C.R.S. § 26-5.7-101 Short title
26-5.7-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Homeless Youth Act".
Homeless Youth
C.R.S. tit. 26, art. 5.7
in effectC.R.S. § 26-5.7-102 Definitions
26-5.7-102. Definitions. As used in this article 5.7, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "County department" means the county, city and county, or district department of human or social services.
(2) (a) "Homeless youth" means a child or youth who is at least eleven years of age but is less than twenty-one years of age and who:
(I) Lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; or
(II) Has a primary nighttime residence that is:
(A) A supervised, publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; or
(B) A public or private place not designed for, nor ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
(b) "Homeless youth" shall not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained pursuant to an act of congress or a state law.
(3) "Homeless youth shelter" means a facility that is licensed pursuant to section 26-6-905.
(3.5) Repealed.
(4) "Parent" means the legal custodian or guardian of the youth.
(5) "Youth" or "child" means any person who is at least eleven years of age but is less than twenty-one years of age.
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-103 Family reconciliation services
26-5.7-103. Family reconciliation services. (1) Out of moneys appropriated to the state department for family reconciliation services, the state department may elect to contract directly with private nonprofit organizations or entities for the provision of family intervention reconciliation services or pass the moneys to a county department electing to provide such services. In such circumstances, the county department may provide the family intervention reconciliation services directly or the county department may contract with private nonprofit organizations or entities for the provision of such services. The county may also contract with private nonprofit organizations or entities for the provision of voluntary alternative residences pursuant to sections 26-5.7-107 and 26-5.7-108.
(2) Any county department may elect to establish a program to provide services consistent with this article. If a county department so elects, it shall notify the state department of such action, and any homeless youth or any member of a family that is in conflict or is experiencing problems with a homeless youth may request family reconciliation services from the county department. Such services may be provided to alleviate personal or family situations that present a serious and imminent threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the youth or family and to maintain intact families wherever possible. Services shall be provided at the discretion of the county department, within the county department's available resources.
(3) Family reconciliation services that may be established shall be designed to develop skills and support within families to resolve problems related to homeless youth or family conflicts and may include, but are not limited to, referral services for suicide prevention, family preservation services, psychiatric or other medical care, or psychological, welfare, legal, educational, mediation, or other social services such as temporary shelter or independent living, as appropriate to the needs of the youth and the family. County departments that elect to provide family educational reconciliation services shall work in cooperation with school district boards of education providing educational services to homeless children in order to jointly develop educational programs for homeless youth consistent with section 22-33-103.5, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-104 Taking youth into custody - transporting to residence or child care facility or homeless youth shelter
26-5.7-104. Taking youth into custody - transporting to residence or child care facility or homeless youth shelter. (1) A law enforcement officer may take a youth into temporary custody without an order of the court under the following circumstances:
(a) If a law enforcement agency has been contacted by the youth's parent and informed that the youth is absent from parental custody without consent; or
(b) If an officer has reasonable cause to believe, considering the youth's age, the youth's location, and the time of day, that the youth is in circumstances that constitute a danger to the youth's safety.
(2) Law enforcement custody pursuant to this section shall not extend beyond the amount of time reasonably necessary to transport the youth to a destination authorized pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.
(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of a law enforcement officer to take a youth into custody and follow the procedures established pursuant to article 2.5 or 3 of title 19, C.R.S.
(4) A law enforcement officer taking a youth into custody pursuant to this section shall inform the youth of the reason for such custody and shall comply with either of the following:
(a) The officer shall transport the youth to the home of the youth's parent. The officer releasing the youth into the custody of the youth's parent shall inform the parent of the reason for taking the youth into custody and shall inform the youth and the parent of the nature and location of any family reconciliation services available in their community.
(b) The officer shall take the youth to a licensed child care facility or to a licensed homeless youth shelter if:
(I) The youth evinces fear or distress at the prospect of being returned to the home of the youth's parent;
(II) It is not practical to transport the youth to the home of the youth's parent; or
(III) There is no parent available to accept custody of the youth.
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-105 Child care facilities - homeless youth shelters - authority - duties - rules
26-5.7-105. Child care facilities - homeless youth shelters - authority - duties - rules. (1) Licensed child care facilities or licensed homeless youth shelters may provide shelter and crisis intervention, family reconciliation, and alternative residential services to homeless youth. Homeless youth who are fifteen years of age or older may consent, in writing, to receive shelter and services without parental consent when in accordance with rules promulgated by the state department pursuant to subsection (8) of this section.
