Articles A Complete Guide to Adoption in Colorado (2026)

Written by: Adoption.com Staff | Published on: May 26, 2026

A Complete Guide to Adoption in Colorado (2026)

Welcome to your complete guide to adoption in the Centennial State. Whether you’re an expectant mother exploring options or a family considering adoption, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.

Colorado’s adoption laws offer three clear paths to adoption and its laws reflect a commitment to inclusion. It’s worth noting that unlike many states, Colorado offers no revocation period after termination of parental rights for birth parents to change their minds.

We’ll explain the different ways to adopt, who is eligible to adopt, adoption consent laws, and the state’s home study process. We’ll also provide a list of licensed private adoption agencies and professionals in Colorado, explain how adoption from foster care works, and discuss rights and resources for birth parents.

Colorado Adoption Laws at a Glance

Here’s a quick look at the basics of adoption in Colorado.

Who Can Adopt?	– People who are at least 18 years old. – Minors with court approvalPeople who are married, single, divorced, or widowed. – People of all sexual orientations and gender identities. – People who rent or own. – People with sufficient income and financial stability to take care of the family. Private agencies may have additional requirements about age, income, and other factors.
Residency Requirements	No strict residency requirement for Colorado.
Marital Status	Marital status is not a factor for adoption in Colorado.
Birth Mother Consent	Parents can give consent to terminate parental rights at any point after the child is born. There is no waiting period. Parents must first receive counseling, and then petition the juvenile court. If the child is under one year old at the time of the petition, the court may grant consent without a hearing. The petition submitted must include a disclosure of any payments or gifts connected to the pregnancy or placement.
Revocation Period	There is no revocation period when birth parents can reverse their decision to terminate parental rights. If birth parents have evidence that their consent was obtained by fraud or duress, they can submit it within 91 days of the judge signing the consent order and ask for a revocation.
Birth Father Rights	A birth father’s parental rights must also be terminated before an adoption can take place. There is no formal putative father registry in Colorado. The father must establish parental rights through the Colorado Judicial Branch. If the father has not asserted his paternity, he may be served a notice to terminate parental rights. He has 21 or 35 days (depending on the type of hearing) to respond and file a paternity claim. Otherwise, the court may terminate his rights.

Adoption laws are complex. This is a summary for informational purposes only. Please consult with a qualified Colorado adoption attorney for legal advice.

Paths to Adopting a Child in Colorado

Colorado offers three main ways to adopt a child. Each path has its own process, timeline, and requirements.

Private Infant Adoption

Private infant adoption is when expectant parents voluntarily make an adoption plan and match with an adoptive family. This type of adoption usually involves newborns and infants, and arrangements are often made before the child is born. The expectant parents may request an open adoption, which allows them to maintain some level of contact with the child after placement.

Colorado is an “agency-to-agency” state, which means that private adoptions must be handled by a licensed adoption agency. While some states allow adoptive families that match with expectant parents on their own to hire an attorney and forgo an agency, it’s not possible in Colorado. That said, if you’re pursuing a private adoption, you’ll still want to hire an adoption attorney in addition to the agency to handle legal paperwork and court filings.

The adoptive parents will have to complete a SAFE home study and undergo pre-adoption counseling, and post-adoption services. Agencies may also ask them to create a family profile to show to expectant parents and help find a match. The timeline for this type of adoption varies widely, and it is generally the most expensive type of adoption.

Adopting from Foster Care

Adopting from foster care means welcoming a child who is in Colorado’s foster care system. These are children whose birth parents’ rights have been terminated by the state due to abuse, neglect, or other circumstances. While the goal of Colorado’s foster care system is to eventually reunite children with their families, this is not always possible. In these cases, the children become eligible for adoption.

This is generally the most affordable type of adoption, as the state covers most of the fees and offers post-adoption assistance to children with special needs. More importantly, it provides a loving, permanent home to a child who needs it.

Stepparent or Relative Adoption

Stepparent adoption is when you adopt your spouse’s child from a previous relationship. Relative adoption (called “kinship adoption” in Colorado) is when a family member, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or older sibling, adopts a child. This often happens when parents cannot care for their child and a family member steps in to provide a permanent home.

Both stepparent and relative adoptions are more straightforward and less costly than private adoption in Colorado. Home visits are not necessary for stepparent adoptions and are often waived for relative adoptions.

However, there are a few requirements to keep in mind. The child being adopted must reside in Colorado for at least six months, and those petitioning for adoption must still undergo background checks. In stepparent adoptions, the parental rights of the other birth parent must be terminated, and in relative adoptions, both birth parents’ parental rights must be terminated. In relative adoptions, the child must live with the relative for a year before filing. As with all adoptions in Colorado, children over the age of 12 must also consent to the adoption.

A Deeper Look at Colorado Adoption Laws

Here’s a more detailed explanation of Colorado’s laws about who can adopt, birth parent consent and revocation, and completing the home study.

Who is Eligible to Adopt in Colorado?

Colorado’s laws place very few restrictions on who may adopt, but the home study adds several requirements. According to the state’s laws, any adult over 21 may adopt, and in special cases with court approval, a minor may be able to adopt as well. This means that all races, genders, sexual orientations, and religions may adopt in Colorado, and you may rent or own your house.

However, to qualify to adopt a child, you must complete a home study. This process requires you to pass a background check and show that you are financially and physically able to care for a child.

Also, Colorado requires that adoptions be completed through an agency, and some private agencies may have additional requirements.

Birth Parent Consent in Colorado

Before a child can be placed for adoption, the birth parents must consent to terminate their parental rights. If you’re thinking about making an adoption plan, it’s important to understand this legal process.

