Celebrating the Heart of Child Welfare: Honoring 2025 Nominees

In 2026, Division of Child Welfare county intermediaries and leadership teams traveled across the state to celebrate some of the people who make a difference every day in the lives of children, youth, and families.

Across all six regions, 47 individual staff members and four teams from 25 counties were nominated for their outstanding child welfare work in 2025. Each nomination reflected the dedication, compassion, creativity, and leadership that strengthen child welfare practice and help families feel supported and valued.

These nominees were recognized for many of the qualities that define exceptional child welfare professionals: meaningful family engagement, thoughtful care and collaboration, excellent communication, innovative ideas, and leadership within their teams and communities. Their work demonstrates the power of building relationships, listening to families, working together, and finding new ways to make a difference.

The celebrations were as unique as the people being honored. County commissioners, Child Welfare divisions, and entire Human Services Departments joined together to recognize staff and teams whose contributions have made a lasting impact. These gatherings offered an opportunity not only to celebrate individual accomplishments, but also to recognize the collective commitment of child welfare professionals across Colorado.

Behind every nomination is a story of someone showing up for children and families—someone who listened when it mattered, found a creative solution, supported a colleague, strengthened a partnership, or helped a family navigate a difficult moment. Together, these stories reflect the heart of child welfare work.

To all 47 individual nominees and four nominated teams: thank you for the care, dedication, and leadership you bring to your communities. Your work matters, your contributions are valued, and the people you serve are better because of what you do.

Congratulations to all of the 2025 nominees, and thank you for helping make child welfare stronger—one relationship, one family, and one community at a time.  

Several counties shared pictures with DCW from their celebrations in 2025. Check them out! Pictures from the 2025 County Child Welfare Appreciation Celebrations (Google Drive Link) You can also read blogs about some of the caseworkers who were recognized here. 

You can now nominate using this form (Google Form) for 20206 Child Welfare Appreciation nominations! This form will remain open until December 1, 2026. 

In addition, this year we will also recognize child welfare staff who have 100% timely monthly child visits (MCV) documented. While this is not a nomination category within child welfare appreciation, it is an area of practice central to our work that impacts safety, permanency and well-being. Therefore, those who have 100% timely MCV documentation will be identified by the Division of Child Welfare’s staff who monitor data driven performance measures.