Issue Brief

Timothy Montoya Task Force to Prevent Youth from Running from Out-of-Home Placement

Next Meeting: May 3, 2023 (8:00-11:00 am)

Housed in the Office of Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman, the Timothy Montoya Task Force to Prevent Children from Running Away from Out-of-Home Placement was created by the Colorado General Assembly with the passage of HB22-1375 and formed in September 2022.

Named after 12-year-old Timothy Montoya who was hit and killed by a car shortly after running away from his out-of-home placement in June 2020, the task force will study runaway behaviors to develop a consistent, prompt and effective response for youth who run away from foster care and residential child care facilities.

Meeting 13 times over two years, the task force will hold virtual meetings open to the public on the first Wednesday of every other month from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. (MT), via Zoom.

The Zoom link, call-in information and meeting materials for each meeting will be posted no later than 24 hours prior to its start. For more information, please visit the CPO Events Calendar.

If you would like to receive email updates regarding the Timothy Montoya Task Force, please click here to send your request to CPO Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy Jennifer Superka.

Task Force Meetings (Open to Public)

Meeting #1 – Sept. 28, 2022
Materials | Minutes | Recap | Recording

Meeting #2 – Nov. 2, 2022
Materials | Minutes | Recap | Recording

Meeting #3 – Jan. 4, 2023
Materials | Recap | Recording

Meeting #4 – March 1, 2023
Materials | Recap | Recording

Meeting #5 – May 3, 2023 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #6 – July 12, 2023 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #7 – Sept. 6, 2023 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #8 – Nov. 1, 2023 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #9 – Jan. 3, 2024 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #10 – March 6, 2024 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #11 – May 1, 2024 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #12 – July 3, 2024 (8:00-11:00 am)
Meeting #13 – Sept. 4, 2024 (8:00-11:00 am)


Task Force Members

Kelly AbbottColorado Department of Public Safety
Norma Aguilar-DaveSavio House
Michelle BradleyDouglas County Department of Human Services
Ashley ChaseColorado Office of the Child’s Representative
Anna ColeColorado Human Services Directors Association
Jenna ColemanSpecialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY)
Brian CotterDenver Police Department
Dennis DesparroisCDHS – Division of Child Welfare
Jenelle GoodrichKinship Provider
Dave HayesColorado Association of Chiefs of Police
Chelsea HillFoster Parent with Lived Experience
Kevin LashParent with Lived Experience
David E. LeeColorado Division of Youth Services
Chase LeonardCañon City Police Department
Dr. Renée MarquardtColorado Department of Human Services
Beth McNalleyDenver Department of Public Safety 
Brandon Miller Southern Peaks Regional Treatment Center 
Becky Miller UpdikeColorado Association of Family & Children’s Agencies 
Elizabeth MontoyaParent with Lived Experience
Lynette OvermeyerMesa County Department of Human Services
Stephanie VillafuerteColorado Child Protection Ombudsman
Jana ZinserFoster Parent with Lived Experience