A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the codification of the federal "Indian Child
Page 1, Line 102Welfare Act of 1978" as the "Colorado Indian Child
Page 1, Line 103Welfare Act".
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill codifies the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" into state law as the "Colorado Indian Child Welfare Act" (CO-ICWA) and provides additional protections for Indian children and children known to be Indian children under state law.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 19-1-126 as follows:
Page 2, Line 319-1-126. Compliance with the federal "Indian Child Welfare
Page 2, Line 4Act of 1978".
(1) In each case filed pursuant to this title 19 thatPage 2, Line 5
constitutes a child custody proceeding, as defined in the federal "IndianPage 2, Line 6
Child Welfare Act of 1978", 25 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., and therefore toPage 2, Line 7
which the terms of the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978", 25Page 2, Line 8
U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., apply, the court and each party to the proceedingPage 2, Line 9
shall comply with the federal implementing regulations, and anyPage 2, Line 10
modifications thereof, of the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978",Page 2, Line 11
25 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., located in 25 CFR 23, which outline thePage 2, Line 12
minimum federal standards governing the implementation of the "IndianPage 2, Line 13
Child Welfare Act of 1978" to ensure the statute is applied in ColoradoPage 2, Line 14
consistent with the act's express language, congress's intent in enactingPage 2, Line 15
the statute, and to promote the stability and security of Indian children,Page 2, Line 16
tribes, and families. In each child-custody proceeding filed pursuant toPage 2, Line 17
this title 19 to which the terms of the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978", 25 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., apply:Page 2, Line 18
(a) (I) The court shall make inquiries to determine whether thePage 2, Line 19
child who is the subject of the proceeding is an Indian child, and, if so,Page 2, Line 20
shall determine the identity of the Indian child's tribe. In determining the Indian child's tribe:Page 2, Line 21
(A) The court shall ask each participant in an emergency orPage 2, Line 22
voluntary or involuntary child-custody proceeding whether the participantPage 2, Line 23
knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child. The inquiryPage 3, Line 1
is to be made at the commencement of the proceeding, and all responsesPage 3, Line 2
must be on the record. The court shall instruct the participants to informPage 3, Line 3
the court if any participant subsequently receives information that provides reason to know the child is an Indian child.Page 3, Line 4
(B) Any party to the proceeding shall disclose any informationPage 3, Line 5
indicating that the child is an Indian child or provide an identificationPage 3, Line 6
card indicating membership in a tribe to the petitioning and filing partiesPage 3, Line 7
and the court in a timely manner. The court shall order the party toPage 3, Line 8
provide the information no later than seven business days after the datePage 3, Line 9
of the hearing or prior to the next hearing on the matter, whichever occursPage 3, Line 10
first. The information should be filed with the court and provided to thePage 3, Line 11
county department of human or social services and each party no later than seven business days after the date of the hearing.Page 3, Line 12
(II) The court, upon conducting the inquiry described inPage 3, Line 13
subsection (1)(a)(I) of this section, has reason to know that a child is an Indian child if:Page 3, Line 14
(A) Any participant in the child-custody proceeding, officer of thePage 3, Line 15
court involved in the child-custody proceeding, Indian tribe, Indian organization, or agency informs the court that the child is an Indian child;Page 3, Line 16
(B) Any participant in the child-custody proceeding, officer of thePage 3, Line 17
court involved in the child-custody proceeding, Indian tribe, IndianPage 3, Line 18
organization, or agency informs the court that it has discovered information indicating that the child is an Indian child;Page 3, Line 19
(C) The child who is the subject of the child-custody proceeding gives the court reason to know he or she is an Indian child;Page 3, Line 20
(D) The court is informed that the domicile or residence of thePage 3, Line 21
child, the child's parent, or the child's Indian custodian is on a reservation or in an Alaska native village;Page 4, Line 1
(E) The court is informed that the child is or has been a ward of a tribal court, as defined in 25 U.S.C. sec. 1903; orPage 4, Line 2
(F) The court is informed that the child or the child's parent possesses an identification card indicating membership in an Indian tribe.Page 4, Line 3
(b) If the court knows or has reason to know, as defined inPage 4, Line 4
subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section, that the child who is the subject of thePage 4, Line 5
proceeding is an Indian child, the petitioning or filing party shall sendPage 4, Line 6
notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to thePage 4, Line 7
parent or parents, the Indian custodian or Indian custodians of the childPage 4, Line 8
and to the tribal agent of the Indian child's tribe as designated in 25 CFRPage 4, Line 9
23, or, if there is no designated tribal agent, the petitioning or filing partyPage 4, Line 10
shall contact the tribe to be directed to the appropriate office orPage 4, Line 11
individual. In providing notice, the court and each party shall comply with 25 CFR 23.111.Page 4, Line 12
(c) The petitioning or filing party shall disclose in the complaint,Page 4, Line 13
petition, or other commencing pleading filed with the court that the childPage 4, Line 14
who is the subject of the proceeding is an Indian child and the identity ofPage 4, Line 15
the Indian child's tribe or what efforts the petitioning or filing party hasPage 4, Line 16
made in determining whether the child is an Indian child. If the child whoPage 4, Line 17
is the subject of the proceeding is determined to be an Indian child, thePage 4, Line 18
petitioning or filing party shall further identify what reasonable effortsPage 4, Line 19
have been made to send notice to the persons identified in subsectionPage 4, Line 20
(1)(b) of this section. The postal receipts indicating that notice wasPage 4, Line 21
properly sent by the petitioning or filing party to the parent or IndianPage 4, Line 22
custodian of the Indian child and to the Indian child's tribe must bePage 4, Line 23
attached to the complaint, petition, or other commencing pleading filedPage 5, Line 1
with the court; except that, if notification has not been perfected at thePage 5, Line 2
time the initial complaint, petition, or other commencing pleading is filedPage 5, Line 3
with the court or if the postal receipts have not been received back fromPage 5, Line 4
the post office, the petitioning or filing party shall file the postal receiptsPage 5, Line 5
with the court. Any responses sent by the tribal agents to the petitioningPage 5, Line 6
or filing party, the county department of human or social services, or the court must be distributed to the parties and deposited with the court.Page 5, Line 7
(2) If there is reason to know the child is an Indian child but thePage 5, Line 8
court does not have sufficient evidence to determine that the child is or is not an Indian child, the court shall:Page 5, Line 9
(a) Confirm, by way of a report, declaration, or testimony includedPage 5, Line 10
in the record, that the petitioning or filing party used due diligence toPage 5, Line 11
identify and work with all of the tribes of which there is reason to knowPage 5, Line 12
the child may be a member, or eligible for membership, to verify whetherPage 5, Line 13
the child is in fact a member, or a biological parent is a member and the child is eligible for membership; andPage 5, Line 14
(b) Treat the child as an Indian child, unless and until it isPage 5, Line 15
determined on the record that the child does not meet the definition of an Indian child.Page 5, Line 16
(3) If the court receives information that the child may havePage 5, Line 17
Indian heritage but does not have sufficient information to determine thatPage 5, Line 18
there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child pursuant toPage 5, Line 19
subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section, the court shall direct the petitioningPage 5, Line 20
or filing party to exercise due diligence in gathering additionalPage 5, Line 21
information that would assist the court in determining whether there isPage 5, Line 22
reason to know that the child is an Indian child. The court shall direct thePage 5, Line 23
petitioning or filing party to make a record of the effort taken toPage 6, Line 1
determine whether or not there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child.Page 6, Line 2
(4) The requirements of the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act ofPage 6, Line 3
1978", 25 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., in effect as of February 9, 2003, andPage 6, Line 4
the related regulations located at 25 CFR 23, in effect as of February 9, 2023, are incorporated into and adopted as state law.Page 6, Line 5SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 1.2 to title 19 as follows:
Page 6, Line 6ARTICLE 1.2
Colorado Indian Child Welfare Act
Page 6, Line 719-1.2-101. Short title.The short title of this article 1.2 is the "Colorado Indian Child Welfare Act".
Page 6, Line 819-1.2-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
Page 6, Line 9(a) Historically, an alarmingly high percentage of Indian
Page 6, Line 10families were disrupted by the removal, often unwarranted, of
Page 6, Line 11their children by non-tribal public and private agencies, and
Page 6, Line 12that a disturbingly high percentage of those Indian children
Page 6, Line 13were placed in non-Indian foster and adoptive homes and institutions;
Page 6, Line 14(b) As a result of these actions, thousands of Indian families, tribal nations, and entire cultures were devastated;
Page 6, Line 15(c) The states, in exercising their recognized jurisdiction
Page 6, Line 16over Indian child custody proceedings through administrative
Page 6, Line 17and judicial bodies, historically failed to recognize the
Page 6, Line 18essential tribal relations of Indian people and the cultural and
Page 6, Line 19social standards prevailing in Indian communities and cultures;
Page 7, Line 1(d) In response to these circumstances, the United States
Page 7, Line 2congress passed the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978",
Page 7, Line 325 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., known as "ICWA", to protect the best
Page 7, Line 4interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and
Page 7, Line 5security of Indian tribes and families by establishing minimum
Page 7, Line 6federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their
Page 7, Line 7families and for the placement of those Indian children in foster
Page 7, Line 8or adoptive homes that would reflect the unique values of
Page 7, Line 9Indian culture. The act provides assistance to Indian tribes in the operation of child and family service programs.
Page 7, Line 10(e) ICWA has been the subject of targeted attacks in the
Page 7, Line 11federal courts, including most recently in Haaland v. Brackeen,
Page 7, Line 12599 U.S. 255 (2023), in which the United States supreme court
Page 7, Line 13upheld ICWA in its entirety. Even with Haaland v. Brackeen upholding ICWA, the law remains subject to challenge.
Page 7, Line 14(f) The Colorado general assembly can combat
Page 7, Line 15challenges to ICWA by upholding ICWA's recognized "gold standard" in child welfare protection;
Page 7, Line 16(g) As of 2025, seventeen states have passed comprehensive
Page 7, Line 17state ICWA laws while Colorado has adopted parts of the
Page 7, Line 18federal law and, most recently in Senate Bill 23-211, adopted
Page 7, Line 19and incorporated ICWA and its regulations by reference as Colorado law;
Page 7, Line 20(h) A critical element of ICWA is the requirement to
Page 7, Line 21notify an Indian child's tribe when a state court proceeding is
Page 7, Line 22commenced that could result in the placement of the Indian
Page 7, Line 23child out of the Indian child's home. The purpose of the notice is
Page 8, Line 1to provide the Indian child's tribe the opportunity to transfer
Page 8, Line 2the case to a tribal court or otherwise participate in the state court proceeding.
Page 8, Line 3(i) To achieve these goals, it is crucial to determine,
Page 8, Line 4consistently and faithfully, whether a child who is the subject
Page 8, Line 5of these types of state court proceedings is an Indian child and
Page 8, Line 6to ensure that, if so, appropriate and timely notice is provided,
Page 8, Line 7particularly notice to the relevant tribes when the county
Page 8, Line 8department of human or social services receives information that a child may be an Indian child;
Page 8, Line 9(j) The state of Colorado has previously recognized that
Page 8, Line 10Indian tribes have a compelling interest in promoting and
Page 8, Line 11maintaining their integrity and culture by entering into federal
Page 8, Line 12"Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" agreements with the
Page 8, Line 13Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Indian
Page 8, Line 14Tribe. The agreements, among other things, place stringent
Page 8, Line 15notice requirements on the state in proceedings involving Indian
Page 8, Line 16children and provide for the delay of proceedings until the
Page 8, Line 17required notice has been provided to the tribe in question. The
Page 8, Line 18state of Colorado further recognizes that the department of
Page 8, Line 19human services may also enter into a tribal-state agreement
Page 8, Line 20with tribes outside of Colorado that have significant numbers
Page 8, Line 21of member Indian children or membership-eligible Indian children residing in Colorado.
Page 8, Line 22(k) Colorado is committed to the consistent application of
Page 8, Line 23and compliance with the federal ICWA throughout the state to
Page 8, Line 24ensure that proper notice is provided and procedures are
Page 9, Line 1followed as specified by ICWA when state court actions involve Indian children; and
Page 9, Line 2(l) Nothing is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Indian tribes than their children.
Page 9, Line 3(2) Therefore, the general assembly determines and declares that:
Page 9, Line 4(a) It is appropriate and in the best interests of the Indian
Page 9, Line 5families who are intended to be protected by the terms of the
Page 9, Line 6federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" and the Indian children represented thereby that:
Page 9, Line 7(I) The federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978"
Page 9, Line 8agreements entered into between the state of Colorado and the
Page 9, Line 9Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe are reaffirmed; and
Page 9, Line 10(II) A comprehensive Colorado "Indian Child Welfare Act"
Page 9, Line 11is enacted to ensure consistent and reliable compliance with the
Page 9, Line 12federal ICWA for the protection of Indian children within
Page 9, Line 13Colorado and to ensure that Indian children in this state are
Page 9, Line 14protected as stated should the federal law be appealed, modified, or otherwise annulled;
Page 9, Line 15(b) The state of Colorado recognizes all federally
Page 9, Line 16recognized Indian tribes as having the inherent authority to
Page 9, Line 17determine their own jurisdiction for any and all Indian child
Page 9, Line 18custody or child placement proceedings, regardless of whether
Page 9, Line 19the tribe's members are on or off the reservation and regardless of the procedural posture of the proceeding;
Page 9, Line 20(c) The state of Colorado has long recognized the
Page 10, Line 1importance of Indian children to their tribes, not only as
Page 10, Line 2members of tribal families and communities but also as the
Page 10, Line 3tribe's greatest resource as future members and leaders of the
Page 10, Line 4tribe. The vitality of Indian children in Colorado is essential to
Page 10, Line 5the health and welfare of both the state and tribes, and is
Page 10, Line 6essential to the future welfare and continued existence of the tribes.