(2) A youth admitted to a licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter pursuant to this article 5.7 and who is not returned to the home of the youth's parent or legal guardian or is not placed in a voluntary alternative residential placement pursuant to section 26-5.7-107 may reside at a facility or shelter described in subsection (1) of this section for a period not to exceed twenty-one days from the time of intake except as otherwise provided in this article 5.7. A licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter shall make a concerted effort to achieve a reconciliation of the family. If a reconciliation and voluntary return of the youth have not been achieved within seventy-two hours from the time of intake and the director of the facility or shelter, or other person in charge, does not consider it likely that reconciliation will be achieved within the twenty-one-day period, then the director of the facility or shelter, or other person in charge, shall provide the youth and the youth's parent or legal guardian with a statement identifying:
(a) The availability of counseling services;
(b) The availability of longer term residential arrangements; and
(c) The possibility of referral to the county department.
(3) The state department shall develop a written statement of the rights and counseling services set forth in subsection (2) of this section and distribute the statement to each law enforcement agency, licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter. Each law enforcement officer taking a youth into custody pursuant to this article 5.7 shall provide the youth and the youth's parent or legal guardian with a copy of the statement. Each licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter shall provide each resident youth and the youth's parent or legal guardian with a copy of the statement.
(4) When a youth under fifteen years of age is admitted to a licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter, the director of the facility, shelter, or other person in charge shall notify the county department within seventy-two hours of the youth's admission.
(5) If the director of the facility, shelter, or other person in charge determines that a referral for additional services needs to be made, the director or other person in charge shall make the referral to the appropriate county department, notify the county department of the facility's relationship to the youth pursuant to section 19-1-307 (2)(e.5)(I), and notify the county department of the date when the twenty-one-day shelter time period will expire.
(6) Repealed.
(7) If a youth who is at least eleven years of age but less than fifteen years of age has been served up to twenty-one days and returns to the licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter after leaving the facility or shelter, the director of the licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter or other person in charge shall make a referral for services to the county department.
(8) The state department shall promulgate rules for the implementation of this section.
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-106 Notification
26-5.7-106. Notification. (1) Any person who provides shelter to a youth without the consent of the youth's parent or legal guardian and after said person knows that the youth is away from the home of the youth's parent or legal guardian without permission shall notify the youth's parent, legal guardian, or a law enforcement officer that the youth is being sheltered within twenty-four hours after shelter has been provided and after acquiring knowledge that the youth is away from the home of the youth's parent or legal guardian without permission. If the youth refuses to provide the shelter with contact information for the youth's parent or legal guardian, the youth's parent or legal guardian is deceased, or the shelter director or other person in charge believes that notifying the parent or legal guardian would not be in the youth's best interest due to an imminent risk of abuse or neglect by the parent or legal guardian, the shelter shall notify the appropriate county department.
(2) Upon admission of a youth to a licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter pursuant to this article 5.7, the facility or shelter shall:
(a) Notify the youth's parent, legal guardian, or appropriate county department of the youth's whereabouts, physical and emotional condition, and the circumstances surrounding the youth's placement within twenty-four hours;
(b) Notify the youth's parent or legal guardian that it is the paramount concern of the facility or shelter to achieve a reconciliation between the parent or legal guardian and the youth, to reunify the family, and to inform the parent or legal guardian about available alternatives;
(c) Arrange transportation for the youth to the residence of the youth's parent or legal guardian when the youth and the parent or legal guardian agree that the youth shall return to the home of the youth's parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian shall reimburse the party who paid for the transportation costs to the extent of the parent's or legal guardian's ability.
(d) Arrange transportation for the youth to an alternative residential placement facility when the youth and the youth's parent or legal guardian agree to such placement. The parent or legal guardian shall reimburse the appropriate person for transportation costs to the extent of the parent's or legal guardian's ability.
