Preguntas Frecuentes

The Children’s Bureau, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, develops annual Child Maltreatment reports, which include data provided by the states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems.  The most recent report entitled Child Maltreatment 2014 was released on January 25, 2016 and presents national data about child abuse and neglect known to child protective services agencies in the United States during federal fiscal year 2014. 

Persons responsible for abuse or neglect can be parents, or other caretakers such as relatives, babysitters and foster parents who have harmed a child in their care.  Harm caused to a child by someone other than their primary caregivers, like an acquaintance or stranger, may also be reportable as child abuse and/or neglect.  

Intra-familial abuse

• Any case of abuse that occurs within a family context
• Inflicted by a child’s parent, stepparent, guardian, legal custodian, or relative, by a spousal equivalent, or by any other person who resides in the child’s home or who is regularly in the child’s home for the purpose of exercising authority over, or care for the child

Action Steps: 

• Make a child protection report to child protective services 
• If you are uncertain whether an act constitutes child abuse or neglect, call child protective services, and they will determine if the case should be referred to law enforcement.
• Remember, both law enforcement and child protective services are part of the child protection safety net, and they communicate reports with each other if needed.

Institutional abuse

• Occurs in any public or private facility in the state that provides child care out of the home, supervision, or maintenance.
• “Facility” includes family child care homes, foster care home, and any other facility subject to the Colorado “Child Care Licensing Act,” including any agency that provides physical or psychological care for children or youth such as group homes, residential care facilities, and home-based therapeutic providers.

Action Steps: 

• Make a child protection report to child protective services. 
• If you are uncertain whether an act constitutes child abuse and/or neglect, call child protective services, and they will determine if the case should be referred to law enforcement.
• Remember, both law enforcement and child protective services are part of the child protection safety net, and they communicate reports with each other if needed.

Third party abuse

• A case in which a child is subjected to abuse by any person who is not a parent, stepparent, guardian, legal custodian, spousal equivalent, or any other person not included in the definition of intra-familial abuse.
• Is a criminal violation

Action Steps:

• Contact local law enforcement.  
• If you are witnessing a crime in progress, call 911 immediately.

Perpetrators by relationship to their victim
When looking at the demographics of perpetrators by relationship to their victim, 80.3 percent of perpetrators were parents, 6.1 percent were relatives other than parents, and 4.2 percent were unmarried partners of parents.

Perpetrators with other relationships accounted for 4.6 percent, and those with an unknown relationship to their victim accounted for 3.1 percent. According to comments provided by the States, the “other” perpetrator relationship may include a sibling, the victim’s boyfriend or girlfriend, a stranger, or a babysitter. 

Of the perpetrators who were parents, 88.5 percent were biological parents, 3.9 percent were step-parents, and 0.7 percent were adoptive parents.  The remaining 7 percent were of unknown parental relationship.

Perpetrators by age
When looking at the demographics of perpetrators by age, we can see that 39.6 percent of perpetrators were in the 25 to 34 year age group, 23.4 percent were in the 35 to 44 year age group, 19.2 percent were in the 18 to 24 year age group, and 9.4 percent were in the 45 to 54 year age group. Perpetrators age 55 and older accounted for less than 4 percent, and perpetrators younger than 18 years accounted for fewer than 3 percent. The age of 2.2 percent of perpetrators was unknown.

Perpetrators by gender
When looking at the demographic of perpetrators by gender, of the total number of perpetrators listed, 274,110 (53.5 percent) were female, while 232,102 (45.3 percent) were male. 

The gender of 5,828 perpetrators (1.1 percent) was unknown.

Perpetrators by race and ethnicity
When looking at the demographics of perpetrators by race and ethnicity, the racial distributions of perpetrators were similar to the race of their victims. The three largest percentages of perpetrators were of White (48.9 percent), African-American (19.9 percent), and Hispanic (18.9 percent) racial or ethnic descent.

The remaining 3.6 percent were other races or ethnicities, including American Indian or Alaska Native, Multiple Race, Asian, or Pacific Islander. The race or ethnicity of 8.7 percent of perpetrators was unknown.