Page 10, Line 7(d) It is the policy of the state to cooperate fully with
Page 10, Line 8Indian tribes and tribal citizens to ensure that the intent and provisions of the federal ICWA are enforced; and
Page 10, Line 9(e) Advancing ICWA is consistent with the "Colorado Children's Code" and with article II of the state constitution.
Page 10, Line 10(3) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the
Page 10, Line 11purpose of this article 1.2 is to codify the federal "Indian Child
Page 10, Line 12Welfare Act of 1978" into state law and to provide additional protections for Indian children pursuant to state law.
Page 10, Line 1319-1.2-103. Definitions.As used in this article 1.2, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 10, Line 14(1) "Active efforts" means efforts that are affirmative,
Page 10, Line 15active, thorough, timely, and intended to maintain or reunite an
Page 10, Line 16Indian child with the Indian child's family by providing remedial
Page 10, Line 17services and rehabilitative programs. "Active efforts" require
Page 10, Line 18more than a referral to a service and must be conducted in
Page 10, Line 19partnership with the Indian child, the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, extended family members, and the tribe.
Page 10, Line 20(2) (a) "Child custody proceeding" means a child custody
Page 10, Line 21proceeding within the court's jurisdiction and includes:
Page 11, Line 1(I) Foster care placements, including any action removing
Page 11, Line 2an Indian child from the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 11, Line 3custodian for temporary placement in a foster home or
Page 11, Line 4institution, or the home of a guardian or conservator when the
Page 11, Line 5Indian parent or Indian custodian cannot have the Indian child
Page 11, Line 6returned upon demand but parental rights have not been
Page 11, Line 7terminated, including, but not limited to, a hearing held pursuant to section 19-3-405, 19-3-507, 19-3-508, or 19-3-702;
Page 11, Line 8(II) Termination of parental rights, including any action resulting in the termination of the parent-child relationship;
Page 11, Line 9(III) Pre-adoptive placement, including the temporary
Page 11, Line 10placement of an Indian child in a foster home or institution
Page 11, Line 11after the termination of parental rights but prior to or in lieu of adoptive placement;
Page 11, Line 12(IV) Adoptive placement, including the permanent
Page 11, Line 13placement of an Indian child for adoption and any action resulting in a final decree of adoption;
Page 11, Line 14(V) A parentage determination; and
Page 11, Line 15(VI) Guardianship or allocation of parental
Page 11, Line 16responsibilities to a nonparent, including an action taken in a
Page 11, Line 17probate or domestic relations case removing an Indian child
Page 11, Line 18from the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian for temporary
Page 11, Line 19placement in the home of a guardian, conservator, or nonparent
Page 11, Line 20when the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian cannot have
Page 11, Line 21the Indian child returned upon demand but parental rights have not been terminated.
Page 11, Line 22(b) An action that may culminate in one of the outcomes
Page 12, Line 1described in subsection (2)(a) of this section is a separate child
Page 12, Line 2custody proceeding from an action that may culminate in a
Page 12, Line 3different one of the outcomes. There may be several child
Page 12, Line 4custody proceedings involving an Indian child, and within each
Page 12, Line 5child custody proceeding, there may be several separate hearings.
Page 12, Line 6(c) "Child custody proceeding" does not include:
Page 12, Line 7(I) A proceeding for the custody or support of, or
Page 12, Line 8parenting time with, an Indian child that is solely between two parents;
Page 12, Line 9(II) An emergency proceeding as described in section 19-1.2-110; or
Page 12, Line 10(III) A delinquency proceeding other than those based solely on a status offense.
Page 12, Line 11(3) "Court" means a district court, juvenile court, or probate court that is presiding over a child custody proceeding.
Page 12, Line 12(4) "Custody" or "continued custody" means having legal
Page 12, Line 13or physical custody, or both, of an Indian child pursuant to
Page 12, Line 14applicable tribal law, tribal custom, or state law. An individual
Page 12, Line 15has custody of an Indian child if the individual is the Indian
Page 12, Line 16child's parent, if the individual has physical custody through an
Page 12, Line 17arrangement with the Indian child's parent outside of the
Page 12, Line 18involvement of a child welfare or child placement agency, or if
Page 12, Line 19the individual has legal custody of the Indian child pursuant to applicable tribal law, tribal custom, or state law.
Page 12, Line 20(5) (a) "Domicile" means the place an individual regards as
Page 12, Line 21home, where the individual intends to remain, or to which, if absent, the individual intends to return.
Page 13, Line 1(b) An Indian child's domicile, in order of priority, is the domicile of:
Page 13, Line 2(I) The Indian child's parents or, if the Indian child's
Page 13, Line 3parents do not have the same domicile, the Indian child's parent who has physical custody of the Indian child;
Page 13, Line 4(II) The Indian child's Indian custodian; or
(III) The Indian child's guardian.
Page 13, Line 5(6) "Due diligence" means the earnest endeavor of the
Page 13, Line 6court and the petitioning or filing party to investigate the basis
Page 13, Line 7for a party's or other individual's assertion that a child may be an Indian child, as described in section 19-1.2-108.
Page 13, Line 8(7) "Emergency proceeding" means any court action that
Page 13, Line 9involves the emergency removal or emergency placement of an
Page 13, Line 10Indian child, including removal pursuant to section 19-1.2-110,
Page 13, Line 1119-1.2-124, 19-3-405, 14-10-129 (4), or 15-14-204 (5) with or without
Page 13, Line 12a protective custody order, or a temporary shelter care proceeding pursuant to section 19-3-401 or 19-3-403.
Page 13, Line 13(8) (a) "Extended family member" has the same meaning as
Page 13, Line 14given in the tribal law or tribal custom of the Indian child's tribe.
Page 13, Line 15(b) If the meaning of "extended family member" cannot be
Page 13, Line 16determined pursuant to subsection (8)(a) of this section,
Page 13, Line 17"extended family member" means an individual who has attained
Page 13, Line 18eighteen years of age and who is the Indian child's grandparent,
Page 13, Line 19aunt, uncle, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece,
Page 13, Line 20nephew, first or second cousin, godparent, stepparent, or
Page 14, Line 1stepgrandparent, or as determined by the Indian child's tribe
Page 14, Line 2member. Even following termination of a marriage, a godparent,
Page 14, Line 3stepparent, or stepgrandparent is considered an "extended family member".
Page 14, Line 4(9) "Indian" means an individual who is a member of an
Page 14, Line 5Indian tribe or who is an Alaska Native and a member of a
Page 14, Line 6regional corporation, as defined in the "Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act", 43 U.S.C. sec. 1606.
Page 14, Line 7(10) "Indian child" means an unmarried individual who has not attained eighteen years of age and:
Page 14, Line 8(a) Is a member or citizen of an Indian tribe; or
Page 14, Line 9(b) Is eligible for membership or citizenship in an Indian
Page 14, Line 10tribe as determined by that Indian tribe in writing or orally on
Page 14, Line 11the record and is the biological child of a member of an Indian tribe.
Page 14, Line 12(11) "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" or "ICWA" means
Page 14, Line 13the federal law found at 25 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq. and its implementing regulations.
Page 14, Line 14(12) "Indian custodian" means an Indian, other than the
Page 14, Line 15Indian child's parent, who has been granted legal custody or
Page 14, Line 16guardianship of the Indian child pursuant to tribal law, tribal
Page 14, Line 17custom, or state law, or to whom temporary physical care,
Page 14, Line 18custody, and control has been transferred by the Indian child's
Page 14, Line 19parent outside the involvement of a child welfare or child placement agency.
Page 14, Line 20(13) "Indian organization" means a group, association,
Page 14, Line 21partnership, corporation, or other legal entity owned or controlled by Indians or with a majority of Indian members.
Page 15, Line 1(14) "Indian tribe" or "tribe" means an Indian tribe, clan,
Page 15, Line 2band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians
Page 15, Line 3federally recognized as eligible for the services provided to
Page 15, Line 4Indians by the United States secretary of the interior because
Page 15, Line 5of their status as Indians, including any Alaska Native village
Page 15, Line 6as defined in the federal "Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act", 43 U.S.C. sec. 1602 (c).
Page 15, Line 7(15) "Member" or "membership" means a determination by
Page 15, Line 8an Indian tribe through its tribal law or tribal custom that an individual is a member or citizen of that Indian tribe.
Page 15, Line 9(16) "Parent" means:
Page 15, Line 10(a) A biological parent of an Indian child, except for an
Page 15, Line 11unwed father whose parentage has not been acknowledged or
Page 15, Line 12established pursuant to section 19-1.2-105, the "Uniform Parentage Act", article 4 of this title 19, or tribal law;
Page 15, Line 13(b) An individual who has lawfully adopted an Indian
Page 15, Line 14child, including an adoption made pursuant to tribal law or tribal custom; or
Page 15, Line 15(c) A parent whose parentage has been acknowledged or
Page 15, Line 16established pursuant to section 19-1.2-105, the "Uniform Parentage Act", article 4 of this title 19, or tribal law.
Page 15, Line 17(17) "Party" or "parties" means a party to a child custody proceeding.
Page 15, Line 18(18) "Reason to know" means that a court or a petitioning
Page 15, Line 19or filing party has reason to know that a child is an Indian
Page 15, Line 20child, as described in section 19-1.2-108.
(19) "Reservation" means:
Page 16, Line 1(a) Indian country, as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 1151, and
Page 16, Line 2any lands not covered pursuant to that section and title that
Page 16, Line 3are held by the United States in trust for the benefit of an
Page 16, Line 4Indian tribe or individual or held by an Indian tribe or individual
Page 16, Line 5subject to a restriction by the United States against alienation; or
Page 16, Line 6(b) For the Southern Ute Indian reservation, those lands
Page 16, Line 7include any lands confirmed pursuant to Pub.L. 98-290 and any
Page 16, Line 8other land subsequently placed in trust by the United States for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's benefit.
Page 16, Line 9(20) "Termination of parental rights" includes the
Page 16, Line 10termination of parental rights pursuant to section 19-3-604 or
Page 16, Line 11the termination of parental rights resulting from an adoption proceeding pursuant to section 19-5-101, 19-5-105.5, or 19-5-105.7.
Page 16, Line 12(21) "Tribal court" means a court with jurisdiction over
Page 16, Line 13Indian child custody proceedings that is either a court of Indian
Page 16, Line 14offenses, a court established and operated under the law or
Page 16, Line 15custom of an Indian tribe, or any other administrative body of
Page 16, Line 16a tribe that is vested with authority over Indian child custody proceedings.
Page 16, Line 17(22) "Tribal customary adoption" means the adoption of
Page 16, Line 18an Indian child by and through tribal law or tribal custom of
Page 16, Line 19the Indian child's tribe and that may be effected without the termination of parental rights.
Page 16, Line 2019-1.2-104. Applicability - incorporation of federal law.
Page 16, Line 21(1) Unless explicitly stated otherwise in this article 1.2, all
Page 17, Line 1provisions of this article 1.2 apply to all child custody
Page 17, Line 2proceedings; any matter brought pursuant to the "Uniform
Page 17, Line 3Dissolution of Marriage Act", article 10 of title 14; the
Page 17, Line 4"Colorado Probate Code", articles 10 to 17 of title 15; all other
Page 17, Line 5private matters that meet the definition of a child custody proceeding; and the "Colorado Children's Code", this title 19.
Page 17, Line 6(2) In a case filed pursuant to this article 1.2 that
Page 17, Line 7constitutes a child custody proceeding, the court and each
Page 17, Line 8party to the proceeding shall also comply with the federal
Page 17, Line 9implementing regulations of the federal "Indian Child Welfare
Page 17, Line 10Act of 1978" that outline the minimum federal standards
Page 17, Line 11governing ICWA's implementation to ensure that ICWA is applied
Page 17, Line 12in Colorado consistent with the ICWA's express language,
Page 17, Line 13congress's intent in enacting ICWA, and to promote the stability and security of Indian children, tribes, and families.
Page 17, Line 14(3) All provisions of the federal "Indian Child Welfare
Page 17, Line 15Act of 1978" are incorporated into this article 1.2, even if not
Page 17, Line 16specifically referenced. This article 1.2 may provide additional
Page 17, Line 17protections beyond those required by the federal ICWA, in which case the provisions of this article 1.2 apply.
Page 17, Line 1819-1.2-105. Parentage of an Indian child - acknowledged or
Page 17, Line 19established - applicability of article. (1) Parentage of an Indian
Page 17, Line 20child is acknowledged or established for purposes of this article 1.2 if the individual's parentage has been:
Page 17, Line 21(a) Established pursuant to article 4 of this title 19;
(b) Established pursuant to tribal law; or
Page 17, Line 22(c) Recognized in accordance with tribal custom.