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-107 Voluntary alternative residence - parental agreement
26-5.7-107. Voluntary alternative residence - parental agreement. (1) Any available family reconciliation services shall be provided to a youth and the youth's family when the youth voluntarily resides elsewhere than with the youth's parent. A youth and the youth's parent may enter into an agreement for a voluntary alternative residence out of the home. Any agreement for voluntary alternative residence shall be in writing signed by both the youth and the youth's parent and may include, but is not limited to, residence with a relative or other responsible adult, in a licensed child care facility, or in a licensed homeless youth shelter. Voluntary alternative residence may continue as long as there is agreement between the youth and the youth's parent.
(2) Agreements for voluntary alternative residence pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may include arrangements for payment to the party providing the residence for the youth or other responsibilities.
(3) A person assuming responsibility under the agreement for the provision of a residence for the youth shall have the authority to:
(a) Enroll the youth in the school district in which the voluntary alternative residence is located; and
(b) Authorize and obtain preventive medical and dental care and treatment for the youth.
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-108 Voluntary alternative residence - lack of parental agreement
26-5.7-108. Voluntary alternative residence - lack of parental agreement. (1) If the youth and the youth's parent cannot agree on an initial voluntary alternative residence within twenty-one days after admission to the alternative out-of-home residence, a referral to the county department may be made.
(2) The licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter to which the youth has been admitted may arrange for the establishment of a supervised independent living arrangement or may arrange a voluntary residential agreement between the youth and a relative or other responsible adult, a licensed child care facility, or licensed homeless youth shelter if the youth has been admitted to a licensed child care facility or licensed homeless youth shelter and:
(a) Twenty-one days have passed since admission;
(b) The youth's parent cannot be found after diligent effort by the facility or shelter to locate such parent, the youth's parent has failed to respond to a notice sent by the facility or shelter, or the youth's parent has renounced responsibility for the youth; and
(c) The youth has no suitable place to live other than the home of the youth's parent.
(3) A supervised independent living arrangement can only be established pursuant to subsection (2) of this section if:
(a) The youth has not been deemed to have a substance use disorder and is in need of treatment;
(b) The youth is not currently demonstrating behavior that poses a danger to the youth or others;
(c) The youth is not engaging in persistent high-risk behavior that renders the youth inappropriate for an independent living arrangement through a placement alternative commission plan pursuant to section 19-1-116, C.R.S., or foster care placement through the county department; and
(d) The youth has an ability and capacity to manage his or her own affairs, demonstrates emotional independence, and has the opportunity and ability to achieve financial independence through legitimate activities and life skills, including the following:
(I) Educational accomplishments or a plan for achieving educational goals;
(II) A vocational plan or goal; and
(III) An opportunity or ability to achieve adequate housing and living arrangements apart from the youth's parent, guardian, or custodian.
(4) (a) For the purposes of this article, a voluntary residential agreement shall not require the county department to assume custody of the youth or to exercise any parental power or control over the youth or require medical assistance under articles 4, 5, and 6 of title 25.5, C.R.S.
(b) A person assuming responsibility for the youth shall have the authority to:
(I) Enroll the youth in the school district in which the youth resides, pursuant to the voluntary residential agreement; and
(II) Authorize and obtain preventive medical and dental care and treatment for the youth.
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-109 No use of general fund moneys
26-5.7-109. No use of general fund moneys. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 26-5.7-110 Host homes for youth - report - rules - definitions
26-5.7-110. Host homes for youth - report - rules - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Host home" means a private home that volunteers to host youth in need of temporary placement that is associated with a host home program with the purpose of providing a safe, temporary, and welcoming space to allow the youth time to repair the youth's relationship with the youth's parent or legal guardian or make decisions regarding other long-term housing options with the support of a host home operator.
(b) "Host home program" or "program" means a program that provides support to a host home and meets the requirements of subsection (3) of this section.
(c) "Youth" means an individual who is under twenty-three years of age.
(2) The state department shall oversee the operations of the host home programs.