Perpetrators by type of maltreatment
When looking at the demographic of perpetrators by type of maltreatment, 60.2 percent of perpetrators neglected children, 10.2 percent of perpetrators physically abused children, and 6.3 percent of perpetrators sexually abused children. Another 15.4 percent of perpetrators were associated with more than one type of maltreatment.

Source:  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Maltreatment 2012, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/resource/child-maltreatment-2012

Defining child abuse and/or neglect can seem complicated.  Definitions are established at the Federal level, the State level, and also through the Court system. Federal law defines child abuse and/or neglect through the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), as, at a minimum, any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm.

While CAPTA sets Federal minimum standards for States that accept CAPTA funding, each State provides its own definitions of maltreatment within civil and criminal statutes. 

Colorado law defines child abuse and/or neglect in Section 19-1-13 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, as follows:

(1) (a) «Abuse» or «child abuse or neglect», as used in part 3 of article 3 of this title, means an act or omission in one of the following categories that threatens the health or welfare of a child:

I. Any case in which a child exhibits evidence of skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, failure to thrive, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, or death and either: Such condition or death is not justifiably explained; the history given concerning such condition is at variance with the degree or type of such condition or death; or the circumstances indicate that such condition may not be the product of an accidental occurrence;

II. Any case in which a child is subjected to unlawful sexual behavior as defined in section 16-22-102 (9), C.R.S.;

III.Any case in which a child is a child in need of services because the child’s parents, legal guardian, or custodian fails to take the same actions to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision that a prudent parent would take. The requirements of this subparagraph (III) shall be subject to the provisions of section 19-3-103.

IV. Any case in which a child is subjected to emotional abuse. As used in this subparagraph (IV), «emotional abuse» means an identifiable and substantial impairment of the child’s intellectual or psychological functioning or development or a substantial risk of impairment of the child’s intellectual or psychological functioning or development.

V. Any act or omission described in section 19-3-102 (1) (a), (1) (b), or (1) (c);

VI. Any case in which, in the presence of a child, or on the premises where a child is found, or where a child resides, a controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5), C.R.S., is manufactured or attempted to be manufactured;

VII. Any case in which a child tests positive at birth for either a schedule I controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-203, C.R.S., or a schedule II controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-204, C.R.S., unless the child tests positive for a schedule II controlled substance as a result of the mother’s lawful intake of such substance as prescribed.

When a family is involved in a Dependency and Neglect action through the Colorado Civil Courts system, the Court has their own definitions when making a determination if a child is neglected or dependent in the Court’s eyes. This definition is outlined in section 19-3-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes:

(1) A child is neglected or dependent if:

a. A parent, guardian, or legal custodian has abandoned the child or has subjected him or her to mistreatment or abuse or a parent, guardian, or legal custodian has suffered or allowed another to mistreat or abuse the child without taking lawful means to stop such mistreatment or abuse and prevent it from recurring;

b. The child lacks proper parental care through the actions or omissions of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian;

c. The child’s environment is injurious to his or her welfare;

d. A parent, guardian, or legal custodian fails or refuses to provide the child with proper or necessary subsistence, education, medical care, or any other care necessary for his or her health, guidance, or well-being;

e. The child is homeless, without proper care, or not domiciled with his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian through no fault of such parent, guardian, or legal custodian;

f. The child has run away from home or is otherwise beyond the control of his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian;

g. The child tests positive at birth for either a schedule I controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-203, C.R.S., or a schedule II controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-204, C.R.S., unless the child tests positive for a schedule II controlled substance as a result of the mother’s lawful intake of such substance as prescribed.

(2) A child is neglected or dependent if:

a. A parent, guardian, or legal custodian has subjected another child or children to an identifiable pattern of habitual abuse; and

b. Such parent, guardian, or legal custodian has been the respondent in another proceeding under this article in which a court has adjudicated another child to be neglected or dependent based upon allegations of sexual or physical abuse, or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such parent’s, guardian’s, or legal custodian’s abuse or neglect has caused the death of another child; and 

c. The pattern of habitual abuse described in (a) of this subsection and the type of abuse described in the allegations specified in (b) of this subsection pose a current threat to the child.