Page 18, Line 1(2) (a) For purposes of determining the biological parent
Page 18, Line 2of an Indian child, a court may order genetic tests pursuant to section 19-4-112 or 13-25-126.
Page 18, Line 3(b) If an individual fails to comply with the court's order
Page 18, Line 4for genetic tests within a reasonable amount of time, the court
Page 18, Line 5may issue a subpoena pursuant to section 19-4-112 or issue an order to compel the individual to appear for genetic tests.
Page 18, Line 6(c) If the genetic tests ordered pursuant to this
Page 18, Line 7subsection (2) do not confirm that an individual is the biological
Page 18, Line 8parent of the child as provided in section 19-4-105 (1)(f), or if the
Page 18, Line 9individual has refused to consent to the genetic tests, the individual is not established as the child's biological parent.
Page 18, Line 10(3) This article 1.2 applies in its entirety if an individual is
Page 18, Line 11determined to be a parent of an Indian child, regardless of whether the parent has had prior custody of the Indian child.
Page 18, Line 1219-1.2-106. Best interests of an Indian child - factors to
Page 18, Line 13consider. (1) In a child custody proceeding involving an Indian
Page 18, Line 14child, when making a determination regarding the best interests
Page 18, Line 15of the Indian child, the court shall, in consultation with the
Page 18, Line 16Indian child's tribe and tribal community, as determined by the Indian child's tribe, consider the following:
Page 18, Line 17(a) The Indian child's mental, physical, and emotional needs, including the Indian child's preferences;
Page 18, Line 18(b) The prevention of unnecessary out-of-home placement of the Indian child;
Page 18, Line 19(c) The prioritization of placement of the Indian child in
Page 18, Line 20accordance with the placement preferences set forth in section 19-1.2-120;
Page 19, Line 1(d) The value to the Indian child of establishing,
Page 19, Line 2developing, or maintaining a political, cultural, social, and
Page 19, Line 3spiritual relationship with the Indian child's tribe and tribal community; and
Page 19, Line 4(e) The importance to the Indian child of the Indian tribe's
Page 19, Line 5or tribal community's ability to maintain the tribe's or tribal
Page 19, Line 6community's existence and integrity for the stability and security of Indian children and families.
Page 19, Line 819-1.2-107. Initial disclosures - inquiry and determination -
Page 19, Line 9form of inquiry - due diligence - Indian child's tribe - written
Page 19, Line 10findings. (1) Initial disclosures.The petitioning or filing party
Page 19, Line 11shall disclose in the complaint, petition, or other commencing
Page 19, Line 12pleading filed with the court that the child who is the subject of
Page 19, Line 13the child custody proceeding is an Indian child and the identity
Page 19, Line 14of the Indian child's tribe or tribes, or efforts the petitioning or
Page 19, Line 15filing party has made in determining whether the child is an Indian child, including, but not limited to:
Page 19, Line 16(a) If the petitioning or filing party indicates in the
Page 19, Line 17complaint, petition, or other commencing pleading that the child
Page 19, Line 18who is the subject of the child custody proceeding is an Indian
Page 19, Line 19child, the petitioning or filing party shall further identify what
Page 19, Line 20reasonable efforts have been made to send notice to the individuals identified in subsection (3)(d) of this section;
Page 19, Line 21(b) The postal receipts or copies of postal receipts from
Page 19, Line 22the notice sent pursuant to subsection (3)(d) of this section
Page 20, Line 1indicating that the notice was properly sent by the petitioning
Page 20, Line 2or filing party to the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian
Page 20, Line 3and to the Indian child's tribe or tribes. The postal receipts must
Page 20, Line 4be attached to the complaint, petition, or other commencing
Page 20, Line 5pleading filed with the court; except that, if notification has
Page 20, Line 6not been perfected at the time the initial complaint, petition, or
Page 20, Line 7other commencing pleading is filed with the court, or if the
Page 20, Line 8postal receipts have not been received back from the post office,
Page 20, Line 9the petitioning or filing party shall file the postal receipts with the court upon receipt of the postal receipts.
Page 20, Line 10(c) Any responses sent by a tribal agent to the petitioning
Page 20, Line 11or filing party, a county department, or the court, which
Page 20, Line 12responses must be distributed to the parties and filed with the court.
Page 20, Line 13(2) Indian child inquiry and determination.At the
Page 20, Line 14commencement of each child custody proceeding, the court
Page 20, Line 15shall make inquiries to determine whether the child who is the
Page 20, Line 16subject of the proceeding is an Indian child. In determining whether the child is an Indian child:
Page 20, Line 17(a) The court shall ask each participant in an emergency,
Page 20, Line 18voluntary, or involuntary child custody proceeding whether
Page 20, Line 19the participant knows or has reason to know that the child is an
Page 20, Line 20Indian child or whether the participant has information that is
Page 20, Line 21relevant to determining whether the child is an Indian child.
Page 20, Line 22Any response to the inquiry must be made on the record. The
Page 20, Line 23court shall instruct the participants to inform the court if a
Page 20, Line 24participant subsequently receives information that provides reason to know the child is an Indian child.
Page 21, Line 1(b) No later than the first appearance after an expedited
Page 21, Line 2hearing held pursuant to section 19-3-217 or 19-3-403, each party
Page 21, Line 3to the child custody proceeding shall disclose to the court and
Page 21, Line 4the petitioning and filing parties information indicating that the
Page 21, Line 5child is an Indian child, including, but not limited to, providing
Page 21, Line 6an identification card indicating the child's membership in a
Page 21, Line 7tribe. The court shall order the parties to provide information
Page 21, Line 8learned thereafter to the court and all parties no later than
Page 21, Line 9seven days after receiving the relevant information or prior to the next hearing on the matter, whichever occurs first.
Page 21, Line 10(3) Form of inquiry. (a) At the commencement of the child
Page 21, Line 11custody proceeding, the petitioning or filing party shall make a
Page 21, Line 12record, either in writing or orally in open court on the record,
Page 21, Line 13of the party's good faith efforts to determine whether the child
Page 21, Line 14is an Indian child, including, at a minimum, inquiries made by consulting with:
Page 21, Line 15(I) The child, directly or through the child's representative;
Page 21, Line 16(II) The child's parent or parents;
Page 21, Line 17(III) An individual having custody of the child or with whom the child resides;
Page 21, Line 18(IV) The child's extended family members;
Page 21, Line 19(V) Any other individual who may reasonably be expected
Page 21, Line 20to have information regarding the child's membership or eligibility for membership in an Indian tribe; and
Page 21, Line 21(VI) An Indian tribe when information from inquiries made
Page 22, Line 1pursuant to subsections (3)(a)(I) to (3)(a)(V) of this section
Page 22, Line 2indicate that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Indian
Page 22, Line 3tribe may provide additional information regarding whether the
Page 22, Line 4child is a member of that tribe or whether the child may be eligible for membership in that tribe.
Page 22, Line 5(b) The court, upon reviewing the record of inquiries made
Page 22, Line 6pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section, has reason to know that a child is an Indian child if:
Page 22, Line 7(I) A participant in the child custody proceeding, an
Page 22, Line 8officer of the court involved in the child custody proceeding, an
Page 22, Line 9Indian tribe, an Indian organization, or an agency informs the court that the child is an Indian child;
Page 22, Line 10(II) A participant in the child custody proceeding, an
Page 22, Line 11officer of the court involved in the child custody proceeding, an
Page 22, Line 12Indian tribe, an Indian organization, or an agency informs the
Page 22, Line 13court that it has discovered information indicating that the child is an Indian child;
Page 22, Line 14(III) The child who is the subject of the child custody
Page 22, Line 15proceeding gives the court reason to know that the child is an Indian child;
Page 22, Line 16(IV) The court is informed that the domicile or residence
Page 22, Line 17of the child, the child's parent, or the child's Indian custodian is
Page 22, Line 18or was on a reservation of a federally recognized Indian tribe or in an Alaska Native village;
Page 22, Line 19(V) The court is informed that the child is or has been a ward of a tribal court.
Page 22, Line 20(VI) The court is informed that the child or the child's
Page 23, Line 1parent possesses an identification card or other sufficient documentation indicating membership in an Indian tribe;
Page 23, Line 2(VII) The court is informed that the parent or child
Page 23, Line 3received health services from an Indian health service or tribal health facility;
Page 23, Line 4(VIII) The court or the petitioning or filing party receives
Page 23, Line 5any other reasonably credible information, regardless of
Page 23, Line 6admissibility, that a parent or the child has an identifiable
Page 23, Line 7connection with a specific federally recognized tribe or tribes beyond a generalized assertion of heritage;
Page 23, Line 8(IX) The court is informed that there are school records
Page 23, Line 9indicating that the child is an enrolled member of an Indian tribe; or
Page 23, Line 10(X) After performing due diligence pursuant to subsection
Page 23, Line 11(4) of this section, information is presented to the court that
Page 23, Line 12subsections (3)(b)(I) to (3)(b)(IX) of this section apply or that the child is an Indian child.
Page 23, Line 13(c) The court shall make specific findings, either in writing
Page 23, Line 14or orally on the record, regarding its reason to know that the child is an Indian child.
Page 23, Line 15(d) If the court knows, or has reason to know as described
Page 23, Line 16in subsection (3)(b) of this section, that the child who is the
Page 23, Line 17subject of the child custody proceeding is an Indian child, the
Page 23, Line 18petitioning or filing party shall send notice by registered or
Page 23, Line 19certified mail, return receipt requested, to the parent of the
Page 23, Line 20child, the child's Indian custodian, and the tribal agent of the
Page 23, Line 21Indian child's tribe or tribes, or, if there is not a designated
Page 24, Line 1tribal agent, the petitioning or filing party shall contact the
Page 24, Line 2Indian tribe for direction to the appropriate office or individual.
Page 24, Line 3In providing the notice, the court and each party shall comply with the federal ICWA and this article 1.2.
Page 24, Line 4(4) (a) Due diligence.If the court receives information that
Page 24, Line 5the child may have Indian heritage but the court lacks
Page 24, Line 6sufficient information to determine that there is reason to know
Page 24, Line 7that the child is an Indian child pursuant to subsection (3) of
Page 24, Line 8this section, the court shall direct the petitioning or filing
Page 24, Line 9party to exercise due diligence in gathering additional
Page 24, Line 10information pursuant to subsection (4)(b) of this section, ensure
Page 24, Line 11that the due diligence requirements are followed, and ensure
Page 24, Line 12that all information known to the parties is disclosed in writing
Page 24, Line 13or orally on the record. The court shall direct the petitioning
Page 24, Line 14or filing party to make a record, either in writing or orally on
Page 24, Line 15the record, of the due diligence efforts taken to determine
Page 24, Line 16whether there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child.
Page 24, Line 17(b) In performing due diligence, the petitioning or filing party shall, at a minimum:
Page 24, Line 18(I) Ask each party, including the child directly or
Page 24, Line 19through the child's representative, what information the party has regarding the child's Indian heritage, if any;
Page 24, Line 20(II) Ask or earnestly attempt to ask each parent what
Page 24, Line 21information the parent has regarding the child's Indian
Page 24, Line 22heritage, if any; where and how the parent received the
Page 24, Line 23information; and what, if any, other information sources the
Page 25, Line 1parent believes may have additional information regarding the
Page 25, Line 2child's Indian heritage, if any, including other relatives and their contact information, if known or reasonably obtained;
Page 25, Line 3(III) Conduct searches for family and document-identified
Page 25, Line 4family relatives or kin who may have information regarding the child's Indian heritage, if any;
Page 25, Line 5(IV) Ask or attempt to ask identified family relatives or
Page 25, Line 6kin for information the relatives or kin have regarding the
Page 25, Line 7child's Indian heritage, if any, and where and how the relatives or kin received that information;
Page 25, Line 8(V) Review court and agency records identified by the
Page 25, Line 9parents and provided to the petitioner or filing party, or to
Page 25, Line 10which the petitioner or filing party has previously been granted
Page 25, Line 11access through the state automated child welfare system or
Page 25, Line 12the ICON system at the state judicial department, for all child
Page 25, Line 13custody proceedings related to the child and parents for information regarding the child's Indian heritage, if any;and
Page 25, Line 14(VI) Contact the tribal representative or representatives
Page 25, Line 15by email, phone call, letter, or any other means agreed to by the
Page 25, Line 16parties regarding whether the child may be eligible for tribal
Page 25, Line 17membership when informed that a parent, child, or specific
Page 25, Line 18extended family member has a potential connection with a federally recognized tribe or tribes.
Page 25, Line 19 (c) In performing due diligence, the petitioning or filing
Page 25, Line 20party may, if a known connection has not been identified
Page 25, Line 21pursuant to subsection (4)(b) of this section but the court or
Page 25, Line 22petitioning or filing party receives a reasonably credible
Page 26, Line 1assertion of the child's Indian heritage without identification of
Page 26, Line 2a specific tribe or tribes but narrowed to a region of the United
Page 26, Line 3States, ask either relevant tribes in that identified region or the
Page 26, Line 4relevant bureau of Indian affairs office if the relevant tribes or
Page 26, Line 5bureau have information relevant to the determination that the child is an Indian child.
