I.  Hearings


C.R.S. § 19-1-106(2)
Hearings are open to the public. The court may exclude the public if it is in the best interests of the child or community. If the public is excluded, the court may only admit the parties and their attorneys, or those who have an interest in the case or the court’s work. This includes anyone the district, county or city attorney, child and parents, guardian, or other custodian wish to be present.

C.R.S. § 19-1-102(1.7)
The court must protect the victim’s anonymity. The legislature urges the court (and the media) not to reveal any child victim’s name, because it may cause the child undue hardship, discomfort, and distress.

C.R.S. § 19-1-106(2)
Hearings may be informal.

C.R.S. § 19-3-403(3.6)(a)(II)
The juvenile court cannot dispense with rules of evidence that directly bear on substantive proof. However, at the temporary custody hearing in a D&N case, any information having probative value may be received by the court regardless of its admissibility under the Colorado Rules of Evidence.

C.R.S. § 19-1-106(5)
The court may hear the child separately from the parents, guardian or custodian. The parents, guardian and custodian may also be heard separately from the child. Either may be done whenever the court deems it necessary.

C.R.S. § 19-1-308
In paternity cases, hearings must be closed.

C.R.S. § 19-5-210(5)(b)
In adoption and relinquishment cases, hearings must be closed. An adoption hearing may be opened if, on motion by any party to the adoption or on the court’s own motion, the court orders that an adoption hearing be opened for the public, if the court finds that doing so is in the best interests of the child and the prospective adoptive parents have consented.