B.  Mandatory Reporters

C.R.S. § 19-3-304
Anyone may report child abuse and neglect. However, some professionals are required to make reports if they have reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. They must also report if they observe the child subjected to conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect. 



The following are mandatory reporters under the statute:
  • Physician;
  • Physician in training;
  • Hospital personnel who admit, care for, or treat patients;
  • Surgeon;
  • Child health associate;
  • Christian Science practitioner;
  • Coroner;
  • Medical examiner;
  • Public or private school official or employee;
  • Dentist;
  • Registered nurse;
  • Mental health professional;
  • Osteopath;
  • Licensed practical nurse;
  • Dental hygienist;
  • Optometrist;
  • Social worker;
  • Physical therapist;
  • Chiropractor;
  • Child care worker;
  • Commercial film and photograph processor;
  • Chiropodist;
  • Psychologist;
  • Veterinarian;
  • Pharmacist;
  • Podiatrist;
  • Victim advocate;
  • Peace officer;
  • Firefighter;
  • Marriage and family therapist;
  • Licensed professional counselor;
  • Unlicensed psychotherapist;
  • Clergy member;
  • Anyone who works for the state Department of Human Services;
  • Registered dietician;
  • Child and family investigator;
  • Juvenile parole or probation officer;
  • Agent of state bureau of animal protection;
  • Animal control officer.
Dill v. People, 927 P.2d 1315 (Colo. 1996)
C.R.S. § 12-43-218(5)
C.R.S. § 19-3-311
Confidences and privileges do not apply to any communication that is the basis for a child abuse report. However, privileges are in effect again after the report is made.  They remain in effect after legal proceedings on the report begin.

C.R.S. § 19-3-306(1)
Photographs and x-rays may be taken of a child reasonably believed to be abused or neglected. Medical personnel, medical examiners, or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care or treatment of patients, a coroner, a social worker, a psychologist or law enforcement personnel may take photographs. 

C.R.S. § 19-3-306(2)
Copies or duplicates of such photographs must immediately be forwarded to the county department or to law enforcement. X-rays must be medically indicated.

C.R.S. § 19-3-309
C.R.S. § 18-6-401(4)
Anyone who reports in good faith has immunity, including anyone who helps in the investigation, appears in court, take photographs or x-rays, or places the child in protective custody by court order. Good faith is presumed. Immunity from civil and criminal liability, and immunity from termination of employment that otherwise might result by reason of reporting applies, unless the court finds the person’s behavior was willful, wanton, and malicious, or unless the reporter knows at the time of making the report it is untrue. However, immunity does not extend to perpetrators, complicitors, co-conspirators or accessories.

C.R.S. § 19-3-304(3.5)
It is a crime to willfully make a false report. The reporter must know at the time of making it that it is untrue.

C.R.S. § 18-6-401(4)
The reporter is also liable for all damages proximately caused by the false report.

C.R.S. § 19-3-304(4)
It is also a crime for a mandatory reporter to fail to make a report. The reporter is also liable for all damages proximately caused by making a false report or failing to make a report.