Page 26, Line 6(d) Subsection (4)(b) of this section does not prevent a
Page 26, Line 7petitioning party from sending a written inquiry to an asserted
Page 26, Line 8tribe for the purpose of satisfying the due diligence
Page 26, Line 9requirements pursuant to subsection (4)(b)(VI) of this section. A
Page 26, Line 10written inquiry must not be construed as formal notice and is
Page 26, Line 11not considered a determination that there is reason to know the child is an Indian child.
Page 26, Line 12(5) (a) Indian child's tribe.If the child is an Indian child, the Indian child's tribe is:
Page 26, Line 13(I) The tribe of which the Indian child is a member or
Page 26, Line 14eligible for membership if the Indian child is a member of or is eligible for membership in only one tribe;
Page 26, Line 15(II) The tribe of which the Indian child is a member if the
Page 26, Line 16Indian child is a member of one tribe but is eligible for membership in one or more other tribes; or
Page 26, Line 17(III) If the Indian child is a member of more than one tribe
Page 26, Line 18or if the Indian child is not a member of any tribe but is eligible for membership in more than one tribe:
Page 26, Line 19(A) The tribe designated by an agreement between the
Page 26, Line 20tribes of which the Indian child is a member or in which the Indian
Page 26, Line 21child is eligible for membership; or
Page 27, Line 1(B) If the tribes are unable to agree on the designation of the Indian child's tribe, the tribe designated by the court.
Page 27, Line 2(b) When designating an Indian child's tribe pursuant to
Page 27, Line 3subsection (5)(a)(III)(A) of this section, the court shall, after a
Page 27, Line 4hearing, designate the tribe with which the Indian child has the more significant contacts, taking into consideration:
Page 27, Line 5(I) The preference of the Indian child's parent;
Page 27, Line 6(II) The duration of the Indian child's residency at their
Page 27, Line 7current or prior domicile or residence on or near the reservation of each tribe;
Page 27, Line 8(III) The tribal membership of the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian;
Page 27, Line 9(IV) The interests asserted by each tribe;
Page 27, Line 10(V) Whether a tribe has previously adjudicated a case involving the Indian child; and
Page 27, Line 11(VI) The self-identification of the Indian child if the court
Page 27, Line 12determines that the Indian child is of sufficient age and capacity to meaningfully self-identify.
Page 27, Line 13(6) Written findings.The court shall make written findings determining whether the petitioning or filing party:
Page 27, Line 14(a) Satisfied its inquiry and due diligence requirements
Page 27, Line 15concerning whether the child is an Indian child or whether there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child;
Page 27, Line 16(b) Verified whether the child is in fact a member of a
Page 27, Line 17tribe, or a biological parent of the child is a member of a tribe, and the child is eligible for membership;
Page 27, Line 18(c) Documented all contact with:
Page 28, Line 1(I) The respective tribe or tribes. This contact must
Page 28, Line 2include at least two contacts or good faith attempts to
Page 28, Line 3contact the tribe or tribes within seventy days after the
Page 28, Line 4finding, unless the tribe or tribes provided written
Page 28, Line 5documentation indicating membership, eligibility, or ineligibility of the child.
Page 28, Line 6(II) The bureau of Indian affairs to seek assistance with
Page 28, Line 7contacting the tribe or tribes, if good faith attempts to contact the tribe or tribes have been unsuccessful; and
Page 28, Line 8(d) Treated the child as an Indian child, unless and until
Page 28, Line 9it is determined on the record that the child does not meet the definition of an Indian child.
Page 28, Line 1019-1.2-108. Formal notice - language, accessibility, and content
Page 28, Line 11requirements. (1) Notices required by this article 1.2 in a child
Page 28, Line 12custody proceeding must be provided in clear, accessible, and
Page 28, Line 13understandable language and include the following information:
Page 28, Line 14(a) The Indian child's name, date of birth, and place of birth;
Page 28, Line 15(b) To the extent known, all names, including maiden,
Page 28, Line 16married, and former names or aliases of the Indian child's
Page 28, Line 17parents, the parents' birthplaces, and the parents' tribal enrollment information;
Page 28, Line 18(c) To the extent known, the names, dates of birth, places
Page 28, Line 19of birth, and tribal enrollment information of other direct lineal ancestors of the Indian child;
Page 28, Line 20(d) The name of each Indian tribe of which the Indian child
Page 29, Line 1is a member or in which the Indian child may be eligible for membership;
Page 29, Line 2(e) To the extent known, information regarding the Indian
Page 29, Line 3child's direct lineal ancestors, an ancestral chart for each
Page 29, Line 4biological parent, and the Indian child's tribal affiliation and blood quantum;
Page 29, Line 5(f) A copy of the petition or motion initiating the
Page 29, Line 6proceeding and, if a hearing has been scheduled, information on the date, time, and location of the hearing;
Page 29, Line 7(g) The name of the petitioning or filing party and the name and address of the party's attorney;
Page 29, Line 8(h) A statement that the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 29, Line 9custodian has the right to participate in the proceeding pursuant to section 19-1.2-113;
Page 29, Line 10(i) A statement that the Indian child's tribe has the right
Page 29, Line 11to intervene or participate in the proceeding as a party or in an advisory capacity pursuant to section 19-1.2-113;
Page 29, Line 12(j) A statement that if the court determines that the
Page 29, Line 13Indian child's parent or Indian custodian is unable to afford
Page 29, Line 14counsel, the parent or Indian custodian has the right to court-appointed counsel;
Page 29, Line 15(k) A statement that the Indian child's parent, Indian
Page 29, Line 16custodian, or tribe has the right, upon request, to up to twenty additional days to prepare for the proceeding;
Page 29, Line 17(l) A statement that the Indian child's parent, Indian
Page 29, Line 18custodian, or tribe has the right to petition the court to
Page 29, Line 19transfer the child custody proceeding to the tribal court;
Page 30, Line 1(m) A statement describing the potential legal
Page 30, Line 2consequences of the proceeding on future parental and custodial rights of the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian;
Page 30, Line 3(n) The mailing address and telephone numbers of the
Page 30, Line 4court and contact information for all parties to the proceeding and the individuals notified pursuant to this section; and
Page 30, Line 5(o) A statement that the information contained in the
Page 30, Line 6notice is confidential and must not be shared with any individual
Page 30, Line 7who does not need the information to exercise rights pursuant to this article 1.2.
Page 30, Line 8(2) If the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian has
Page 30, Line 9limited English proficiency and may not understand the
Page 30, Line 10contents of the notice provided pursuant to this section, the
Page 30, Line 11court shall provide language access services as required by
Page 30, Line 12Title VI of the federal "Civil Rights Act of 1964", 42 U.S.C. sec.
Page 30, Line 132000e et seq., and other applicable federal and state laws. If the
Page 30, Line 14court is unable to secure translation or interpretation support,
Page 30, Line 15the court shall contact or direct a party to contact the Indian
Page 30, Line 16child's tribe or the local office of the federal bureau of Indian
Page 30, Line 17affairs for assistance identifying a qualified translator or interpreter.
Page 30, Line 18(3) (a) A hearing that requires notice pursuant to this
Page 30, Line 19section must not be held until at least ten days after the latest
Page 30, Line 20receipt of the notice by the Indian child's parent, Indian
Page 30, Line 21custodian, tribe, or, if applicable, the federal bureau of Indian
Page 30, Line 22affairs. Upon request, the court shall grant the Indian child's
Page 30, Line 23parent, Indian custodian, or tribe up to twenty-one additional
Page 31, Line 1days after the date upon which notice was received by the Indian
Page 31, Line 2child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe to prepare for participation in the hearing.
Page 31, Line 3(b) This subsection (3) does not prevent a court, during an
Page 31, Line 4emergency proceeding before the expiration of the waiting
Page 31, Line 5period described in subsection (3)(a) of this section, from
Page 31, Line 6reviewing the removal of an Indian child from the Indian child's
Page 31, Line 7parent or Indian custodian to determine whether the removal or
Page 31, Line 8placement is no longer necessary to prevent imminent physical harm or danger to the Indian child.
Page 31, Line 919-1.2-109. Enrollment of an Indian child with a tribe.
Page 31, Line 10(1) Unless an Indian child's parent objects, the petitioning or
Page 31, Line 11filing party or the Indian tribe shall assist in enrolling an
Page 31, Line 12Indian child who is in the court's jurisdiction in a tribe with
Page 31, Line 13which the child is eligible for enrollment. If the Indian child is
Page 31, Line 14eligible to be enrolled in more than one tribe, the court shall determine membership pursuant to section 19-1.2-107.
Page 31, Line 15(2) In accordance with subsection (1) of this section, when
Page 31, Line 16the petitioning or filing party, including a county department or
Page 31, Line 17a child placement agency, has reason to know that the child is
Page 31, Line 18an Indian child, the petitioning or filing party shall, at a
Page 31, Line 19minimum, state in writing or orally on the record the relevant
Page 31, Line 20tribe or tribes with which the child may be eligible for
Page 31, Line 21enrollment to determine if the child is in fact eligible for
Page 31, Line 22enrollment. The notification to the relevant tribe or tribes may
Page 31, Line 23be done in conjunction with the notice requirements set forth in
Page 31, Line 24section 19-1.2-107 (1)(b).
Page 32, Line 1(3) In a child custody proceeding, when the petitioning or
Page 32, Line 2filing party has reason to know that the child is an Indian child
Page 32, Line 3and that the Indian child is eligible for enrollment in a tribe,
Page 32, Line 4the petitioning or filing party shall notify the Indian child and
Page 32, Line 5the Indian child's parent of the parent's right to object to the
Page 32, Line 6petitioning or filing party's assistance pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
Page 32, Line 719-1.2-110. Emergency proceeding - emergency removal -
Page 32, Line 8termination of emergency - duration. (1) If an individual or agency
Page 32, Line 9takes a child into protective custody, the individual or agency
Page 32, Line 10shall, at the commencement of the emergency proceeding, make a good faith effort to:
Page 32, Line 11(a) Determine whether the individual or agency has
Page 32, Line 12reason to know that the child is an Indian child pursuant to section 19-1.2-108 (3); and
Page 32, Line 13(b) Contact by telephone, email, facsimile, or other means
Page 32, Line 14of immediate communication any tribe of which the child is or
Page 32, Line 15may be a member or eligible for membership to determine the
Page 32, Line 16child's tribal affiliation. Notification must include the basis for
Page 32, Line 17the child's removal; the time, date, and place of the initial
Page 32, Line 18hearing; and a statement that the tribe has the right to
Page 32, Line 19participate in the proceeding as a party or in an advisory capacity pursuant to section 19-1.2-113.
Page 32, Line 20(2) An emergency removal or placement of an Indian child
Page 32, Line 21pursuant to this section terminates immediately when the
Page 32, Line 22removal or placement is no longer necessary to prevent
Page 32, Line 23imminent physical harm or danger to the Indian child. In such a removal or placement, the court shall:
Page 33, Line 1(a) Make a finding on the record that the emergency
Page 33, Line 2removal or placement is necessary to prevent imminent physical harm or danger to the Indian child;
Page 33, Line 3(b) Promptly hold a hearing on whether the emergency
Page 33, Line 4removal or placement continues to be necessary when new information indicates that the emergency situation has ended;
Page 33, Line 5(c) At any court hearing during the emergency
Page 33, Line 6proceeding, determine whether the emergency removal or
Page 33, Line 7placement is no longer necessary to prevent imminent physical harm or danger to the Indian child; and
Page 33, Line 8(d) Immediately terminate, or ensure that the individual
Page 33, Line 9or agency that took the child into protective custody
Page 33, Line 10immediately terminates, the emergency proceeding once the
Page 33, Line 11court or agency possesses sufficient evidence to determine that
Page 33, Line 12the emergency removal or placement is no longer necessary to prevent imminent physical harm or danger to the Indian child.
Page 33, Line 13(3) A petition for a court order authorizing the
Page 33, Line 14emergency removal or continued emergency placement of an
Page 33, Line 15Indian child, and its accompanying documents, must contain a
Page 33, Line 16statement of the risk of imminent physical harm or danger to the
Page 33, Line 17Indian child and any evidence that the emergency removal or
Page 33, Line 18placement continues to be necessary to prevent the imminent
Page 33, Line 19physical harm or danger to the Indian child. The petition, and its
Page 33, Line 20accompanying documents, must also contain the following information:
Page 33, Line 21(a) The name, age, and last-known address of the Indian child;
Page 34, Line 1(b) The name and last-known address of the Indian child's parents or Indian custodian, if any;
Page 34, Line 2(c) The steps taken to provide notice to the Indian child's parents, custodian, and tribe about the emergency proceeding;
Page 34, Line 3(d) If the Indian child's parents or Indian custodian is
Page 34, Line 4unknown, a detailed explanation of what efforts have been
Page 34, Line 5made to locate and contact them, including contact with the appropriate federal bureau of Indian affairs regional director;
Page 34, Line 6(e) The residence and domicile of the Indian child;
Page 34, Line 7(f) If either the residence or domicile of the Indian child
Page 34, Line 8is believed to be on a reservation or in an Alaska Native village,
Page 34, Line 9the name of the tribe affiliated with that reservation or village;
Page 34, Line 10(g) The tribal affiliation of the Indian child and the child's parents or Indian custodian;
Page 34, Line 11(h) A specific and detailed account of the circumstances
Page 34, Line 12that led the individual or agency responsible for the emergency removal of the Indian child to take that action;
Page 34, Line 13(i) If the Indian child is believed to reside or be domiciled
Page 34, Line 14on a reservation where the tribe exercises exclusive jurisdiction
Page 34, Line 15over child custody matters, a statement of efforts made to
Page 34, Line 16contact the tribe and transfer the Indian child to the tribe's jurisdiction; and
Page 34, Line 17(j) A statement of the efforts that have been taken to
Page 34, Line 18assist the Indian child's parents or Indian custodian so that the
Page 34, Line 19Indian child may be safely returned to the custody of the parents or Indian custodian.
