2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 19 - CHILDREN'S CODE (§§ 19-1-101 — 19-7-315) › Article 3 - DEPENDENCY AND NEGLECT (§§ 19-3-100.5 — 19-3-905) › Part 5 - PETITION, ADJUDICATION, DISPOSITION (§§ 19-3-500.2 — 19-3-508) › Section 19-3-508 - Neglected or dependent child - disposition - concurrent planning - definition

(1)
When a child or youth 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-two days, unless the court finds that the best interests of the child or youth will be served by granting a delay. In a county designated pursuant to section
19-1-123
, if the child or youth is less than six years of age at the time a petition is filed in accordance with section
19-3-501(2)
, the court shall enter a decree of disposition within twenty-eight days after the adjudication and shall not grant a delay unless good cause is shown and unless the court finds that the best interests of the child or youth will be served by granting the delay. It is the intent of the general assembly that the dispositional hearing be held on the same day as the adjudicatory hearing, whenever possible. If a delay is granted, the court shall set forth the reasons why a delay is necessary and the minimum amount of time needed to resolve the reasons for the delay and shall schedule the hearing at the earliest possible time following the delay. When the proposed disposition is termination of the parent-child legal relationship, the hearing on termination must not be held on the same date as the adjudication, and the time limits set forth above for dispositional hearings do not apply. When the proposed disposition is termination of the parent-child legal relationship, the court may continue the dispositional hearing to the earliest available date for a hearing in accordance with subsection (3)(a) of this section and part 6 of this article 3. When the decree does not terminate the parent-child legal relationship, the court shall approve an appropriate treatment plan that must include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following provisions of subsections (1)(a) to (1)(d) of this section:
(a)
The court may place the child in the legal custody of one or both parents or the guardian, with or without protective supervision, under such conditions as the court deems necessary and appropriate. In a county designated pursuant to section
19-1-123
, if the child is under six years of age at the time a petition is filed in accordance with section
19-3-501(2)
and is placed with a parent or guardian who is a named respondent in a petition filed pursuant to section
19-3-502
, the treatment plan shall include a requirement that the family obtain services specific to the family's needs if available in the community where the family resides and based on the social study and reports provided pursuant to section
19-1-107
(2.5).
(b)
The court may place the child or youth in the legal custody of a relative or kin, including the child's or youth's grandparent, or other suitable person, with or without protective supervision, under such conditions as the court deems necessary and appropriate. If a child or youth is not placed with a parent pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section, the court shall give preference to placement with a grandparent or other relative or kin. If the county department locates a capable, willing, and available relative or kin for the child or youth, it is presumed that placement of the child or youth with a relative or kin is in the best interests of the child or youth. The presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence, giving primary consideration to the child's or youth's mental, physical, and emotional needs, including the child's or youth's preference regarding placement. The court shall consider whether a proposed placement would hinder efforts to reunite the parent and the child or youth and the parent's preference regarding placement. A parent's objection to placement with a particular relative or kin is not alone sufficient to show that the proposed placement would hinder reunification.
(c)
The court may place legal custody in the county department of human or social services or a child placement agency for placement in a foster care home or other child care facility. When the child is part of a sibling group and the sibling group is being placed out of the home, if the county department locates an appropriate, capable, willing, and available joint placement for all of the children in the sibling group, it is presumed that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is in the best interests of the children. Such presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is not in the best interests of a child or of the children.
(d)
(I)
The court may order that the child be examined or treated by a physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, or psychologist or that the child receive other special care and may place the child in a hospital or other suitable facility for such purposes; except that the child may not be placed in a mental health facility operated by the department of human services until the child has received a behavioral or mental health disorder prescreening resulting in a recommendation that the child be placed in a facility for evaluation pursuant to section
27-65-106
, or a hearing has been held by the court after notice to all parties, including the department of human services. An order for an emergency mental health hold must not be entered unless a hearing is held and evidence indicates that the prescreening report is inadequate, incomplete, or incorrect and that competent professional evidence is presented by a mental health professional that indicates that a behavioral or mental health disorder is present in the child. The court shall make, prior to the hearing, such orders regarding temporary custody of the child as are deemed appropriate.
(II)
Placement in any facility operated by the department of human services shall continue for such time as ordered by the court or until the professional person in charge of the child's treatment concludes that the treatment or placement is no longer appropriate. If placement or treatment is no longer deemed appropriate, the court shall be notified and a hearing held for further disposition of the child within five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The court shall make, prior to the hearing, such orders regarding temporary custody of the child as are deemed appropriate.