(3) To operate a host home program, an organization must:
(a) Be a tax exempt organization for youth not in the care of the county department;
(b) Recruit and screen individuals interested in operating a host home in the program, including performing criminal history record checks pursuant to subsection (5) of this section on the interested individuals and all individuals residing in the home who are eighteen years of age or older, and perform a physical inspection of the home;
(c) Provide case management services to youth in the program;
(d) Provide a minimum of sixty days of aftercare, as defined in 45 CFR 1351.1, for a youth who leaves a host home;
(e) Provide mandatory reporter and confidentiality training to host home operators; and
(f) Maintain accurate and up-to-date records documenting the following for each host home operating under the program:
(I) The address of the host home;
(II) The name of the individual operating the host home and all other individuals residing in the home;
(III) A copy of the completed criminal history record check conducted pursuant to subsection (5) of this section for the individual operating the host home and all other individuals residing in the home who are eighteen years of age or older;
(IV) A copy of the host home's completed physical home inspection;
(V) A copy of the host home's property or rental insurance and automobile insurance; and
(VI) Any other information required by the state department.
(4) To operate a host home, an individual must:
(a) Maintain property or rental insurance and automobile insurance covering the property and vehicles used in providing host home services;
(b) Undergo a criminal history record check in compliance with subsection (5) of this section; and
(c) Comply with any other requirements set by the state department.
(5) (a) Before an individual may operate a host home pursuant to this section, the individual must undergo fingerprinting performed by a local law enforcement agency or third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation. The individual must pay the costs associated with the fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
(b) After taking the individual's fingerprints, the local law enforcement agency or third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation shall submit the complete set of the individual's fingerprints to the Colorado bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
(c) If a third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation conducts the fingerprinting, the individual's fingerprints may be captured electronically using Colorado bureau of investigation-approved livescan equipment. The third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation must not keep the individual's information collected for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint-based criminal history record check for more than thirty days, unless otherwise requested by the individual.
the individual's fingerprints may be captured electronically using Colorado bureau of investigation-approved livescan equipment. The third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation must not keep the individual's information collected for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint-based criminal history record check for more than thirty days, unless otherwise requested by the individual.
(d) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall use the individual's fingerprints to conduct a criminal history record check using the Colorado bureau of investigation's records. The Colorado bureau of investigation must send the individual's fingerprints to the federal bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a federal fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The Colorado bureau of investigation, individual, state department, and entity conducting the fingerprinting must comply with the federal bureau of investigation's requirements to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
(e) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall return the results of its fingerprint-based criminal history record check to the state department and the state department is authorized to receive the results of the federal bureau of investigation's fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The state department must use the information from the fingerprint-based criminal history record check to investigate and determine whether an individual is qualified to operate a host home pursuant to this section.
(f) If the results of an individual's fingerprint-based criminal history record check performed pursuant to this subsection (5) reveal a record of arrests without a disposition, the organization operating a host home program must require the individual to submit to a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3.
(6) (a) If a youth is under eleven years of age and seeks admission to a host home, the host home must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian of the youth authorizing the youth's temporary residence in the host home. If written consent is received, the youth may reside in a host home for up to twenty-one days.
(b) Youth eleven years of age or older but under eighteen years of age admitted to a host home may reside in the host home for up to twenty-one days pursuant to section 26-5.7-105.
(c) If a youth under fifteen years of age is admitted to a host home, the program director or host home operator must notify the county department within seventy-two hours after the youth's admission.
(d) For youth eighteen years of age or older but under twenty-three years of age, the youth may remain in a host home beyond the twenty-one-day period if consent is provided to the host home by the youth. Documentation verifying the youth's consent must be updated every six months thereafter.
(e) If a youth eleven years of age or older but under twenty-three years of age has resided in a host home for twenty-one days, the program director or host home operator must refer the youth to the county department for additional services.
(f) Host home operators shall comply with the notification requirements specified in section 26-5.7-106.
(7) On or before December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter, if a program receives local, state, or federal funding, the program must enter the following information into the homeless management information system and share the information with the office of homeless youth services:
(a) The number of youth served by the program; and
otification requirements specified in section 26-5.7-106.
(7) On or before December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter, if a program receives local, state, or federal funding, the program must enter the following information into the homeless management information system and share the information with the office of homeless youth services:
(a) The number of youth served by the program; and
(b) Upon leaving a host home, whether each participating youth returned to live with the youth's parent or legal guardian, ran away, reached twenty-three years of age, or became a dependent of the state.
(8) A licensed foster care home approved as a host home shall not accept a youth for placement pursuant to this section if there are any foster children currently placed in that home.
(9) Nothing in this section applies to host homes providing residential services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
(10) The state department shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement this section.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-26.docxFetched: 10/6/2026