Abuse does not include discipline administered by a parent, guardian, or custodian to his or her child provided that discipline is reasonable in manner, moderate in degree, or otherwise does not constitute cruelty. Physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, may not be considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child. This distinction depends on several factors, including age, circumstances, location, triggering events, recurrence, developmental disability, physical or mental health of the child.

Discipline itself should never involve:

•  Burning, biting, cutting
•  Striking with a closed fist
•  Inflicting injury by shaking or kicking
•  Non-accidental injury to a child under 18 months
•  Interfering with a child’s breathing
•  Threatening a child with a dangerous weapon

Source:  The Child Welfare Information Gateway, Discipline vs. Abuse 

Yes. Human trafficking of a child is a form of child abuse where an individual profits or otherwise benefits from the control and exploitation of a child or teen younger than 18. Additionally, young people can traffic themselves. 

Traffickers frequently target vulnerable children and teens with histories of abuse and neglect and they use violence, threats, lies, false promises, debt bondage or other forms of manipulation to gain control and continue exploiting a child or teen. 

There are two forms of child trafficking:

Sex trafficking:

Sex trafficking occurs when a child engages in a sex act, including but not limited to sexual intercourse, stripping or pornography, in exchange for something of value (food, shelter, drugs, money, etc.). A child or teen younger than 18 cannot consent to a commercial sex act.

Labor trafficking:

Labor Trafficking occurs when a child or teen is forced, threatened or manipulated into working for the benefit of another person. Young people who experience labor trafficking may be subjected to involuntary servitude or debt bondage. Work can include both formal and informal employment or illegal activities. Labor trafficking can occur anywhere, including in private homes, restaurants, the hospitality industry, traveling sales crews or forced drug sales.

Young people can experience both sex and labor trafficking. Child trafficking can also overlap with other forms of child abuse and neglect, such as failure to protect or provide for basic needs, educational and medical neglect,  threatened injury or sexual abuse.

Learn more about child trafficking. 

Common work and living conditions – the Individual(s) in question:

• Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
• Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
• Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp/manager
• Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
• Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
• Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
• Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
• Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
• High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)
• Exhibits poor mental health or abnormal behavior
  • Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid
  • Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement
  • Avoids eye contact
• Exhibits poor physical health
  • Lacks health care
  • Appears malnourished
  • Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
• Exhibits a lack of control
  • Has few or no personal possessions
  • Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account
  • Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
  • Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)

Other Signs

•  Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address
•  Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or does not know what city he/she is in
•  Loss of sense of time
•  Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

Source:  Polaris Project, Recognizing the Signs  

While online computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizons and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, they can also be exposed to dangers as they hit the road exploring the information highway. There are individuals who attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of online services and the Internet.

Some of these individuals gradually seduce their targets through the use of attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts. These individuals are often willing to devote considerable amounts of time, money, and energy to this process. They listen to and empathize with the problems of children. They will be aware of the latest music, hobbies, and interests of children. These individuals attempt to gradually lower children’s inhibitions by slowly introducing sexual context and content into their conversations. There are other individuals, however, who immediately engage in sexually explicit conversation with children. Some offenders primarily collect and trade child-pornographic images, while others seek face-to-face meetings with children via online contacts. It is important for parents to understand that children can be indirectly victimized through conversations, such as “chat,” as well as the transfer of sexually explicit information and material.

Computer-sex offenders may also be evaluating children they come in contact with online for future face-to-face contact and direct victimization. Parents and children should remember that a computer-sex offender can be any age or sex.  The person does not have to fit the caricature of a dirty, unkempt, older man wearing a raincoat to be someone who could harm a child.