(e)
(I)
Except where the proposed disposition is termination of the parent-child legal relationship, the caseworker assigned to the case shall submit an appropriate treatment plan and the court shall approve an appropriate treatment plan involving the child named and each respondent named and served in the action. If a child's parent is incarcerated in a department of corrections facility, a private correctional facility under contract with the department of corrections, or a jail, the caseworker assigned to the case, upon knowledge of the incarceration, shall include information in the report that details the services and treatment available to a parent at the facility or jail where the parent is incarcerated or the caseworker's efforts to obtain that information. The county department shall communicate with the facility or jail where the parent is incarcerated regarding the requirements of the court-ordered treatment plan. However, the court may find that an appropriate treatment plan cannot be devised as to a particular respondent because the child has been abandoned as set forth in section
19-3-604(1)(a)
and the parents cannot be located, or because the child has been adjudicated as neglected or dependent based upon section
19-3-102(2)
, or due to the unfitness of the parents as set forth in section
19-3-604(1)(b)
. When the court finds that an appropriate treatment plan cannot be devised, the court shall conduct a permanency hearing as set forth in section
19-3-702(1)
, unless a motion for termination of parental rights has been filed within thirty days after the court's finding.
(II)
Repealed.
(III)
If, after the dispositional hearing, the child's parent becomes continuously incarcerated in a department of corrections facility, a private correctional facility under contract with the department of corrections, or a jail for more than thirty-five days, then the caseworker assigned to the case, upon knowledge of incarceration, shall provide information that details the services and treatment available to a parent at the facility or jail where the parent is incarcerated or the caseworker's efforts to obtain the information at the next scheduled court hearing.
(2)
Before a disposition other than that provided in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section is made, it shall be established by a preponderance of the evidence that a separation of the child from the parents or guardian is in the best interests of the child.
(3)
(a)
The court may enter a decree terminating the parent-child legal relationship of one or both parents pursuant to part 6 of this article. Pursuant to section
19-3-602(1)
, in a county designated pursuant to section
19-1-123
, if the child is under six years of age at the time a petition is filed in accordance with section
19-3-501(2)
, the court shall hear a motion for termination within one hundred twenty days after such motion is filed, and shall not grant a delay unless good cause is shown and unless the court finds that the best interests of the child will be served by granting a delay in accordance with the requirements of section
19-3-104
.
(b)
Upon the entry of a decree terminating the parent-child legal relationship of both parents, of the sole surviving parent, or of the only known parent, the court may:
(I)
Vest the county department of human or social services or a child placement agency with the legal custody and guardianship of the person of a child for the purposes of placing the child for adoption; or
(II)
Make any other disposition provided in paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of subsection (1) of this section that the court finds appropriate.
(b.5)
In making a disposition pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), the court may give preference to making a disposition as provided in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section, if in the best interests of the child.
(c)
Upon the entry of a decree terminating the parent-child legal relationship of one parent, the court may:
(I)
Leave the child in the legal custody of the other parent and discharge the proceedings; or
(II)
Make any other disposition provided in subsection (1) of this section that the court finds appropriate.
(4)
(Deleted by amendment, L. 97, p. 520, § 8, effective July 1, 1997.)
(5)
(a)
In placing the legal custody or guardianship of the person of a child or youth with an individual or a private agency, the court shall give primary consideration to the welfare of the child or youth but shall take into consideration the religious and cultural preferences of the child or youth or of The parents, whenever practicable.
(b)
(I)
If the court finds that placement out of the home is necessary and is in the best interests of the child or youth and the community, the court shall place the child or youth with a relative or kin, including the child's or youth's grandparent, as provided in subsection (1)(b) of this section, In considering the placement, the court shall give primary consideration to the child's or youth's mental, physical, and emotional needs, including the child's or youth's preference regarding placement. The court shall consider whether a proposed placement would hinder efforts to reunite the parent and the child or youth and the parent's preference regarding placement. A parent's objection to placement with a particular relative or kin is not alone sufficient to show that the proposed placement would hinder reunification. The court shall place the child or youth in the facility or setting that most appropriately meets the needs of the child or youth, the family, and the community. In making its decision as to proper placement, the court shall utilize the evaluation for placement prepared pursuant to section
19-1-107
. If the court deviates from the recommendations of the evaluation for placement in a manner that results in a difference in the cost of the disposition ordered by the court and the cost of the disposition recommended in the evaluation, the court shall make specific findings of fact relating to its decision, including the monthly cost of the placement, if ordered. The court shall send a copy of such findings to the chief justice of the supreme court, who shall report annually on such orders and findings of fact to the joint budget committee, the public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives, and the health and human services committee of the senate, or any successor committees.
(II)
Notwithstanding subsection (5)(b)(I) of this section to the contrary, when the child or youth is part of a sibling group and the sibling group is being placed out of the home, if the county department locates A capable, willing, and available joint placement for all of the children or youth in the sibling group, it is presumed that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is in the best interests of the children or youth. The presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence that placement of the entire sibling group in the joint placement is not in the best interests of a child, children, or youth.
