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This memorandum provides a brief overview of the human services delivery structure in Colorado, which is primarily state-supervised and county-delivered. This includes an overview of the Department of Human Services (CDHS); the offices, divisions, and boards within CDHS; and a brief description of the services delivered through Colorado's 64 county departments of human or social services.

The Colorado General Assembly passed a number of bills related to human services and families. Many of these laws were recommendations from interim committees and task forces. Others made changes to Colorado’s child welfare system, introduced guardrails around access to certain online material, and more.

Submitted herewith is the final report of Hugh McKean Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee. This committee was created pursuant to Section 2-2-1305.5, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to review the work of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) and to recommend legislation regarding issues affecting Colorado youth.

Many pieces of legislation regarding human services made their way through the 74th General Assembly. Human Services legislation primarily focused on child welfare issues, funding senior services, and addressing housing concerns through Medicaid.

The relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health has prompted a rise in regulatory policy across the nation and in Colorado. This memorandum examines social media use and adolescent health outcomes, the predominant policy frameworks in this domain, and federal and state legislative efforts to address growing concerns.

Submitted herewith is the final report of the Hugh McKean Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee. This committee was created pursuant to Section 2-2-1305.5, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to review the work of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) and to recommend legislation regarding issues affecting Colorado youth.

Submitted herewith is the final report of the Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee. The committee was created pursuant to Interim Committee Request Letter 2023-01. The purpose of this committee is to take a holistic look at Colorado’s child welfare system to address the major factors facing the system in order to better serve the state’s children and families.

The General Assembly addressed a number of bills related to human services and various children and domestic matters, including the establishment and preservation of “family time” and improving services offered to children and youth.

Federal, state, and local entities work to deliver programs and initiatives to increase food security and accessibility for Coloradans. This issue brief provides an overview of key programs and efforts within the state, including beneficiaries, operations, and funding.

This committee was created pursuant to Section 2-2-1305.5, Colorado Revised Statutes.  The purpose of this committee is to review the COYAC's work and to recommend legislation regarding issues affecting Colorado youth.

This issue brief provides an overview of minors’ rights to deny others access to medical records under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Colorado state law.  It also discusses state law pertaining to the ability of minors to consent to medical care.

The quality of child care is a key concern for parents and policymakers.  Child care allows parents to remain in the workforce and contributes to a child’s development.  This issue brief provides an overview of the financial assistance available to families needing child care, briefly describes the licensing of child care centers, and explains where to find child care quality ratings.  

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado’s newest state department, began operations in July 2022 to provide a range of programs and services that support young children, families, and the professionals that serve them.  This issue brief provides an overview of the CDEC, including its creation, programs and services offered through the department, and budget for FY 2022-23.

During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly considered an array of measures concerning criminal investigations, crime, community safety and crime prevention, victim services, juveniles, and behavioral health.

During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly considered numerous bills related to child & domestic matters.  

Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee.

The General Assembly considered several measures during the 2021 legislative session related to human services, including behavioral health and long-term care.

Summary report for the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee (COYAC).

During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to children and domestic matters, including foster care, child care, and child welfare.

Vaccinations offer protection from common infectious diseases.  The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends specific vaccines for all infants, children, and adults during their lifetime to provide immunity from preventable illness.  A recent analysis estimated that for children born in a single year in the United States, vaccination prevented nearly 20 million cases of disease and over 40,000 deaths.

During the 2020 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to parental rights, marriage and adoption, and child welfare. 

During the 2020 session, the General Assembly considered bills related to early childhood education; child welfare investigations; appropriating federal CARES Act funding; and other human services programs.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted almost every aspect of society, including the criminal justice system, leaving crowded courts, prisons and jails especially susceptible to the outbreak.  This memorandum provides an overview of how the juvenile justice system in Colorado is handling this public health emergency.  Please note that the COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing, and staff will be monitoring changes and making updates.

Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee.

The General Assembly passed legislation during the 2019 legislative session which strengthens protections for children in voluntary temporary care; requires studying challenges facing child care homes and ways to increased the availability of infant and child care in child care homes; amends child support guidelines; and modernizes marriage laws for minors.