Children, especially adolescents, are sometimes interested in and curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material. They may be moving away from the total control of parents and seeking to establish new relationships outside their family. Because they are curious, children and adolescents sometimes use their on-line access to actively seek out such materials and individuals. Sex offenders targeting children will use and exploit these characteristics and needs. Some adolescent children may also be attracted to and lured by online offenders closer to their age who, although not technically child molesters, may be dangerous. Nevertheless, they can be seduced and manipulated by a clever offender, and do not fully understand or recognize the potential danger of these contacts.

Signs that children might be at risk online:

•  Child/youth spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night
•  Pornography found on child/youth’s computer
•  Child/youth receives phone calls from people you don’t know
•  Child/youth is making calls, sometimes long distance, to unrecognizable numbers
•  Child/youth receives mail, gifts, or packages from someone you don’t know
•  Child/youth turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room
•  Child/youth becomes withdrawn from their family
•  Child/youth is using an on-line account belonging to someone else

If a cybercrime is committed by a parent or legal guardian, it is “abuse” and should be reported to child protective services. If the act is performed by anyone else, it is a criminal matter and should be handled by law enforcement.

Source:  Federal Bureau of Investigation, A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety

When thinking about leaving children alone, whether for a short or long time, it is important for parents to consider the risks involved. There are many potential risks to children that must be considered. However, it is important to realize that there can be risks for parents as well. Parents in all states are legally responsible for their children’s welfare until they reach adulthood. Part of caring for children is providing adequate supervision. Under some circumstances a parent can be charged with neglect for leaving children unattended.

The laws of Colorado do not set a specific age after which a child legally can stay home alone. Unfortunately, age is not a very good indicator of a child’s maturity level. Some 15-year-olds may not be ready. For example, it is inappropriate to leave a 15-year-old alone if the teen is chemically dependent, has emotional problems, or is prone to vandalism or other destructive or illegal acts. In general, Colorado has accepted the age of 12 years as a guideline for when it might be appropriate for a child to be left alone for short periods of time. This standard is based upon the Colorado Child Labor Law, which deems 12 years as the minimum age for employment, for example, as a babysitter. (See Colorado Revised Statutes. § 8-12-105 (3)). 

Whenever you begin to consider self-care for your child, you should carefully question your child’s readiness for more independence. You should also know how child-protection investigators determine whether there is child neglect. Basically, investigators ask three main questions to determine whether a parent or legal guardian is neglecting a child by not providing adequate supervision:

Question #1 – How mature is the child?

• Investigators will measure the child’s maturity level by asking:
• Is the child capable of taking care of and protecting himself or herself?
• Is the child mentally capable of recognizing and avoiding danger and making sound decisions?
• Is the child emotionally ready to be alone? Will she or her feel confident and secure or feel afraid, lonely, or bored?
• Does the child know what to do and who to call if a problem or emergency arises?
• Does the child have any special physical, emotional or behavioral problems that make it unwise to leave her or him alone?

Question #2 – Who is responsible for the child?
If parents have not left the child in the care of another, investigators will ask:

• Where are the parents?
• Can the parents get home quickly if needed?
• Can the parents be reached by phone?
• Do the children know where the parents are and how to reach them?

If parents have left someone else in charge, investigators will ask whether that person is mature enough to provide good supervision and to protect the child. They will want to know information about the caretaker that is similar to that requested in Question #1.

Parents should remember that a child who can take care of herself/himself may not be ready to take care of younger children. Legally it may be fine to leave a mature 11-year-old alone; but to leave that child in charge of a toddler, preschooler, or kindergartner may be considered child neglect. Younger children often need more care than an 11-year-old can give. And if an emergency comes up, the 11-year-old might not be able to keep everyone safe.

Question #3 – What is the situation?
What is appropriate under some circumstances may be considered child neglect under other circumstances. Investigators will ask:

• When and for how long are the children left alone?
• Have the parents arranged with nearby adults to be available in case a problem arises?
• Is there any family history of child abuse or neglect?

