Our Work
Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman (CPO) is designed to ensure Colorado’s complex child protection system consistently provides high quality services to children and families in all 64 Colorado counties. We are independent from the state and county agencies that work on behalf of children and families. We exist to listen to the public about their experience with and concerns about child protection, research and investigate those concerns, and determine the best way to resolve each concern. Our work also allows us to collaborate with lawmakers, professionals and other stakeholders to advance legislation and policies that will have a lasting, positive impact on our children and families.
Since our inception in 2010, the Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman (CPO) has received more than 3,900 calls – up to seven calls per day – from Colorado citizens seeking answers and help. Most Coloradans who call us dial dozens of numbers before calling the CPO, which can be frustrating and confusing.
Our Impact
How We Work for Colorado
Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman was created to ensure the state’s complex child protection system consistently provides high quality services to every child, family and community in Colorado.
Listen
We listen to people about their experience with and concerns about child protection.
Investigate
We research and investigate concerns reported by any Coloradan about service delivery within the child protection system.
Resolve
We determine the best way to resolve concerns – that might mean bridging communication barriers or resolving conflicts based on misunderstanding.
Identify Trends
We identify trends where the community’s needs have changed and the system hasn’t had the funding, resources or practices to keep up with it. As a result, we make public recommendations for system improvement.
Lasting Change
We convene lawmakers, professionals and other stakeholders to advance legislation and policies that have a lasting, positive impact on children and families.
How We Work for Colorado
Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman was created to ensure the state’s complex child protection system consistently provides high quality services to every child, family and community in Colorado.
Listen
We listen to people about their experience with and concerns about child protection.
Investigate
We research and investigate concerns reported by any Coloradan about service delivery within the child protection system.
Resolve
We determine the best way to resolve concerns – that might mean bridging communication barriers or resolving conflicts based on misunderstanding.
Identify Trends
We identify trends where the community’s needs have changed and the system hasn’t had the funding, resources or practices to keep up with it. As a result, we make public recommendations for system improvement.
Lasting Change
We convene lawmakers, professionals and other stakeholders to advance legislation and policies that have a lasting, positive impact on children and families.
Special Initiatives
To improve the safety of and promote better outcomes for children and families receiving child protection services in Colorado, the CPO shares recommendations and information through its Special Initiatives – projects that leverage comprehensive research, and in certain instances stakeholder engagement processes, to identify and address topics relevant to improving the state’s child protection system.
Responding to Citizen Concerns
If, after reviewing a citizen’s concern, the CPO determines an agency and/or provider may have violated any rules or laws, the CPO will issue a letter to the agency and/or provider and its supervising entity. This practice is designed to call attention to the concern so the best course of action for rectifying the issue may be collectively determined by the agency and/or provider and its supervising entity. Redacted copies of these letters may be available for release. If you are looking for a CPO letter of concern, please contact Deputy Ombudsman Jordan Steffen by email.