Page 35, Line 1(4) An emergency removal regarding an Indian child must
Page 35, Line 2not be continued for more than thirty days, unless the court
Page 35, Line 3determines that restoring the Indian child to the parent or
Page 35, Line 4Indian custodian would subject the Indian child to imminent physical harm or danger, and:
Page 35, Line 5(a) The court has approved a motion to transfer the case
Page 35, Line 6to a tribal court but has not been able to transfer the proceeding to the jurisdiction of the appropriate Indian tribe; or
Page 35, Line 7(b) Despite diligent efforts, the court has been unable to
Page 35, Line 8hold a hearing based on the criteria set forth in section
Page 35, Line 919-1.2-123. In such a case, the court shall schedule the hearing
Page 35, Line 10within seven days after the determination made pursuant to this subsection (4).
Page 35, Line 1119-1.2-111. Active efforts - when required - characteristics.
Page 35, Line 12(1) If there is reason to know that a child who is the subject of
Page 35, Line 13a child custody proceeding is an Indian child, active efforts are
Page 35, Line 14required and the court shall make an initial determination
Page 35, Line 15whether active efforts have been made to prevent removal of
Page 35, Line 16the Indian child from the family. If the Indian child has been
Page 35, Line 17removed from the family, the court shall determine whether active efforts have been made to reunite the family.
Page 35, Line 18(2) Active efforts require a higher standard of conduct than reasonable efforts.
Page 35, Line 19(3) Active efforts must:
Page 35, Line 20(a) Be documented in detail in writing or orally on the
Page 35, Line 21record;
Page 36, Line 1(b) If the Indian child is alleged to be within the
Page 36, Line 2jurisdiction of the court pursuant to section 19-1.2-116, include
Page 36, Line 3actively assisting the Indian child's parent or parents or Indian
Page 36, Line 4custodian through the steps of a case plan and accessing or developing the resources necessary to satisfy the case plan;
Page 36, Line 5(c) Include providing assistance in a manner consistent
Page 36, Line 6with the prevailing social and cultural standards and way of life of the Indian child's tribe;
Page 36, Line 7(d) Be conducted in partnership with the Indian child and
Page 36, Line 8the Indian child's parents, extended family members, Indian custodian, and tribe; and
Page 36, Line 9(e) Be tailored to the facts and circumstances of the case.
Page 36, Line 10(4) Active efforts may include, as applicable, the following:
Page 36, Line 11(a) Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the
Page 36, Line 12circumstances of the Indian child's family, with a focus on reunification as the primary and most desirable goal;
Page 36, Line 13(b) Identifying appropriate services and helping the Indian
Page 36, Line 14child's parents overcome barriers to reunification, including
Page 36, Line 15actively assisting the Indian child's parents with obtaining the identified services;
Page 36, Line 16(c) Identifying, notifying, and inviting representatives of
Page 36, Line 17the Indian child's tribe to participate in providing support and
Page 36, Line 18services to the Indian child's family and in family team meetings,
Page 36, Line 19permanency planning, resolution of placement issues, reviews, or other case-management-related meetings;
Page 36, Line 20(d) Conducting or causing to be conducted a diligent
Page 37, Line 1search for the Indian child's extended family members and
Page 37, Line 2contacting and consulting with the Indian child's extended
Page 37, Line 3family members and adult relatives to provide family structure and support for the Indian child and the Indian child's parents;
Page 37, Line 4(e) Offering and employing culturally appropriate family
Page 37, Line 5preservation strategies and facilitating the use of remedial and rehabilitative services provided by the Indian child's tribe;
Page 37, Line 6(f) Taking steps to keep the Indian child and the Indian child's siblings together, whenever possible;
Page 37, Line 7(g) Supporting regular family time with the Indian child's
Page 37, Line 8parents or Indian custodian in the most natural setting possible,
Page 37, Line 9as well as trial home visits during a period of removal,
Page 37, Line 10consistent with the need to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the Indian child;
Page 37, Line 11(h) Identifying and making appropriate referrals to
Page 37, Line 12community resources, including housing, financial assistance,
Page 37, Line 13employment training, transportation, mental health care,
Page 37, Line 14health care, substance abuse prevention and treatment,
Page 37, Line 15parenting training, transportation, peer support services
Page 37, Line 16necessary to maintain the child in the home or to rehabilitate
Page 37, Line 17the family so that the child can safely return home, and
Page 37, Line 18actively assisting the Indian child's parents or, when
Page 37, Line 19appropriate, the Indian child's family, in utilizing and accessing such resources;
Page 37, Line 20(i) Monitoring progress and participation of the Indian
Page 37, Line 21child's parents, Indian custodian, or extended family members in
Page 37, Line 22the services described in subsections (4)(b), (4)(c), (4)(e), and (4)(h) of this section;
Page 38, Line 1(j) Considering alternative ways to address the needs of
Page 38, Line 2the Indian child's parents, Indian custodian, and, when
Page 38, Line 3appropriate, the Indian child's family if the services described in
Page 38, Line 4this section are unavailable or the optimum services do not exist or are not available;
Page 38, Line 5(k) Providing post-reunification services and monitoring while the Indian child remains in the court's jurisdiction;
Page 38, Line 6(l) Contacting the Indian child's tribe to determine what, if any, tribal resources are available; and
Page 38, Line 7(m) Any other efforts that are appropriate to the Indian child's circumstances.
Page 38, Line 8(5) In a child custody proceeding brought pursuant to
Page 38, Line 9article 3 of this title 19, if the court finds that a county
Page 38, Line 10department did not provide active efforts to make it possible for
Page 38, Line 11the Indian child to safely return home, at a permanency hearing
Page 38, Line 12the court shall not change the permanency plan to something other than to reunite the family.
Page 38, Line 13(6) Unless stipulated by the parties and not objected to by
Page 38, Line 14the Indian child's tribe, in any proceeding brought pursuant to
Page 38, Line 15article 3 of this title 19, if the court finds that a county
Page 38, Line 16department did not provide active efforts to make it possible for
Page 38, Line 17the Indian child to safely return home, the court shall not set
Page 38, Line 18a date for a permanent orders hearing, including, but not
Page 38, Line 19limited to, guardianship, allocation of parental responsibilities,
Page 38, Line 20or termination of parental rights, until the county department
Page 38, Line 21provides active efforts for the number of days that active efforts were not previously provided.
Page 39, Line 119-1.2-112. Right to counsel - appointment of counsel - access
Page 39, Line 2to records. (1) If there is reason to know that a child who is the subject of a child custody proceeding is an Indian child:
Page 39, Line 3(a) The court shall appoint counsel to represent the Indian child in accordance with applicable law; and
Page 39, Line 4(b) The court shall appoint counsel to represent the
Page 39, Line 5Indian child's parent or Indian custodian pursuant to section
Page 39, Line 619-3-202 if the parent or Indian custodian is a respondent in a
Page 39, Line 7dependency and neglect action brought pursuant to article 3 of
Page 39, Line 8this title 19. In any removal, placement, or termination of
Page 39, Line 9parental rights proceeding, outside of a dependency and neglect
Page 39, Line 10proceeding, in which the court determines that an Indian child's
Page 39, Line 11parent or Indian custodian is indigent, the court shall appoint
Page 39, Line 12counsel to the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian through the office of the state court administrator.
Page 39, Line 1319-1.2-113. Right to intervene and appear.
Page 39, Line 14(1) Notwithstanding this article 1.2 to the contrary, a tribe, or
Page 39, Line 15Indian custodian who is not otherwise a party to a child custody
Page 39, Line 16proceeding brought pursuant to this article 1.2, has the right to
Page 39, Line 17intervene at any point in a child custody proceeding and a tribe
Page 39, Line 18may be represented by any authorized individual, regardless of whether the individual is licensed to practice law.
Page 39, Line 19(2) An attorney who is not barred from practicing law in
Page 39, Line 20Colorado may appear in any child custody proceeding involving
Page 39, Line 21an Indian child without associating with local counsel or
Page 39, Line 22without paying a fee to appear pro hac vice if the attorney establishes to the satisfaction of the Colorado state bar that:
Page 40, Line 1(a) The attorney will appear in a court in Colorado for
Page 40, Line 2the limited purpose of participating in a child custody proceeding pursuant to this article 1.2;
Page 40, Line 3(b) The attorney represents an Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe; and
Page 40, Line 4(c) The Indian child's tribe has affirmed the Indian child's membership or eligibility for membership pursuant to tribal law.
Page 40, Line 5(3) Notwithstanding this article 1.2 to the contrary,
Page 40, Line 6pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, an Indian custodian or
Page 40, Line 7tribe may notify the court, in writing or orally on the record,
Page 40, Line 8that the Indian custodian or tribe withdraws as a party to the proceeding.
Page 40, Line 919-1.2-114. Right to examine documents - compliance
Page 40, Line 10regarding an Indian child. (1) If there is reason to know that a
Page 40, Line 11child who is the subject of a child custody proceeding is an
Page 40, Line 12Indian child, each party has the right to timely examine all
Page 40, Line 13reports or other documents as outlined in the applicable rules of discovery unless precluded pursuant to state or federal law.
Page 40, Line 14(2) Regardless of whether a tribe is a party in any child
Page 40, Line 15custody proceeding involving an Indian child, the Indian child's
Page 40, Line 16tribe must have access to all reports or other documents
Page 40, Line 17regarding the Indian child. Any reports or other documents
Page 40, Line 18regarding the Indian child must be provided, upon request, to the tribe free of cost.
Page 40, Line 1919-1.2-115. Qualified expert witnesses. (1) In a child custody
Page 40, Line 20proceeding that requires the testimony of a qualified expert
Page 41, Line 1witness, the petitioning or filing party shall seek a qualified
Page 41, Line 2expert witness from the Indian child's tribe and may, when
Page 41, Line 3appropriate, contact the federal bureau of Indian affairs and
Page 41, Line 4request that the tribe or bureau identify one or more
Page 41, Line 5individuals who meet the criteria described in subsection (3) or
Page 41, Line 6(4) of this section and make a record of that contact either in writing or orally on the record.
Page 41, Line 7(2) At a hearing pursuant to section 19-1.2-123 or
Page 41, Line 819-1.2-125, if the court has found that there is reason to know
Page 41, Line 9that a child is an Indian child, at least one expert witness must be qualified to testify regarding:
Page 41, Line 10(a) Whether the continued custody of the Indian child by
Page 41, Line 11the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child; and
Page 41, Line 12(b) The prevailing social and cultural standards and child-rearing practices of the Indian child's tribe.
Page 41, Line 13(3) For the purposes of this section, a qualified expert
Page 41, Line 14witness is not required to have knowledge of social and
Page 41, Line 15cultural standards of the Indian child's tribe only if such
Page 41, Line 16knowledge is plainly irrelevant to the particular
Page 41, Line 17circumstances at issue in the proceeding. The Indian child's tribe
Page 41, Line 18may designate an individual as being qualified to testify to the
Page 41, Line 19prevailing social and cultural standards of the Indian child's tribe.
Page 41, Line 20(4) If the Indian child's tribe has not identified a qualified
Page 41, Line 21expert witness, the following individuals, in order of priority,
Page 41, Line 22may testify as a qualified expert witness:
Page 42, Line 1(a) A member of the Indian child's tribe or another
Page 42, Line 2individual who is recognized by the tribe as knowledgeable
Page 42, Line 3about tribal customs regarding family organization and child-rearing practices;
Page 42, Line 4(b) An individual who has substantial experience in the
Page 42, Line 5delivery of child and family services to Indians and extensive
Page 42, Line 6knowledge of prevailing social and cultural standards and child-rearing practices in the Indian child's tribe; or
Page 42, Line 7(c) An individual who has substantial experience in the
Page 42, Line 8delivery of child and family services to Indians and extensive
Page 42, Line 9knowledge of prevailing social and cultural standards and
Page 42, Line 10child-rearing practices in Indian tribes with cultural similarities to the Indian child's tribe.
Page 42, Line 11(5) An Indian child's tribe must be provided the
Page 42, Line 12opportunity to question the qualified expert witness in all
Page 42, Line 13hearings involving the Indian child, regardless of whether the
Page 42, Line 14Indian child's tribe has intervened pursuant to section 19-1.2-113.
Page 42, Line 15(6) For the purposes of this section, a petitioning or filing
Page 42, Line 16party or an employee of the petitioning or filing party may not serve as a qualified expert witness.
Page 42, Line 1719-1.2-116. Jurisdiction. (1) Except as otherwise provided
Page 42, Line 18in this section, the court's jurisdiction pursuant to this article
Page 42, Line 191.2 in a case involving an Indian child is concurrent with the Indian child's tribe.