The welfare of the child is the primary concern of investigators. If they determine that child neglect has occurred, the Department of Human Services, Children and Family Services will talk with the family and work out a more acceptable situation. The solution may involve a provision on the part of the parents not to leave the children alone. Or the department may help the family locate child-care services for some or all of the children currently left alone. The department is not trying to punish the parents or the family, but wants to make sure the children are safe and cared for properly.

As you can see, parents need to think carefully about many things before leaving their children alone. And this is important even if you only leave your child alone occasionally. Putting children in situations they can handle can help teach them independence and responsibility. But asking too much too soon can be a frightening and potentially dangerous situation – for both the child and the parent.

Source: Adapted from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.  Publication No. CFS 1050-61 

rent’s Guide to Internet Safety

Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may contribute to abuse and/or neglect, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance.  When a family fails to use information and resources, and the child’s health or safety is at risk, then child protective services intervention may be required.

In addition, many States provide an exception to the definition of neglect for parents who choose not to seek medical care for their children due to religious beliefs. Under Colorado law, the religious rights of a parent, guardian, or legal custodian shall not limit the access of a child to medical care in a life-threatening situation or when the child’s condition will result in serious disability.

In order to make a determination as to whether the child is in a life-threatening situation, or whether the child’s condition will result in serious disability, the court may order a medical evaluation of the child.  If the court determines that the child is in a life-threatening situation or that the child’s condition will result in serious disability, the court may order that medical treatment be provided for the child. Colorado Revised Statutes Section 19-1-103 states that if the parent, guardian, or legal custodian inhibits or interferes with the provision of medical treatment as ordered by the court, the child is then considered to have been neglected or endangered.

Sources: C.R.S. 19-1-103, Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). What is child abuse and neglect? Recognizing the signs and symptoms. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.

Foster care is the temporary placement of children and youth outside of their own homes due to safety concerns that cannot be mitigated immediately. Children and youth remain in foster care until their parents learn new skills to keep their kids safe.

No. Children and youth are placed out of home while their parents learn new skills and address safety concerns.

Colorado is committed to inclusion. There are no restrictions on who can foster based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status. Adoptive and foster parents must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, complete training and receive a home study. Foster parents must be able to use sound judgment like a prudent parent and demonstrate a responsible, stable and emotionally mature lifestyle.

• You can be single, married or have a domestic partner.
• You can own or rent a home, condo or apartment of any size, but you must have room for a child.
• You can work inside or outside the home. Couples with both partners working outside the home are also eligible to be foster parents.
• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must have sufficient income to support your family.
• You must be able to physically care for a child or youth.
• You must pass child abuse and criminal background checks required by state and federal laws.
• You must be able to work with a treatment team and be willing to go to ongoing training.
• You must be either a U.S. citizen or a legal resident with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) number.

Foster parents provide a temporary safe, stable home for children and youth who cannot remain safely in their home and whose parents need time to learn new skills to keep their kids safe. Foster parents care for and meet the safety and well-being needs of children and youth, including their physical, emotional and social needs. We encourage foster parents to develop relationships with and be supports to parents while keeping the focus on the best interests of the child or youth. The intent is to safely reunify children and youth with their families. Foster parents are also expected to work closely with the county department of human/social services with legal custody, the Guardian Ad Litem and other service providers.

The majority of children enter foster care due to abuse, neglect or other family problems. Children and youth in foster care come from diverse ethnic and cultural populations and can range from newborns to 18 years of age. Sometimes teens stay in foster care after they turn 18 and can remain in care up to age 21. They may have special medical, physical, developmental, psychological and emotional needs, low self-esteem, poor hygiene or poor academic performance.  The child or youth may belong to a sibling group or be an only child. 

Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement to offset the costs of providing food, shelter, clothing and other related expenses. The rate varies and may depend upon the age of the child and the level of care they need. The foster parent is not expected to pay for medical care, dental care, mental health services and other therapies. These expenses are generally covered by Medicaid.

Colorado rules allow up to four children or youth in foster care to live in a foster home at one time. Only two children under two years old are permitted at one time. There can be no more than eight children, including the foster parents’ biological children, living in the home. Space requirements, the foster family’s preference and the home study are all considered when determining how many children and youth can live in the home.

