J.  Confidentiality


C.R.S. § 19-1-303(4.4)
The “Children’s Code Records and Information Act” restricts release of information in juvenile cases out of concern for the privacy of children and family members and to avoid stigmatizing children.

The state child support enforcement agency and the delegate child support enforcement units may exchange information with the judicial department to locate parties, to establish paternity and support, to enforce support orders, and to disburse child support payments.


C.R.S. § 19-1-303(1)(a)
C.R.S. § 19-1-307(1)(a)

In D&N cases, reports of child abuse or neglect and the names and addresses of any child, family, or informant or any other identifying information in such reports is confidential and not public information. 

C.R.S. § 19-1-102(1.7)
Courts should restrict media access to information about a victim of child abuse or neglect.

C.R.S. § 19-1-307(1)(b)
In a D&N case, a court may release identifying information of the child and family only upon a showing of good cause, except when there is a death of a suspected victim of child abuse or neglect, and the death becomes a matter of public record, or the perpetrator is arrested or charged.

C.R.S. § 19-1-307(2)
Certain persons or agencies have access to child abuse records and reports. 

People v. Jowell, 199 P.3d 38 (Colo. App. 2008)
A defendant in a criminal case seeking disclosure of D&N records must request an in camera review, identify the type of information sought, and explain why disclosure is necessary by showing the relevance and materiality of the information sought.

C.R.S. § 19-1-309
Records involving relinquishments and adoptions are sealed. 

C.R.S. § 19-5-305(1) and (2)(b)
C.R.S. § 19-1-103(6.5) and (80)

For adoptions occurring after September 1, 1999, the prospective parents may access adoption records and non-identifying information about the birth parents, to include:
  • The adoptee’s original birth certificate and amended birth certificate;
  • The final decree of adoption;
  • The final order of relinquishment;
  • The order terminating the child’s parental rights;
  • A physical description of the birth parents;
  • Educational background of the birth parents;
  • Genetic information about the birth family;
  • Medical information about the adult adoptee’s birth;
  • Social information about the birth parents; and
  • Placement history of the adoptee.