The great state of Colorado has been known for its beautiful rocky mountains, excellent snowboarding, and being the home of the US Olympic Training Center. However, there are many things about adoption in Colorado that also make this western state unique. Read the list below for ten things you might not have known about Colorado adoption.
And don’t forget to check out this complete guide to adopting in Colorado. It’s got tons of great information whether you’re adopting an infant, from foster care, internationally, or a stepchild.
1. You do not have to live in Colorado to adopt a child from Colorado.
2. Colorado offers post-adoption financial assistance.
3. At 18 or older, adoptees have access to all adoption records. You can read this guide to search and reunion.
4. Birth parents have access to all adoption records.
5. Many children in Colorado may be labeled as having special needs, which may be defined by:
- A child who has siblings who need to remain together.
- A child who may be 5 years of age or older,
- The child may be African-American or Hispanic.
- There’s a chance the child has a developmental disability such as Down syndrome.
- There is also a chance the child has been diagnosed as having a physical or emotional disability including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
6. Colorado does not restrict potential adoptive families based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientations, gender identity, or marital status. Of course, if you have a history of child abuse, you’ll be immediately disqualified for any type of adoption.
7. To adopt in Colorado, you must be at least 21 years of age, become a certified foster parent, pass a background check, complete training, and a home study, and you must be able to demonstrate that you possess sound judgment and live a mature lifestyle. Sounds doable, right?
8. No paternity registry exists in Colorado.
9. There is no required timeframe for the child to live with adoptive parents before finalization.
10. Post-adoption contact agreements are not legally enforceable.
Are you ready to pursue adoption? Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98 to connect with compassionate, nonjudgmental adoption specialists who can help you get started on the journey of a lifetime.
