A.  Requirements for Relinquishment

C.R.S. § 19-5-101
Parents may voluntarily relinquish their parental rights. If parents do not relinquish, they may only lose their parental rights through a court order terminating the parent-child legal relationship.

C.R.S. § 19-5-103(1)(a) & (2)(a)-(g)
The relinquishing parent must first receive counseling. The county DHS or a licensed child placement agency must provide the counseling. The parent’s counseling must cover:
  • The permanence and impact of the decision to relinquish;
  • Each parent’s medical and social history;
  • For pregnant women, referrals for medical care and assistance;
  • Alternatives to relinquishment;
  • Referrals to public resources to meet the parent’s needs;
  • Relinquishment services to protect a child born in a state institution;
  • Requirement that public assistance applicants cooperate with child support enforcement efforts;
  • Confidentiality of all identifying information.
C.R.S. § 19-5-103(5)
The court may also order the child be counseled before relinquishment if it is in the child’s best interests.

C.R.S. § 19-5-103(5)
The parent must be fully informed of the consequences. 

C.R.S. § 19-5-104(5)
Relinquishment divests the parent of all legal rights and obligations to the child. It releases the child of all legal obligations to the parent. The child may inherit from the parent until a final decree of adoption is entered. The parent must also pay for child support and DHS services until a final adoption decree unless the court enters an order that ends this obligation.

25 U.S.C.A. § 1913
For an Indian child, the relinquishment must be signed before a judge. The judge must certify that the terms and consequences of the consent were explained in detail and were fully understood by the parent or Indian custodian. This certificate must note whether the instruction was explained in English or was interpreted into another language the parent or Indian custodian understood. Any consent given before or within ten days after the Indian child’s birth is invalid.

C.R.S. § 19-5-206(2)
In the relinquishment, parents may name their choice for adoptive parents. 

C.R.S. § 19-1-103(39)
This is known as a “designated adoption.” 

C.R.J.P. 6.3(1)(c)
The same relinquishment and adoption requirements apply, except that the petition must indicate it is a designated adoption and whether fees or costs are being paid by the prospective adoptive parents.