Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption - Colorado
Who May Adopt
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 14-1-101; 19-5-202; 19-5-203
The following persons may adopt:
- Any person who is age 21 or older, including a foster parent
- A minor upon court approval
- A person jointly with a living spouse, unless they are legally separated
- Any person desiring to adopt an adult as heir at law
A person who has a living partner in a civil union from whom the person is not legally separated shall petition jointly with the partner, unless the partner is the natural parent of the child to be adopted or has previously adopted the child.
A person who is a partner in a civil union may adopt a child of the other partner through the same process outlined in § 19-5-203 for a stepparent adoption and shall be considered a stepparent for the purpose of determining whether a child is available for adoption pursuant to § 19-5-203(1).
A child may be available for adoption in a second-parent adoption upon written and verified consent that the child has a sole legal parent, and the sole legal parent wishes the child to be adopted by a specified second adult.
Who May Be Adopted
Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 19-5-201; 14-1-101
Any child under age 18 who legally available for adoption and is present in the State may be adopted. A person who is over age 18 but under age 21 may be adopted as a child, if approved by the court.
Any person may adopt an adult as heir at law provided that the person sought to be adopted, or the adoptee's conservator or other representative, consents to such adoption. Any action for adoption of an adult shall follow the same procedure to the extent practicable, as provided in title 19, article 5, part 2, concerning the adoption of children.
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 19-5-206
The placement of a child legally available for adoption must not be made by any entity other than the following:
- The court
- The county Department of Human or Social Services
- A licensed child-placing agency