Search Publications

Many pieces of legislation regarding human services made their way through the 74th General Assembly. Human Services legislation primarily focused on child welfare issues, funding senior services, and addressing housing concerns through Medicaid.

Submitted herewith is the final report of Hugh McKean Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee. This committee was created pursuant to Section 2-2-1305.5, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to review the work of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) and to recommend legislation regarding issues affecting Colorado youth.

Report No. 2021-TE26

Report No. 2025-TE3

The Colorado General Assembly passed a number of bills related to human services and families. Many of these laws were recommendations from interim committees and task forces. Others made changes to Colorado’s child welfare system, introduced guardrails around access to certain online material, and more.

The quality and affordability of child care and early childhood education (ECE) are key concerns for parents and policymakers alike. Whether daycare, preschool, or another setting, child care and ECE allow parents to remain in the workforce and improve the school readiness of children. This issue brief provides an overview of the financial assistance available to families needing child care and describes the state's licensing and regulation of child care.

The Public Benefits and Services Resource Manual is intended to serve as a reference guide for information on some of the state’s programs that provide direct benefits or services to members of the public. The manual is divided into four sections to make it easier for the reader to access information. The first section provides information on how to apply for certain public benefits using the Colorado PEAK website and county offices of human or social services.

This issue brief outlines federal and state school nutrition programs, including eligibility, funding, and reimbursement.

Colorado's child welfare system provides a range of services to protect children from abuse and neglect and to assist families in caring for their children. This issue brief provides an overview of the child welfare system in Colorado, including administration and funding, reporting and investigation of abuse and neglect, and the types of services provided. An overview of the judicial process in child welfare cases is also included.

In the 2013 legislative session, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 13-011, the Colorado Civil Union Act. This issue brief summarizes the provisions of the act and discusses other states' laws concerning same-sex marriage and civil unions. A brief explanation of two same-sex marriage cases pending before the U.S. Supreme Court is also included.

Vaccinations offer protection from common infectious diseases.  The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends specific vaccines for all infants, children, and adults during their lifetime to provide immunity from preventable illness.  A recent analysis estimated that for children born in a single year in the United States, vaccination prevented nearly 20 million cases of disease and over 40,000 deaths.

Presented to the Joint Health Committee.

Colorado’s child welfare system provides a range of services to protect children from abuse and neglect and to assist families in caring for their children.  This issue brief provides an overview of the child welfare system in Colorado, including administration and funding, reporting and investigation of abuse and neglect, and the types of services provided.  An overview of the judicial process in child welfare cases is also included.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado’s newest state department, began operations in July 2022 to provide a range of programs and services that support young children, families, and the professionals that serve them.  This issue brief provides an overview of the CDEC, including its creation, programs and services offered through the department, and budget for FY 2022-23.

This committee was created pursuant to Section 2-2-1305.5, Colorado Revised Statutes.  The purpose of this committee is to review the COYAC's work and to recommend legislation regarding issues affecting Colorado youth.

Report No. 2023-TE19

Submitted herewith is the final report of the Hugh McKean Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee. This committee was created pursuant to Section 2-2-1305.5, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to review the work of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) and to recommend legislation regarding issues affecting Colorado youth.

Report No. 2022-TE8

Colorado currently administers 11 Home- and Community-Based Services Medicaid (HCBS) Waivers. This issue brief discusses the five waivers available to children. An issue brief entitled Medicaid Waiver Programs Part II – Home- and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers for Adults discusses the six waivers available to adults.

Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee.

Child support is a required payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child after a divorce or other dissolution of a relationship. This issue brief summarizes how child support orders are issued, details elements of child support enforcement units and various child support enforcement mechanisms, outlines the Colorado ChildSupport CollectionConsumerProtectionAct, and provides information on cases that involve noncustodial parents who live outside Colorado.

Federal, state, and local entities work to deliver programs and initiatives to increase food security and accessibility for Coloradans. This issue brief provides an overview of key programs and efforts within the state, including beneficiaries, operations, and funding.

The General Assembly considered several measures during the 2021 legislative session related to human services, including behavioral health and long-term care.

During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to children and domestic matters, including foster care, child care, and child welfare.

During the 2020 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to parental rights, marriage and adoption, and child welfare.