The general assembly hereby finds and declares that: It is beneficial for a child who is removed from his or her home and placed in foster care to be able to continue relationships with his or her brothers and sisters, regardless of age, in order that the siblings may share their strengths and association in […]
Whenever it appears to a law enforcement officer or other person that a child is or appears to be within the court’s jurisdiction, as provided in this article 3, the law enforcement officer or other person may refer the matter to the court, which shall make a preliminary investigation to determine whether the interests of […]
The petition and all subsequent court documents in any proceedings brought under this article shall be entitled “The People of the State of Colorado, in the Interest of , a child (or children) and Concerning , Respondent.” The petition shall be verified, and the statements in the petition may be made upon information and belief. […]
After a petition has been filed, the court shall promptly issue a summons reciting briefly the substance of the petition. The summons shall also contain a statement, when appropriate, that the termination of the parent-child legal relationship is a possible remedy under the proceedings and shall set forth the constitutional and legal rights of the […]
Any person summoned or required to appear as provided in section 19-3-503 who has acknowledged service and fails to appear without reasonable cause may be proceeded against for contempt of court. If after reasonable effort the summons cannot be served or if the welfare of the child requires that he be brought immediately into the […]
At the adjudicatory hearing, the court shall consider whether the allegations of the petition are supported by a preponderance of the evidence; except that jurisdictional matters of the age and residence of the child shall be deemed admitted by or on behalf of the child unless specifically denied prior to the adjudicatory hearing. Evidence tending […]
[ Editor’s note: This version of subsection (1)(a) is effective until July 1, 2024.] If it appears from the evidence presented at an adjudicatory hearing or otherwise that a child may have an intellectual and developmental disability, as defined in article 10.5 of title 27, the court shall refer the child to the community-centered board […]
After making an order of adjudication, the court shall hear evidence on the question of the proper disposition best serving the interests of the child and the public. Such evidence shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the social study and other reports as provided in section 19-1-107. Prior to any dispositional hearing, the […]
When a child has been adjudicated to be neglected or dependent, the court may enter a decree of disposition the same day, but in any event it shall do so within forty-five days unless the court finds that the best interests of the child will be served by granting a delay. In a county designated […]