Page 42, Line 20(2) The Indian child's tribe has exclusive jurisdiction in a
Page 42, Line 21case involving an Indian child if:
Page 43, Line 1(a) The Indian child is a ward of a tribal court of the tribe; or
Page 43, Line 2(b) The Indian child resides or is domiciled on the tribe's reservation.
Page 43, Line 3(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, the
Page 43, Line 4court has temporary emergency jurisdiction over an Indian
Page 43, Line 5child who is taken into protective custody pursuant to section 19-1.2-110 or 19-3-201, or part 4 of article 3 of this title 19.
Page 43, Line 619-1.2-117. Determination of domicile and residence - tribal
Page 43, Line 7court jurisdiction. (1) In a child custody proceeding involving an
Page 43, Line 8Indian child, the court shall determine and issue an order
Page 43, Line 9regarding the Indian child's domicile or residence and whether the Indian child is under a tribal court's jurisdiction.
Page 43, Line 10(2) The petitioning or filing party shall coordinate with
Page 43, Line 11the Indian child's tribe as necessary to assist the court in
Page 43, Line 12making a determination pursuant to this section. If it is unclear
Page 43, Line 13which tribe is the Indian child's tribe, the petitioning or filing
Page 43, Line 14party shall coordinate with each tribe with which there is
Page 43, Line 15reason to know that the Indian child may be a member or eligible for membership to assist the court in making the determination.
Page 43, Line 1619-1.2-118. Motion to transfer to tribal court - objection.
Page 43, Line 17(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section,
Page 43, Line 18the court shall transfer a child custody proceeding brought
Page 43, Line 19pursuant to this article 1.2 that involves an Indian child if, at
Page 43, Line 20any time during the proceeding, the Indian child's parent, Indian
Page 43, Line 21custodian, or tribe petitions the court to transfer the
Page 43, Line 22proceeding to the tribal court, unless good cause is shown to deny the transfer.
Page 44, Line 1(2) Upon receipt of a transfer motion, the court shall
Page 44, Line 2contact the Indian child's tribe and request a timely response regarding whether the tribe intends to decline the transfer.
Page 44, Line 3(3) (a) If a party objects in writing to the transfer motion,
Page 44, Line 4the court shall set a hearing on the objections to the motion. In
Page 44, Line 5determining whether there is good cause to deny transfer of
Page 44, Line 6jurisdiction to a tribal court, the court shall engage in a
Page 44, Line 7fact-specific inquiry, determined on a case-by-case basis as set forth in subsection (4) of this section.
Page 44, Line 8(b) At the hearing, the objecting party has the burden of
Page 44, Line 9proof of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that good cause exists to deny the transfer.
Page 44, Line 10(c) If the Indian child's tribe contests the assertion that
Page 44, Line 11good cause exists to deny the transfer, the court shall give the tribe's argument substantial weight.
Page 44, Line 12(d) When making a determination whether good cause exists to deny the transfer motion, the court must not consider:
Page 44, Line 13(I) Whether the proceeding is at an advanced stage;
Page 44, Line 14(II) Whether there has been a prior proceeding involving the Indian child in which a transfer motion was not filed;
Page 44, Line 15(III) Whether the transfer could affect the placement of the Indian child;
Page 44, Line 16(IV) The Indian child's cultural connections with the tribe or the tribe's reservation;
Page 44, Line 17(V) The socioeconomic conditions of the Indian child's
Page 44, Line 18tribe or any negative perception of the tribe's or the federal bureau of Indian affairs's social services or judicial systems; or
Page 45, Line 1(VI) Whether the transfer serves the best interests of the Indian child.
Page 45, Line 2(4) Absent extraordinary circumstances, good cause to
Page 45, Line 3deny transfer to a tribal court must be based on one or both of the following factors:
Page 45, Line 4(a) The Indian child's tribe does not have a tribal court or
Page 45, Line 5any other administrative body that is vested with authority
Page 45, Line 6over child custody proceedings to which the case can be
Page 45, Line 7transferred, and no other tribal court has been designated by the Indian child's tribe to hear child custody proceedings; or
Page 45, Line 8(b) The evidence necessary to decide the case could not be
Page 45, Line 9adequately presented in the tribal court without undue
Page 45, Line 10hardship to the parties or the witnesses, and the tribal court is
Page 45, Line 11unable to mitigate the hardship by any means permitted in the
Page 45, Line 12tribal court's rules. Without evidence of undue hardship, travel distance alone is not a basis for denying a transfer motion.
Page 45, Line 13(5) (a) The court shall deny the transfer motion if:
Page 45, Line 14(I) The tribe declines the transfer in writing or orally on the record;
Page 45, Line 15(II) One of the Indian child's parents objects to the transfer; or
Page 45, Line 16(III) After a hearing, the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that good cause exists to deny the transfer.
Page 45, Line 17(b) Notwithstanding subsection (5)(a)(II) of this section,
Page 45, Line 18the objection of the Indian child's parent does not preclude the
Page 45, Line 19transfer if:
Page 46, Line 1(I) The objecting parent dies or the objecting parent's parental rights are terminated and have not been restored; and
Page 46, Line 2(II) The Indian child's remaining parent, Indian custodian,
Page 46, Line 3or tribe files a new transfer motion subsequent to the death or termination of parental rights of the objecting parent.
Page 46, Line 4(6) If the court denies a transfer motion pursuant to this
Page 46, Line 5section, the court shall document the basis for the denial in a written order.
Page 46, Line 619-1.2-119. Requirements if transfer to tribal court granted.
Page 46, Line 7(1) Upon granting a motion to transfer pursuant to section 19-1.2-118, the court shall expeditiously:
Page 46, Line 8(a) Notify the tribal court of the pending dismissal of the child custody proceeding;
Page 46, Line 9(b) Transfer all information regarding the proceeding, including pleadings and court records, to the tribal court; and
Page 46, Line 10(c) If the Indian child is alleged to be within the
Page 46, Line 11jurisdiction of the court pursuant to section 19-1.2-116, direct the petitioning or filing party to:
Page 46, Line 12(I) Coordinate with the tribal court and the Indian child's
Page 46, Line 13tribe to ensure that the transfer of the proceeding and the
Page 46, Line 14transfer of custody of the Indian child is accomplished with
Page 46, Line 15minimal disruption of services to the Indian child and the Indian child's family; and
Page 46, Line 16(II) Expeditiously provide at no cost to the appropriate tribal agency:
Page 46, Line 17(A) All records and original documents in the petitioning
Page 46, Line 18or filing party's possession that are related to the Indian child,
Page 47, Line 1including a birth certificate, social security card, certificate of Indian birth, and other similar documents;
Page 47, Line 2(B) Documentation related to the Indian child's eligibility for state and federal assistance; and
Page 47, Line 3(C) The entire case record for the Indian child that the petitioning or filing party possesses.
Page 47, Line 4(2) The court shall dismiss the proceeding with prejudice
Page 47, Line 5upon confirmation from the tribal court that the tribal court received the required transferred information.
Page 47, Line 619-1.2-120. Placement preferences - cultural compact -
Page 47, Line 7confidentiality. (1) If the parental rights of an Indian child's
Page 47, Line 8parents have not been terminated and the Indian child is in need
Page 47, Line 9of placement or continuation in substitute care, the Indian child must be placed in the least restrictive setting that:
Page 47, Line 10(a) Most closely approximates a family, taking into consideration sibling attachment;
Page 47, Line 11(b) Allows the Indian child's special needs, if any, to be met;
Page 47, Line 12(c) Subject to subsection (1)(d)(II)(C) of this section, is in
Page 47, Line 13reasonable proximity to the Indian child's home, extended family, or siblings; and
Page 47, Line 14(d) (I) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section,
Page 47, Line 15is in accordance with the order of preference established by the Indian child's tribe; or
Page 47, Line 16(II) If the Indian child's tribe has not established
Page 47, Line 17placement preferences, is in accordance with the following
Page 47, Line 18order of preference:
(A) The child's noncustodial parent;
Page 48, Line 1(B) A member of the Indian child's extended family;
Page 48, Line 2(C) A foster home licensed, approved, or specified by the Indian child's tribe;
Page 48, Line 3(D) Another member of the Indian child's tribe;
Page 48, Line 4(E) Another Indian family with whom the Indian child has a relationship;
Page 48, Line 5(F) An Indian family from a tribe that is culturally similar or linguistically connected to the Indian child's tribe;
Page 48, Line 6(G) A foster home licensed or approved by a licensing
Page 48, Line 7authority in this state and in which one or more of the licensed or approved foster parents is an Indian; or
Page 48, Line 8(H) An institution for children that has a program
Page 48, Line 9suitable to meet the Indian child's needs and is approved by an Indian tribe or operated by an Indian organization.
Page 48, Line 10(2) If the parental rights of the Indian child's parents
Page 48, Line 11have been terminated or if an Indian child is in need of
Page 48, Line 12guardianship pursuant to part 2 of article 14 of title 15 or
Page 48, Line 13adoptive placement, except as provided for in subsection (3) of this section, the Indian child must be placed:
Page 48, Line 14(a) In accordance with the order of preference established by the Indian child's tribe; or
Page 48, Line 15(b) If the Indian child's tribe has not established
Page 48, Line 16placement preferences, according to the following order of preference:
Page 48, Line 17(I) With a member of the Indian child's extended family;
Page 48, Line 18(II) With other members of the Indian child's tribe;
Page 49, Line 1(III) With a member or citizen of an Indian tribe in which
Page 49, Line 2the Indian child is eligible for membership or citizenship but that is not the Indian child's tribe;
Page 49, Line 3(IV) With another Indian family with whom the Indian child has a relationship;
Page 49, Line 4(V) With an Indian family from a tribe that is culturally
Page 49, Line 5similar or linguistically connected to the Indian child's tribe; or
Page 49, Line 6(VI) With another Indian family.
Page 49, Line 7(3) (a) A party may file a motion with the court requesting
Page 49, Line 8authority to place the Indian child contrary to the placement
Page 49, Line 9preferences set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section. The
Page 49, Line 10motion must detail the reasons the party asserts that good
Page 49, Line 11cause exists for placement contrary to the placement preferences set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
Page 49, Line 12(b) Upon the filing of an objection to a motion filed
Page 49, Line 13pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section, the court shall set the time for a hearing on the objections.
Page 49, Line 14(c) If the court determines that the moving party has
Page 49, Line 15established its burden by clear and convincing evidence that
Page 49, Line 16there is good cause to depart from the placement preferences
Page 49, Line 17set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the court may authorize an alternative placement.
Page 49, Line 18(d) The court's determination pursuant to subsection (3)(c) of this section:
Page 49, Line 19(I) Must be in writing and based on one or more of the
Page 49, Line 20following factors:
Page 50, Line 1(A) The preferences of the Indian child, if the Indian child
Page 50, Line 2is of sufficient age and capacity to understand the decision that is being made;
Page 50, Line 3(B) The presence of a sibling attachment that cannot be
Page 50, Line 4maintained through a placement consistent with the placement preferences set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section;
Page 50, Line 5(C) Any extraordinary physical, mental, or emotional
Page 50, Line 6needs of the Indian child that require specialized treatment
Page 50, Line 7services if, despite active efforts, those services are unavailable
Page 50, Line 8in the community where families who meet the placement
Page 50, Line 9preferences set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section reside;
Page 50, Line 10(D) A finding based on the testimony of the child
Page 50, Line 11placement agency or the petitioning or filing party that a
Page 50, Line 12diligent search has been conducted and that a placement
Page 50, Line 13meeting the placement preferences set forth in subsection (1) or
Page 50, Line 14(2) of this section is unavailable, as determined by the prevailing
Page 50, Line 15social and cultural standards of the Indian community in which
Page 50, Line 16the Indian child's parent or extended family resides or maintains social and cultural ties; or
Page 50, Line 17(E) The placement request of the Indian child's parent,
Page 50, Line 18after the Indian child's parent has reviewed the placement
Page 50, Line 19options, if any comply with the placement preferences set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section;
Page 50, Line 20(II) Must allow the court to retain discretion to find that
Page 50, Line 21good cause does not exist even if one or more of the factors in
Page 50, Line 22this subsection (3) are present;
Page 51, Line 1(III) Must, in applying the placement preferences set forth
Page 51, Line 2in subsection (1) or (2) of this section, give weight to the Indian
Page 51, Line 3child's parent's request for anonymity if the placement is an
Page 51, Line 4adoptive placement to which the Indian child's parent has consented; and
Page 51, Line 5(IV) May not be based:
Page 51, Line 6(A) On the socioeconomic conditions of the Indian child's tribe;
Page 51, Line 7(B) On any perception of the tribe's or federal bureau of Indian affairs' social services or judicial systems;
Page 51, Line 8(C) On the distance between a placement that meets the
Page 51, Line 9placement preferences set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this
Page 51, Line 10section that is located on or near a reservation and the Indian
Page 51, Line 11child's parent, except if the placement would undermine reunification efforts; or
Page 51, Line 12(D) Solely on the ordinary bonding or attachment
Page 51, Line 13between the Indian child and a non-preferred placement arising from time spent in the non-preferred placement.