(III)
If the county department locates a capable, willing, and available relative or kin for the child or youth, it is presumed that placement of the child or youth with the relative or kin is in the best interests of the child or youth. The presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence, giving primary consideration to the child's or youth's mental, physical, and emotional needs, including the child's or youth's preference regarding placement. The court shall consider whether a proposed placement would hinder efforts to reunite the parent and the child or youth and the parent's preference regarding placement. A parent's objection to placement with a particular relative or kin is not alone sufficient to show that the proposed placement would hinder reunification. Placement with a relative or kin must be considered and investigated when the child or youth enters foster care, is moved from a foster home, or returns to foster care after the child or youth has achieved permanency. As used in this subsection (5), "relative" includes a member of the child's or youth's birth family, adoptive family, and kin, regardless of whether parental rights were terminated.
(6)
The court may grant a new hearing as provided in the Colorado rules of juvenile procedure.
(7)
Efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian or custodian, including identifying appropriate in-state and out-of-state permanent placement options, may be made concurrently with reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify the family.
(8)
When entering a decree placing the child or youth in the legal custody of a relative or placing the child or youth in the legal custody of a county department for placement in a foster care home, the court shall ensure that the child's or youth's placement at the time of the hearing is in the best interests of the child or youth and shall inquire about documentation that the county department or a licensed child placement agency has adequately screened the foster care provider or the family member who is seeking to care for the child or youth and any adult residing in that home and that all of the criminal history record checks and other background checks have been completed as required pursuant to section 26-6-910 or 19-3-406.
Amended by 2023 Ch. 191,§ 6, eff. 1/1/2024.
Amended by 2023 Ch. 367,§ 5, eff. 8/7/2023.
Amended by 2023 Ch. 303,§ 23, eff. 8/7/2023.
Amended by 2023 Ch. 20, § 3, eff. 8/7/2023.
Amended by 2022 Ch. 451, § 39, eff. 8/10/2022.
Amended by 2022 Ch. 123, § 40, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2018 Ch. 38, § 62, eff. 8/8/2018.
Amended by 2017 Ch. 263, § 166, eff. 5/25/2017.
Amended by 2015 Ch. 263, § 11, eff. 6/2/2015.
L. 87: Entire title R&RE, p. 785, § 1, effective October 1. L. 91: (1)(b), (3), and (5)(b) amended, p. 265, § 9, effective May 31. L. 94: IP(1), (1)(a), IP(4), and (4)(a) amended, p. 2054, § 7, effective July 1; (1)(d) amended, p. 2685, § 205, effective July 1. L. 96: (1)(e)(II) repealed, p. 85, § 11, effective March 20; IP(1) and (1)(c) amended, p. 265, § 17, effective July 1; (5)(b) amended, p. 1246, § 116, effective August 7. L. 97: IP(1), (1)(e)(I), and (4) amended, p. 520, § 8, effective July 1; (1)(e)(I) and (5)(b) amended, pp. 1439, 1441, §§ 15, 18, effective July 1. L. 98: (1)(e)(I) amended and (7) added, p. 1418, § 5, effective July 1. L. 99: (1)(e)(I) amended, p. 912, § 7, effective July 1. L. 2001: (2) amended, p. 847, § 9, effective June 1. L. 2003: (1)(c) and (5)(b) amended, p. 2625, § 6, effective June 5; IP(1) and (3)(a) amended, p. 1225, § 1, effective August 6. L. 2007: (7) amended, p. 1018, § 8, effective May 22. L. 2010: (1)(d)(I) amended, (SB 10 -175), ch. 188, p. 793, § 46, effective April 29. L. 2015: (8) added, (SB 15-087), ch. 263, p. 1019, § 11, effective June 2. L. 2017: IP(1) and (1)(d)(I) amended, (SB 17-242), ch. 263, p. 1317, § 166, effective May 25. L. 2018: (1)(c) and (3)(b)(I) amended, (SB 18-092), ch. 38, p. 422, § 62, effective August 8.
(1) This section was contained in a title that was repealed and reenacted in 1987. Provisions of this section, as it existed in 1987, are similar to those contained in 19-3-111 as said section existed in 1986, the year prior to the repeal and reenactment of this title.
(2) Amendments to subsection (1)(e)(I) by Senate Bill 97-218 and Senate Bill 97-71 were harmonized.
(3) Although subsection (7) refers to the term "custodian", reference to the term "custody", and related terms, have been changed in other places in the Colorado Revised Statutes to correspond with the use of the term "parental responsibilities" as described in §
14-10-124
, C.R.S.
2023 Ch. 367, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
2023 Ch. 303, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
2023 Ch. 20, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
For the legislative declaration contained in the 1996 act amending subsection (5)(b), see section 1 of chapter 237, Session Laws of Colorado 1996. For the legislative declaration contained in the 1999 act amending subsection (1)(e)(I), see section 1 of chapter 233, Session Laws of Colorado 1999. For the legislative declaration contained in the 2001 act amending subsection (2), see section 1 of chapter 241, Session Laws of Colorado 2001. For the legislative declaration in SB 17-242, see section 1 of chapter 263, Session Laws of Colorado 2017. For the legislative declaration in SB 18-092, see section 1 of chapter 38, Session Laws of Colorado 2018.