Frequently Asked Questions

The Colorado Department of Human Services provides helpful guidance for parents related to this topic on their website.

The answer to this question depends upon the situation and the maturity of the child. Colorado in general has accepted the age of 12 as a guideline for when it may be appropriate for a child to be left at home alone for short periods of time.

• 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
  • Circumstances indicate that such condition may not be the product of an accidental occurrence
• Any case in which a child is subjected to unlawful sexual behavior as defined in section 16-22-102 (9), C.R.S.
• 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
• Any case in which a child is subjected to emotional abuse. Emotional abuse in this section means 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
• 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 (defined in C.R.S. 18-18-102 (5)) is manufactured or attempted to be manufactured
• Any case in which a child tests positive at birth for either a schedule-I 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

• Physicians, surgeons, physicians in training, child health associates, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurses, hospital personnel, dental hygienists, physical therapists, pharmacists and registered dieticians
• Public or private school officials or employees
• Social workers, Christian Science practitioners, mental health professionals, psychologists, professional counselors and marriage and family therapists
• Veterinarians, peace officers, firefighters or victim's advocates
• Commercial film and photographic print processors
• Counselors, marriage and family therapists and psychotherapists
• Clergy members, including:
  
  • Priests
  • Rabbis
  • Duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church
  • Members of religious orders
  • Recognized leaders of any religious bodies
• Workers in the state department of human services
• Commercial film and photographic print processors when they have knowledge of or observe any film, photograph, videotape, negative or slide depicting a child engaged in an act of sexual conduct.

• When they have reasonable cause to know or suspect child abuse or neglect
• When they have observed a child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect

• Review the child's records
• Interview parents, foster parents, teachers and relatives
• Meet with the child regularly
• Prepare reports
• Make recommendations
• Ensure that the child's educational needs are met