Colorado Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resources

The Scale of Grandfamilies in Colorado

Over 36,000 grandparents in Colorado are responsible for raising their grandchildren, according to data from Colorado State University Extension and the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network. Most of these arrangements are informal — no court order, no caseworker, no agency involvement. The grandparent stepped in because a parent could not be there, and now they need to figure out school, doctors, insurance and daily logistics on their own.

The good news is that Colorado has more resources for grandfamilies than most states. The bad news is that the resources are scattered across state agencies, county offices, court websites and nonprofit directories.

Legal Authority for Everyday Decisions

The first thing most grandparents need is paperwork that lets them enroll a grandchild in school and take them to the doctor. Colorado handles this through:

• JDF 751 (Delegation of Power) — If a parent or legal guardian is available and willing to sign, this notarized form under C.R.S. § 15-14-105 gives you authority over school, medical and daily decisions for up to twelve months. No court filing, no fee.
• School residency under C.R.S. § 22-1-102 — If a statutory residency category applies, the local school must enroll the child without a custody order. Schools cannot demand guardianship papers when residency is established.
• McKinney-Vento protections — A child may qualify for immediate enrollment without usual documents if they lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence because of loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason. A parental crisis alone does not establish eligibility.

Financial Assistance

Grandparents raising grandchildren on a fixed income — Social Security, disability or a modest pension — need to know about these programs:

Colorado Works TANF Child-Only Grant. The means test looks only at the child's income, not yours. Monthly amounts vary by county (roughly $141 per month for one child in Adams County, with increments for additional children). Apply through your county Department of Human Services.

Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and CHP+. Child-only medical coverage, again based on the child's income. Apply through Colorado PEAK, the state's online benefits portal. You can also register as an Authorized Representative through PEAK to manage the child's coverage without needing legal custody.

SB 24-008 kinship stipends. Senate Bill 24-008 expanded support for non-certified kinship caregivers. Monthly reimbursements may be available to non-certified caregivers caring for children involved in child welfare; county human services can explain eligibility and current procedures. Eligible caregivers do not have to be licensed foster parents to receive these payments.

Support Programs

Colorado Kinnected. The state's kinship navigator program, run through CDHS, assigns navigators in participating counties to connect grandfamilies with services — emergency supplies, legal referrals, peer support groups and community resources.

Colorado Legal Services (CLS). Free civil legal help for income-eligible families. CLS attorneys can assist with guardianship petitions, custody filings and enrollment disputes.

Judicial Branch Self-Help Centers. In-person centers across the state where staff provide procedural help with court forms and the filing process.

PEAK Parent Center. If a grandchild has a disability or learning difference, PEAK provides free training and support for navigating IEPs, 504 plans and special education services.

When You May Need Court

A JDF 751 delegation requires a parent or legal guardian who can sign it. If no authorized signer is available or willing, a grandparent may need to pursue:

• Minor Guardianship (JDF 824) under C.R.S. § 15-14-204 — gives permanent legal authority over the child until they turn 18. Requires a court petition, background checks and a filing fee (fee waivers are available).
• Allocation of Parental Responsibilities under C.R.S. § 14-10-123 — a nonparent may file if the child is not in a parent's physical care, or if the nonparent has had physical care for at least 182 days and files within 182 days after that care ends.

One Place to Start

The Colorado School and Medical Consent guide puts the forms, enrollment steps, medical consent rules and resource contacts in one document, organized around the decisions a grandparent actually faces in the first weeks of caring for a grandchild.

See more Colorado guides →