Foster Pride

On an average day in Colorado, 9 children and youth enter foster care because their parents need time to learn new skills and address safety concerns. National research shows us that young people who identify as LGBTQ+ are overrepresented within foster care. These children and youth experience foster care for many of the same reasons as other young people in care, but they potentially have the added layer of trauma that comes with being rejected or mistreated because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Every child and youth deserves a nurturing, affirming family that provides them with a safe place to process their feelings of grief and loss, the freedom to express who they are, and the support they need to become responsible, happy and healthy adults.

You can foster and adopt in Colorado

There are few limitations on who can be a foster or adoptive parent, although everyone must pass a background check, complete training and receive a home study from a county human service department or child placement agency. The training and certification process prepares you to provide a temporary home for a child or youth who can no longer live at home due to safety concerns. The goal of foster care is to return home. When that isn't possible, we look for families to adopt children and youth and to be a loving, permanent family. Most children and youth who are adopted are adopted by their foster parent(s). Learn more.

Get started

We sponsor booths at Pride festivals to raise awareness about the need for foster and adoptive families. We partner with county departments of human services and child placement agencies to share resources and answer questions.

Come out and meet representatives from counties and CPAs to learn more about becoming a foster parent at the 2022 Denver PrideFest. We will be at booth D14.

Find the contact information of a county or CPA that participated in a 2022 Pride festival.

Resources for parents and professionals

Parents and child welfare professionals, find research, local resources, organizations and more to help you affirm young people who identify as LGBTQ+ and to support parents who are LGBTQ+. Find resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fostering can be the most rewarding and most challenging work that you ever do. We know there are many questions about the foster care system, the process to become a foster parent and what to expect once you have become a foster parent. These frequently asked questions and answers are a good place to start. Get answers to common questions.