A child or youth may be in foster care for one night, several months or, in some cases, several years. Every effort is made to reunify children with their parent/s. The time spent in foster care is dependent upon each parent’s situation and their ability to engage in services to keep the children or youth safe so that they can be reunited.

Children and youth may leave foster care to live with a relative or another adult with whom they have a significant relationship. This is called kinship care.

Ideally, placements are made with foster families based upon the compatibility of the child or youth’s needs and the skills, resources and location of the foster parent. Human services agencies strive to find a foster home near the child or youth’s parent’s home to encourage frequent visitation and involvement. Human services agencies also look for a foster family who lives near the child’s school or in the same school district. 

Contact between foster parents and biological families is often encouraged. In many cases, “Icebreaker Meetings” are scheduled at the beginning of a placement to allow the foster parents and parents to meet and focus on the needs of the child. Topics may include foods they like or dislike, interests, routines and other important information that will reduce the trauma and help with the transition into the foster home.

Contact with the birth family can reduce anxiety and reduce loyalty issues for children and youth in foster care. There are many levels of contact, which may include:

• Sending written information about the child or youth.
• Making telephone calls.
• Having in-person contact.
• Inviting and transporting parents to appointments.
• Coaching on parenting techniques that work for the child.

The Colorado Department of Human Services contracts with Raise the Future to answer all questions and help Coloradans get started fostering in Colorado. If you aren’t sure about how to get started or just want to ask more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

The Colorado Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (“LGBT”) Bar Association is a voluntary professional association of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender attorneys, judges, paralegals, law students and allies who provide a LGBT presence within Colorado’s legal community. They exist to promote the recognition of civil and human rights; promote sensitivity to legal issues faced by the LGBT community; assure the fair and just treatment of members of the LGBT community; provide opportunities for LGBT attorneys, judges, law students and allies to interact in a professional setting; build alliances with other minority bar associations and legal organizations; and enhance the practice and professional expertise of lawyers who serve or who are members of the LGBT community.

Legal resource directory from The Center on Colfax The businesses, services and organizations are listed in this directory as a service to the LGBTQ community. The Center makes no promises or guarantees about the accuracy or quality of the services being offered. Vendors, contractors, sponsors, community groups, staff and volunteers, and all other personnel associated with The Center’s Resource Directory agree at all times to honor and abide by a statement of non-discrimination in word and action. 

The ACLU of Colorado is the state’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. They are a private institution funded exclusively by donations from supporters. Their mission is to protect, defend and extend the civil rights and civil liberties of all people in Colorado through litigation, education and advocacy.

Medical care

• LGBTQ resources from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which administers Medicaid. (Link to https://co4kids.org/sites/default/files/HPF_Gay-Lesbian-Bi-Sexual-Transgender-and-Queer-Health-Resources.pdf)
• Health ONE LGBTQ Resources 
• Gender Affirming Care at Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains
• The Center on Colfax Medical Resource Directory
• The Gender Identity Center of Colorado – resources on doctors and therapists welcoming to trans or genderqueer individuals

Mental health

• The Center: The Center provides programming, support and services tailored to Colorado’s transgender community. These include weekly transgender social and support programs, a Transgender speakers bureau, and ongoing educational and networking sessions throughout the year.
• The Gender Identity Center of Colorado: The Gender Identity Center of Colorado, Inc. is a non-profit corporation formed to provide support to anyone gender variant in their gender identity and expression. The Gender Identity Center of Colorado is also an informational and educational resource to the community at large.
• The Center on Colfax mental health resource directory
• UCH Outpatient Psychiatry, LGBTQ mental health clinic: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado. For appointments, call (303) 724-1000.
• Online Therapy Guide for LGBTQ+ Youth: This guide identifies some common mental health concerns among LGTBQ+ youth, discusses why finding an LGBTQ-aware therapist is important and helps families parse through websites to identify organizations that can help.

• Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG): PFLAG offers monthly meetings with support groups, programs on various aspects of GLBT lives, and a speaker’s bureau. They also operate a hotline staffed by parents and friends who provide support to people dealing with concerns about sexual orientation.

• Mile High Freedom Band: The Mile High Freedom Band is an established charitable organization serving the LGBT community in Denver since 1984.

• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center): The GLBTCCC provides Youth Services programs, Support groups, PrideFest organizing, Peer Support, phone help lines, and many other services. Call to inquire about referrals to gay-friendly businesses and resources such as gay and lesbian AA meetings, counselors, social groups, and professional groups. 

• Out Boulder County: Since 1994 Out Boulder County has educated, advocated and provided services, programs and support to Boulder County’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) communities. Through activities, support groups and events Out Boulder County reaches over 9,000 people each year. The organization has locations in Boulder and Longmont.

• La Gente Unida: La  Gente Unida is a nonprofit group whose purpose is to educate ourselves and the public about issues of concern to Latino/a gay, lesbian, bi and trans people. La Gente an all-volunteer group with no paid staff. They provide speakers for classes and other public forums, periodic lobbying on legislation and ballot initiatives, newsletter updates no more than once a month and a referral network about resources in the community. 

• Colorado West Pride: The largest pride organization on the Western Slope of Colorado, Colorado West Pride works to build a positive environment for the LGBTQ community. As they promote equality, they work alongside the community to make sure it is well-informed and has a voice to make a difference. 

• Four Corners Alliance for Diversity: The Four Corners Alliance for Diversity works to promote equality and social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people in the Four Corners area.

• Northern Colorado Equality: Northern Colorado Equality seeks to empower the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies through activities, programs, services and education. Honoring, promoting and celebrating the community’s diversity is the central organizing principle. 

• Rainbow Alley is a safe space supporting LGBTQ youth and their allies ages 10 to 17 at Denver’s The Center on Colfax.

• Urban Peak helps homeless youth and youth at risk of becoming homeless in the Denver metro area overcome real-life challenges by providing essential services and a supportive community, empowering them to become self-sufficient adults.

• Metro State University LGBTQ Center: The LGBTQ Student Resource Center is a tri-institutional office serving students, faculty and staff of all genders and sexualities on the Auraria Campus.

• CU Boulder LGBTQ Resources: The University of Colorado Boulder is home to 11 different student groups offering community for a wide diversity of LGBTQ students, from those that are geared toward professional specializations, such as Out in STEM. 

• Inside/Out Youth Services (Colorado Springs) – Inside/Out provides safety and acceptance for LGBTQI+ youth and their allies. Out in the community, they promote understanding, respect and equality. All groups and services at Inside/Out are provided to our youth free of charge. 

• TYES-Trans-youth education and support of Colorado is a Colorado-based, state-wide group supporting all gender-expansive children and their families. TYES is dedicated to helping parents support their gender-expansive children, and to help families find the information, resources and understanding that they need.

• OASOS stands for Open and Affirming Sexual Orientation and gender identity Support and offers a youth group in Boulder County for youth ages 13-18.

• SPLASH Youth of Northern Colorado serves LGBTQIA+ youth ages 5-24, their families, schools and community connections by providing support, resources, referrals, social belongingness and special events in Larimer and Weld Counties.

• Rainbow Youth Center seeks to build a brave, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, non-judgmental and visible space and community for Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth, families and allies in Southwest Colorado.

• Youth Seen offers support groups for parents and queer youth, social activities and summer programs for the Colorado Queer and Trans BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) community and organizes Black Pride Colorado.

• The Alexander Foundation exists to enhance the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people by providing financial assistance to those in need throughout Colorado.
• Colorado Workforce Centers: Workforce Centers provide a variety of free services to assist employers and job seekers alike. These include:
  • Job listings
  • Computer and Internet access
  • Career counseling and training for job seekers
  • Recruitment of workers, pre-screening and referral services
  • Tax credits and training reimbursement for employers
  • Customers can choose either self-service or staff-assisted options to meet their employment needs.