Page 51, Line 14(4) The court, on the court's own motion or the motion of
Page 51, Line 15any party, shall make a determination pursuant to this section
Page 51, Line 16regarding the Indian child's placement if the court or the
Page 51, Line 17moving party has reason to know that the Indian child was
Page 51, Line 18placed contrary to the placement preferences set forth in
Page 51, Line 19subsection (1) or (2) of this section without good cause. A motion
Page 51, Line 20made pursuant to this subsection (4) may be made in writing or orally on the record.
Page 51, Line 21(5) To ensure that this article 1.2 is fully implemented and
Page 52, Line 1that all Indian children have the opportunity to maintain
Page 52, Line 2strong connections to their culture, if the household into which
Page 52, Line 3an Indian child is placed for adoption or guardianship does not
Page 52, Line 4include a parent who is a member of the Indian child's tribe, the
Page 52, Line 5court shall require the parties to the adoption to enter a
Page 52, Line 6cultural compact at the discretion of the Indian child's tribe, or
Page 52, Line 7otherwise develop a plan that documents the parties' agreement
Page 52, Line 8regarding how the Indian child will continue to actively
Page 52, Line 9participate in the Indian child's cultural learning and activities,
Page 52, Line 10and engagement with family members. Each cultural compact or
Page 52, Line 11plan must be specific to the Indian child; must consider the
Page 52, Line 12Indian child's mental, physical, and emotional needs, including
Page 52, Line 13the Indian child's preferences; and must take into account the
Page 52, Line 14Indian child's understanding as the Indian child grows and
Page 52, Line 15matures. The cultural compact or plan is considered a
Page 52, Line 16post-adoption contact agreement in accordance with section
Page 52, Line 1719-5-208 (4.5) and enforceable in accordance with section 19-5-217.
Page 52, Line 18(6) A confidentiality requirement, if any, does not relieve
Page 52, Line 19the court or any petitioners in an adoption proceeding from the
Page 52, Line 20duty to comply with the placement preferences set forth in this section if the child is an Indian child.
Page 52, Line 2119-1.2-121. Order to vacate judgment. (1) A petition to
Page 52, Line 22vacate an order or a judgment involving an Indian child
Page 52, Line 23regarding jurisdiction in accordance with sections 19-1.2-116
Page 52, Line 24and 19-1.2-118, placement, guardianship, or the termination of
Page 52, Line 25parental rights may be filed in a pending child custody
Page 53, Line 1proceeding involving the Indian child or, if a child custody
Page 53, Line 2proceeding is not pending, in any state or local court of competent jurisdiction by:
Page 53, Line 3(a) The Indian child who was alleged to be within the court's jurisdiction pursuant to section 19-1.2-116;
Page 53, Line 4(b) The Indian child's parent or Indian custodian from
Page 53, Line 5whose custody the Indian child was removed or whose parental rights were terminated; or
Page 53, Line 6(c) The Indian child's tribe.
Page 53, Line 7(2) (a) The court shall vacate an order or judgment
Page 53, Line 8involving an Indian child regarding jurisdiction in accordance
Page 53, Line 9with sections 19-1.2-116 and 19-1.2-118, placement, guardianship,
Page 53, Line 10or the termination of parental rights if the court determines that any provision of this article 1.2 has been violated.
Page 53, Line 11(b) If the vacated order or judgment resulted in the
Page 53, Line 12removal or placement of the Indian child, the court shall order
Page 53, Line 13the child returned to the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 53, Line 14custodian as soon as possible, and the court's order must include
Page 53, Line 15a transition plan for the physical custody of the child, unless
Page 53, Line 16the court determines that a hearing is to be held within
Page 53, Line 17twenty-eight days in accordance with 25 U.S.C. sec. 1912 (e) and
Page 53, Line 18section 19-1.2-123 to determine if the return of the Indian child
Page 53, Line 19is appropriate. The transition plan may include protective custody pursuant to section 19-3-405.
Page 53, Line 20(c) If the vacated order or judgment terminated parental
Page 53, Line 21rights, the court shall order the previously terminated
Page 53, Line 22parental rights to be restored.
Page 54, Line 1(d) If the state or any other party affirmatively asks the
Page 54, Line 2court to reconsider the issues under the vacated order or
Page 54, Line 3judgment, the court's findings or determinations must be
Page 54, Line 4readjudicated by the court that is reconsidering whether there
Page 54, Line 5has been abuse or neglect sufficient to allow the Indian child to be removed pursuant to this article 1.2.
Page 54, Line 619-1.2-122. Determination of whether an Indian child has been
Page 54, Line 7improperly removed or retained - remedy. (1) The court, on the
Page 54, Line 8court's own motion or on the motion of any party, shall
Page 54, Line 9expeditiously determine whether an Indian child who is asserted
Page 54, Line 10to be within the court's jurisdiction pursuant to section
Page 54, Line 1119-1.2-116 has been improperly removed or improperly retained
Page 54, Line 12following a visit or temporary relinquishment of custody. A
Page 54, Line 13motion pursuant to this section may be made orally or in writing.
Page 54, Line 14(2) If the court finds that the Indian child has been
Page 54, Line 15improperly removed or improperly retained, the court shall
Page 54, Line 16order the petitioning or filing party to immediately return the
Page 54, Line 17Indian child to the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian and
Page 54, Line 18dismiss the proceeding, unless the court determines that doing
Page 54, Line 19so would subject the Indian child to substantial and immediate
Page 54, Line 20danger or a threat of substantial and immediate danger. In such
Page 54, Line 21a case, the court shall hold a hearing within twenty-eight days
Page 54, Line 22in accordance with 25 U.S.C. sec. 1912 (e) and section 19-1.2-123 to determine if the return of the Indian child is appropriate.
Page 54, Line 2319-1.2-123. Foster care placement. (1) For a court to order
Page 54, Line 24foster care placement in a child custody proceeding involving an Indian child:
Page 55, Line 1(a) The court must find by clear and convincing evidence,
Page 55, Line 2including the testimony of one or more qualified expert
Page 55, Line 3witnesses, that the Indian child's continued custody by the
Page 55, Line 4Indian child's parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child; and
Page 55, Line 5(b) The court must determine that the evidence required
Page 55, Line 6by subsection (1)(a) of this section shows a causal relationship
Page 55, Line 7between the particular conditions in the Indian child's domicile
Page 55, Line 8or residence and the likelihood that the continued custody of
Page 55, Line 9the Indian child in that domicile or residence will result in
Page 55, Line 10serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child who is the subject of the child custody proceeding.
Page 55, Line 11(2) Without a causal relationship shown pursuant to
Page 55, Line 12subsection (1)(b) of this section, if the evidence shows only the
Page 55, Line 13existence of community or family poverty, isolation, single
Page 55, Line 14parenthood, custodian age, crowded or inadequate housing,
Page 55, Line 15substance abuse, or nonconforming social behavior, such
Page 55, Line 16evidence does not by itself constitute the clear and convincing
Page 55, Line 17evidence required for a finding that continued custody is likely
Page 55, Line 18to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child.
Page 55, Line 1919-1.2-124. Tribal customary adoption. (1) If the Indian
Page 55, Line 20child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe provides notice to the
Page 55, Line 21court and the parties in writing or orally on the record that
Page 55, Line 22the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe is pursuing
Page 55, Line 23a tribal customary adoption as a resolution to the child
Page 56, Line 1custody proceeding, the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian,
Page 56, Line 2or tribe must secure a motion to transfer the case to tribal
Page 56, Line 3court pursuant to section 19-1.2-118 within sixty-three days
Page 56, Line 4after receiving the notice. If the Indian child's parent, Indian
Page 56, Line 5custodian, or tribe does not secure a motion to transfer the
Page 56, Line 6case within sixty-three days, the court may consider other
Page 56, Line 7permanency or placement options pursuant to this article 1.2 as
Page 56, Line 8a resolution to the child custody proceeding. Failure to secure
Page 56, Line 9the motion to transfer the case within sixty-three days does not
Page 56, Line 10prevent the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe from
Page 56, Line 11filing a motion to transfer the case to a tribal court at a later date.
Page 56, Line 12(2) Upon the request of the Indian child's tribe or another
Page 56, Line 13party to the case in which the tribal customary adoption was
Page 56, Line 14issued, the court shall certify a tribal customary adoption
Page 56, Line 15order and treat the order in accordance with the full faith and credit provisions set forth in section 19-1.2-131.
Page 56, Line 1619-1.2-125. Termination of parental rights - tribal customary
Page 56, Line 17adoption exemption. (1) Upon the filing of a motion to terminate
Page 56, Line 18the parent-child legal relationship, the court shall make a
Page 56, Line 19finding, subject to the procedures described in section 19-1.2-108
Page 56, Line 20(3), regarding whether there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child.
Page 56, Line 21(2) (a) If there is a finding that there is reason to know
Page 56, Line 22that the child is an Indian child, in addition to the statutory
Page 56, Line 23criteria outlined in section 19-3-604 and part 1 of article 5 of
Page 56, Line 24this title 19, the court shall make findings, supported by
Page 57, Line 1evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, including the testimony of
Page 57, Line 2one or more qualified expert witnesses, that the parents'
Page 57, Line 3continued custody of the Indian child is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.
Page 57, Line 4(b) The court may not enter an order terminating parental rights of an Indian child unless:
Page 57, Line 5(I) The court has offered the parties the opportunity to participate in mediation;
Page 57, Line 6(II) Active efforts to reunite the Indian family did not
Page 57, Line 7eliminate the necessity for termination based on serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child; and
Page 57, Line 8(III) The court has considered and eliminated any less
Page 57, Line 9drastic alternatives to termination, including, but not limited
Page 57, Line 10to, allocation of parental responsibilities, guardianship, and tribal customary adoption.
Page 57, Line 11(3) The evidence required pursuant to this section must
Page 57, Line 12show a causal relationship between the particular conditions in
Page 57, Line 13the Indian child's home and the likelihood that continued
Page 57, Line 14custody of the Indian child by the Indian child's parent or
Page 57, Line 15parents will result in serious emotional or physical damage to
Page 57, Line 16the particular Indian child who is the subject of the child
Page 57, Line 17custody proceeding. Evidence that shows the existence of
Page 57, Line 18community or family poverty, isolation, single parenthood,
Page 57, Line 19custodian age, crowded or inadequate housing, substance abuse,
Page 57, Line 20or nonconforming social behavior does not, by itself, establish a causal relationship as required by this section.
Page 57, Line 21(4) A petitioning or filing party filing a motion to
Page 58, Line 1terminate parental rights of an Indian child shall document in
Page 58, Line 2the motion what efforts have been made to explore tribal customary adoption pursuant to section 19-1.2-124.
Page 58, Line 3(5) If requested by the tribe, the termination order must
Page 58, Line 4include a provision that the petitioning or filing party maintain
Page 58, Line 5connections between the Indian child and the Indian child's tribe.
Page 58, Line 6(6) The rights of one parent may be terminated without affecting the rights of the other parent.
Page 58, Line 719-1.2-126. Voluntary consent - foster care placement,
Page 58, Line 8relinquishment of parental rights, or adoption - requirements - when
Page 58, Line 9not valid. (1) When a parent or Indian custodian voluntarily
Page 58, Line 10consents to a foster care, pre-adoptive or adoptive placement,
Page 58, Line 11or to terminate parental rights, the consent is not valid unless
Page 58, Line 12executed in writing and recorded before a judge of a court of
Page 58, Line 13competent jurisdiction and accompanied by the judge's
Page 58, Line 14certificate that the terms and consequences of the consent
Page 58, Line 15were fully explained in detail and fully understood by the
Page 58, Line 16parent or Indian custodian. The court shall also certify that
Page 58, Line 17either the parent or Indian custodian fully understood the
Page 58, Line 18explanation in English or that it was interpreted into a
Page 58, Line 19language that the parent or Indian custodian understood. Any
Page 58, Line 20consent given prior to, or within ten days after, birth of the Indian child is not valid.
Page 58, Line 21(2) A parent or Indian custodian may withdraw consent to
Page 58, Line 22a foster care placement pursuant to state law at any time, and,
Page 58, Line 23upon such withdrawal, the Indian child must be returned to the parent or Indian custodian.
Page 59, Line 1(3) In a voluntary proceeding for termination of parental
Page 59, Line 2rights to, or adoptive placement of, an Indian child, the consent
Page 59, Line 3of the Indian child's parent may be withdrawn for any reason at
Page 59, Line 4any time prior to the entry of a final decree of termination of
Page 59, Line 5parental rights or adoption, as the case may be, and the Indian child must be returned to the Indian child's parent.
Page 59, Line 619-1.2-127. Tribal-state agreements - purpose - requirements.
Page 59, Line 7(1) (a) The state department shall continue to make good faith
Page 59, Line 8efforts to follow and revise tribal-state child welfare
Page 59, Line 9agreements with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute
Page 59, Line 10Mountain Ute Indian Tribe. The state department shall revise a
Page 59, Line 11tribal-state child welfare agreement upon the request of, and in conjunction with, the requesting Indian tribe.
Page 59, Line 12(b) The state department may also enter into a
Page 59, Line 13tribal-state child welfare agreement with any Indian tribe
Page 59, Line 14outside of Colorado that has a significant number of member children or membership-eligible children residing in this state.
