the most. If you have time and patience to dedicate to helping a young person work through the challenges that often accompany a difficult childhood, we need your help.
Adults who are interested in adopting through the foster care system must first become certified as a foster parent. You must be at least 21 or older, pass a background check, complete training and receive a home study. Foster parents must be able to use sound judgment like a prudent parent and demonstrate a responsible, stable and emotionally mature lifestyle.
Just like in any state, to be qualified as a foster parent, you need to be able to demonstrate helpful and realistic parenting abilities that will be responsible and encouraging. There are requirements to adopt, but for being adopted, there are no limits in age or eligibility. Anyone can be an adoptee and have a family.
The Colorado Department of Human Resources says:
You are never too old to be adopted.
An adult adoption is a court process that creates a legal relationship between a person older than 18 who wishes to be adopted and an adult or adults who wish to adopt. When a petition for an adult adoption is granted by a judicial officer, usually a judge, a formal and lasting relationship is formed. An adult adoption also has the additional benefit of allowing the adult adoptee to receive the emotional and psychological benefits from having a legally recognized family.
Colorado has ensured that adoption and foster care are options for most people, with constant help for those interested in pursuing it. Colorado understands and sees that there is so much to do for the children in the foster care system. It is a significant issue in Colorado with many children in the system, and there is a large need for hopeful and helpful homes for these kids to go to to be raised and loved.
For more information about children in Colorado that need homes, what it takes to adopt, Colorado’s laws, and processes you can go to Heart Gallery Colorado website to get more information.
Adoption creates supportive, loving families for children, teens, and adults. There are three types of adoption: adoption from foster care, international adoption, and domestic infant adoption. Most adoptions in the United States are through the foster care system. Adoption through the foster care system has little to no cost.
Colorado is committed to inclusion. There are no restrictions on who can adopt based on race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
All that matters is that you are at least 21 years or older and that you are ready to make a difference in a child or teen’s life at a time when they need you the most. If you have time and patience to commit to helping a young person work through the challenges that often accompany a difficult childhood, we need your help.
Rebekah Lewis is currently a college student studying social work and sociology. She wants to be a voice for foster kids as well as a child abuse victims advocate. She is a co-founder of a nonprofit organization designed to prevent abuse in the rising generation. She loves to write, hike, and throw random dance parties.