There is no waiting period to terminate parental rights – the birth parents may consent any time after the child is born. However, before signing any legal documents, Colorado requires birth parents to meet with a counselor. This can be through their local office of social services or an adoption agency. This step gives support to the birth parents so they can feel confident in their decision.

The birth parents then submit legal documents to the Colorado juvenile court, including proof that they received counseling, and a list of all money, gifts, and services promised to them in relation to the pregnancy and adoption. For infants, the birth parents can request an “expedited order,” which does not require a court hearing.

Colorado has no revocation period for consent to terminate parental rights, so this decision is final. The only exception is if the petition was made under fraud or duress. In these cases, the birth parents have 91 days from when the judge signs the consent to present evidence.

The birth father’s parental rights must be addressed. In most cases, his consent is required. Unmarried fathers must establish parental rights through the Colorado Judicial Branch, as Colorado does not maintain a formal putative father registry. If a father does not assert his paternity, the court may still require that he be notified. He then has 21 or 35 days to respond, depending on the type of hearing. Otherwise, the court may terminate his rights.

The Home Study Process in Colorado

Before adopting, prospective parents in Colorado must complete a home study. The goal is to ensure that the adoptive family can provide a safe and stable environment for the child. The home study may be completed by a county department of human services, a designated qualified individual, or a representative from a state-licensed child placement agency.

The home study includes criminal background checks for everyone in the household, as well as assessments of the prospective parents’ physical and mental health. The home study representative will conduct interviews with all members of the household, and visit the home to make sure that the environment is safe and has ample space.

Once criminal background checks are complete, the prospective parents have 90 days to complete the rest of the home study process.

Find Colorado Adoption Agencies and Professionals

In Colorado, private adoptions must be handled by a licensed state agency. You can verify an agency’s license through the Colorado Licensed Agencies & Facilities Directory, which is maintained by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).

Statewide and National Agencies Serving Colorado

CO4Kids – For adoption from foster care, visit this site managed by CDHS and find your county office.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Colorado – A licensed nonprofit agency with offices in Golden providing services statewide and specializing in domestic infant adoption and surrogacy services.
Bethany Christian Services of Colorado – One of the nation’s largest Christian nonprofits providing adoption, foster care support, and Safe Families programs.
Cherish Children Adoption International – A licensed non-profit agency with an office in Denver that specializes in placing orphans from around the world in permanent loving homes.

Denver Area Agencies

Adoption Options – Agency with a tradition of acceptance and inclusivity offering home studies, placement services, counseling, and post-adoption support.
Adoption Home Studies of Colorado – Agency specializing in home studies for international adoptions and offering pre and post-adoption services. Formerly called A Love Beyond Borders.
Christian Services of Colorado – Based in Centennial, this agency provides domestic and international adoption services that reflect faith-based values.

Colorado Springs Area Agencies

Adoption Institute of Colorado – Full service domestic adoption agency that emphasizes inclusion and diversity.
Griffith Centers – Therapy center with locations in Colorado Springs and Denver that has a foster care and foster-to-adopt program.

Colorado Adoption Attorneys

While Colorado requires a licensed agency for private adoptions, you’ll also need an adoption attorney to handle legal filings and court proceedings. To find an attorney in Colorado, start with the Colorado Directory from the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

Adopting from Foster Care in Colorado

Adopting from foster care in Colorado is a way to grow your family while also providing a much-needed loving home for some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

Children are placed in foster care when their birth parents’ parental rights are terminated by the court, often because of abuse or neglect. The state’s goal is to eventually reunite these children with their birth families. However, this is sometimes not possible. In these cases, the children become eligible for adoption. As of 2026, there were 369 foster children in Colorado waiting on forever homes.

Foster care adoption in Colorado is handled by CDHS. The state pays all necessary fees and expenses for the adoption, so the process has little to no cost. All children adopted from foster care qualify for the state’s medicaid program. Colorado also offers several types of post-adoption assistance, including long term monthly assistance payments for children with special needs.

Children in foster care range in age from babies to teenagers, and the average age of eligible children in Colorado is around 13. Some children are also part of sibling groups who need to be placed together.

If you’re thinking about adopting a child from foster care, now is a great time to get more information and take a closer look at the process. Visit Colorado’s CO4Kids information page to get started.

Resources for Expectant Parents in Colorado

Deciding to make an adoption plan is a deeply personal decision that isn’t always easy. Just remember: you’re not alone. You have rights, and you have options.

In Colorado, you are in control of your adoption plan. You choose the family. You choose how much contact, if any, you want after placement. Colorado does not require you to make any final decisions before your baby is born. You must meet with a counselor first, which the state provides free of charge. This will help you understand your options and your rights so that you can make your plan with confidence.

You can access counseling through your local county social services office, which you can find in the CDHS directory.

You will not have to pay anything. Also, under Colorado law, adoptive families can help cover reasonable costs like rent, food, utilities, maternity clothing, and rides to medical appointments. A licensed adoption agency can help you understand what you may qualify for.

The decision to place your child for adoption is only final after a judge signs the consent order.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, free and confidential support is available to help you explore your options:

All-Options Talkline – Free, confidential, judgment-free support on all pregnancy options. Call 1-888-493-0092, available Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Colorado Department of Human Services – Find your local county social services office for state-required adoption counseling and community pregnancy resources.
Pregnancy Options Colorado – Free, non-judgmental counseling for expectant mothers considering parenting or adoption, statewide through Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. Call or text 24/7: 720-838-5689