Page 59, Line 15(2) The purposes of a tribal-state child welfare
Page 59, Line 16agreement are to promote the continued existence and integrity
Page 59, Line 17of the Indian tribe as a political entity and to protect the vital
Page 59, Line 18interests of Indian children in securing and maintaining
Page 59, Line 19political, cultural, and social relationships with their tribe and family.
Page 59, Line 20(3) A tribal-state child welfare agreement may include
Page 59, Line 21agreements regarding default jurisdiction over cases in which
Page 59, Line 22the state courts and tribal courts have concurrent
Page 60, Line 1jurisdiction; the transfer of cases between state courts and
Page 60, Line 2tribal courts; the assessment, removal, placement, custody, and
Page 60, Line 3adoption of Indian children; and any other child welfare services provided to Indian children.
Page 60, Line 4(4) A tribal-state child welfare agreement must:
Page 60, Line 5(a) Provide for the cooperative delivery of child welfare
Page 60, Line 6services to Indian children in Colorado, including the
Page 60, Line 7utilization, to the extent available, of services provided by the
Page 60, Line 8Indian tribe or an organization whose mission is to serve the
Page 60, Line 9American Indian or Alaska Native population to implement the terms of the tribal-state child welfare agreement; and
Page 60, Line 10(b) If services provided by the Indian tribe or an
Page 60, Line 11organization whose mission is to serve the American Indian or
Page 60, Line 12Alaska Native population are unavailable, provide for the state
Page 60, Line 13department's use of community services and resources developed
Page 60, Line 14specifically for Indian families and that have the demonstrated
Page 60, Line 15capacity to provide culturally relevant and effective services to Indian children.
Page 60, Line 1619-1.2-128. Collateral attack. (1) After the entry of a final
Page 60, Line 17decree of adoption of an Indian child, the Indian child's parent
Page 60, Line 18may withdraw consent upon the grounds that consent was
Page 60, Line 19obtained through fraud or duress and may petition the court to vacate the decree.
Page 60, Line 20(2) Upon a finding that consent was obtained through
Page 60, Line 21fraud or duress, the court shall vacate the decree of adoption
Page 60, Line 22and order the return of the Indian child to the Indian child's
Page 60, Line 23parent.
Page 61, Line 1(3) An adoption that has been effective for at least two
Page 61, Line 2years shall not be invalidated pursuant to this section unless otherwise permitted by state law.
Page 61, Line 319-1.2-129. Report. (1) The state department shall compile
Page 61, Line 4any information that relates to the implementation of this
Page 61, Line 5article 1.2 and is required pursuant to 45 CFR 1355.44 concerning the adoption and foster care analysis and reporting system.
Page 61, Line 6(2) (a) On or before July 1, 2027, and every odd-numbered
Page 61, Line 7year thereafter, the judicial department shall provide the
Page 61, Line 8following information for the prior two-year period to the state department:
Page 61, Line 9(I) The number of Indian children involved in dependency and neglect proceedings;
Page 61, Line 10(II) The dates out-of-home placement were ordered for Indian children in protective custody;
Page 61, Line 11(III) The ratio of Indian children to non-Indian children in protective custody; and
Page 61, Line 12(IV) The number of cases that were transferred to a tribal court pursuant to sections 19-1.2-118 and 19-1.2-119.
Page 61, Line 13(b) On or before September 15, 2027, and every
Page 61, Line 14odd-numbered year thereafter, the state department shall
Page 61, Line 15compile the following information for the prior two-year period:
Page 61, Line 16(I) Which tribes the Indian children who were in
Page 61, Line 17protective custody were members of or eligible for membership in;
(II) The number of Indian children in foster care;
Page 62, Line 1(III) The number of Indian children placed in adoptive homes from the child welfare system; and
Page 62, Line 2(IV) The number of available placements and common
Page 62, Line 3barriers to recruitment and retention of appropriate placements.
Page 62, Line 4(c) No later than December 1, 2027, and every
Page 62, Line 5even-numbered year thereafter, the state department shall
Page 62, Line 6report the findings of the information compiled pursuant to
Page 62, Line 7subsections(2)(a) and (2)(b)of this section to the house of
Page 62, Line 8representatives health and human services committee, the house
Page 62, Line 9of representatives judiciary committee, the senate health and
Page 62, Line 10human services committee, and the senate judiciary committee, or their successor committees.
Page 62, Line 11(2) Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136
Page 62, Line 12(11)(a)(I), the report required pursuant to this section continues indefinitely.
Page 62, Line 1319-1.2-130. Conflict of laws. (1) If any provision of this
Page 62, Line 14section 1.2 is found to provide a lower standard of protection to
Page 62, Line 15the rights of an Indian child or the Indian child's parent, Indian
Page 62, Line 16custodian, or tribe than the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978":
Page 62, Line 17(a) The higher standard of protection in the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" controls; and
Page 62, Line 18(b) The conflicting provision does not render any
Page 62, Line 19remaining provisions of this article 1.2 inoperative that provide
Page 62, Line 20a higher standard of protection than the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978".
Page 63, Line 119-1.2-131. Full faith and credit.The court shall give full
Page 63, Line 2faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial
Page 63, Line 3proceedings of an Indian tribe applicable to an Indian child
Page 63, Line 4custody proceeding, including, but not limited to, tribal
Page 63, Line 5customary adoptions, to the same extent that the state gives
Page 63, Line 6full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial
Page 63, Line 7proceedings of any other governmental entity. By granting full
Page 63, Line 8faith and credit pursuant to this section, a tribal court order is enforceable pursuant to sections 13-53-102 and 13-53-103.
Page 63, Line 919-1.2-132. Rules.The department of human services and
Page 63, Line 10the judicial department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this article 1.2.
Page 63, Line 11SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-3-702, amend (4)(e) introductory portion; and add (4)(e)(III.5) as follows:
Page 63, Line 1219-3-702. Permanency hearing. (4) (e) If the court finds that
Page 63, Line 13there is not a substantial probability that the child or youth will be
Page 63, Line 14returned to a parent or legal guardian within six months and the child or
Page 63, Line 15youth appears to be adoptable and meets the criteria for adoption in
Page 63, Line 16section 19-5-203, the court may order
the a county department of humanPage 63, Line 17or social services to show cause why it should not file a motion to
Page 63, Line 18terminate the parent-child legal relationship pursuant to part 6 of this
Page 63, Line 19article 3. Cause may include, but is not limited to, any of the following conditions:
Page 63, Line 20(III.5) The court, in a proceeding involving an Indian child,
Page 63, Line 21has determined that active efforts, as defined in section
Page 63, Line 2219-1.2-103 and described in section 19-1.2-111, have not been made;
Page 64, Line 1SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-1-103, amend (83), (84), and (85) as follows:
Page 64, Line 219-1-103. Definitions. As used in this title 19 or in the specified portion of this title 19, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 64, Line 3(83) "Indian child"
means an unmarried person who is youngerPage 64, Line 4
than eighteen years of age and who is either: has the same meaning as set forth in section 19-1.2-103.Page 64, Line 5
(a) A member of an Indian tribe; orPage 64, Line 6
(b) Eligible for membership in an Indian tribe and who is the biological child of a member of an Indian tribe.Page 64, Line 7(84) "Indian child's tribe"
means: has the meaning determined pursuant to section 19-1.2-108.Page 64, Line 8
(a) The Indian tribe in which an Indian child is a member or eligible for membership; orPage 64, Line 9
(b) In the case of an Indian child who is a member of or eligiblePage 64, Line 10
for membership in more than one tribe, the Indian tribe with which the Indian child has the most significant contacts.Page 64, Line 11(85) "Indian tribe"
means an Indian tribe, band, nation, or otherPage 64, Line 12
organized group or community of Indians recognized as eligible for thePage 64, Line 13
federal governmental services provided to Indians because of their status as Indians has the same meaning as set forth in section 19-1.2-103.Page 64, Line 14SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-2.5-502, amend (5)(a) introductory portion and (5)(b) as follows:
Page 64, Line 1519-2.5-502. Petition initiation - petition form and content.
Page 64, Line 16(5) (a) Pursuant to
section 19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, inPage 64, Line 17
those delinquency proceedings to which the federal "Indian Child WelfarePage 65, Line 1Act of 1978", 25 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq.,
as amended, applies, including,Page 65, Line 2but not limited to, status offenses such as the illegal possession or
Page 65, Line 3consumption of ethyl alcohol or marijuana by an underage
personPage 65, Line 4individual or illegal possession of marijuana paraphernalia by an
Page 65, Line 5underage person, as described in section 18-13-122, and possession of
Page 65, Line 6handguns by juveniles, as described in section 18-12-108.5, the petition must:
Page 65, Line 7(b) If notices were sent to the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 65, Line 8custodian
of the child and to the Indian child's tribe pursuant tosectionPage 65, Line 9
19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, the postal receipts must bePage 65, Line 10attached to the petition and filed with the court or filed within fourteen
Page 65, Line 11days after the filing of the petition, as specified in
section 19-1-126 (1)(c) article 1.2 of this title 19.Page 65, Line 12SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-3-502, amend (2.7)(a) introductory portion and (2.7)(b) as follows:
Page 65, Line 1319-3-502. Petition form and content - limitations on claims in
Page 65, Line 14dependency or neglect actions. (2.7) (a) Pursuant to
the provisions of section 19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, the petition must:Page 65, Line 15(b) If notices were sent to the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 65, Line 16custodian
of the child and to the Indian child's tribe pursuant tosectionPage 65, Line 17
19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, the postal receiptsshall must bePage 65, Line 18attached to the petition and filed with the court or filed within
tenPage 65, Line 19fourteen days after the filing of the petition, as specified in
section 19-1-126 (1)(c) article 1.2 of this title 19.Page 65, Line 20SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-3-602, amend (1.5)(a) introductory portion and (1.5)(b) as follows:
Page 65, Line 2119-3-602. Motion for termination - separate hearing - right to
Page 66, Line 1counsel - no jury trial. (1.5) (a) Pursuant to
the provisions of section 19-1-126 section 19-1.2-125, the motion for termination must:Page 66, Line 2(b) If notices were sent to the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 66, Line 3custodian
of the child and to the Indian child's tribe, pursuant tosectionPage 66, Line 4
19-1-126 section 19-1.2-108, the postal receipts, or copies thereof,shallPage 66, Line 5must be attached to the motion for termination and filed with the court
Page 66, Line 6or filed within
ten fourteen days after the filing of the motion for termination, as specified insection 19-1-126 (1)(c) section 19-1.2-125.Page 66, Line 7SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-5-103, amend (1.5)(a) introductory portion and (1.5)(b) as follows:
Page 66, Line 819-5-103. Relinquishment procedure - petition - hearings.
Page 66, Line 9(1.5) (a) Pursuant to
the provisions of section 19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, the petition for relinquishmentshall must:Page 66, Line 10(b) If notices were sent to the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 66, Line 11custodian
of the child and to the Indian child's tribe pursuant tosectionPage 66, Line 12
19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, the postal receiptsshall must bePage 66, Line 13attached to the petition and filed with the court or filed within fourteen
Page 66, Line 14days after the filing of the petition, as specified in
section 19-1-126 (1)(c) article 1.2 of this title 19.Page 66, Line 15SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-5-105.5, amend (7.3) as follows:
Page 66, Line 1619-5-105.5. Termination of parent-child legal relationship
Page 66, Line 17upon a finding that the child was conceived as a result of sexual
Page 66, Line 18assault - legislative declaration - definitions. (7.3) If the child is an
Page 66, Line 19Indian child, the court shall ensure compliance with the federal "Indian
Page 66, Line 20Child Welfare Act of 1978", 25 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., and the
Page 66, Line 21provisions of
section 19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19.Page 67, Line 1SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-5-105.7, amend (11)(b) as follows:
Page 67, Line 219-5-105.7. Termination of parent-child legal relationship in
Page 67, Line 3a case of an allegation that a child was conceived as a result of sexual
Page 67, Line 4assault but in which no conviction occurred - legislative declaration
Page 67, Line 5- definitions. (11) (b) If the child is an Indian child, the court shall
Page 67, Line 6ensure compliance with the federal "Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978",
Page 67, Line 725 U.S.C. sec. 1901 et seq., and
the provisions of section 19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19.Page 67, Line 8SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 19-5-208, amend (2.5)(a) introductory portion and (2.5)(b) as follows:
Page 67, Line 919-5-208. Petition for adoption - open adoption - post-adoption
Page 67, Line 10contact agreement. (2.5) (a) Pursuant to
the provisions of section 19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, the petition for adoption must:Page 67, Line 11(b) If notices were sent to the Indian child's parent or Indian
Page 67, Line 12custodian
of the child and to the Indian child's tribe pursuant tosectionPage 67, Line 13
19-1-126 article 1.2 of this title 19, the postal receipts, or copiesPage 67, Line 14thereof,
shall must be attached to the petition for adoption and filed withPage 67, Line 15the court or filed within
ten fourteen days after the filing of the petitionPage 67, Line 16for adoption, as specified in
section 19-1-126 (1)(c) article 1.2 of this title 19.Page 67, Line 17SECTION 12. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
Page 67, Line 18determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
Page 67, Line 19preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
Page 67, Line 20the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.