Colorado § 26-5.7-110 - Host homes for youth - report - rules - definitions.

§ 26-5.7-110. Host homes for youth - report - rules - definitions.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Host home" means a private home that volunteers to host youth in need of temporary placement that is associated with a host home program with the purpose of providing a safe, temporary, and welcoming space to allow the youth time to repair the youth's relationship with the youth's parent or legal guardian or make decisions regarding other long-term housing options with the support of a host home operator.

(b) "Host home program" or "program" means a program that provides support to a host home and meets the requirements of subsection (3) of this section.

(b.5) "Organization" means a child placement agency, a county or district department of human or social services, or a homeless youth shelter.

(c) "Youth" means an individual who is under twenty-three years of age.

(2) The state department shall oversee the operations of the host home programs.

(3) To operate a host home program, an organization must:

(a) Be a tax exempt organization for youth not in the care of the county department;

(b) Recruit and screen individuals interested in operating a host home in the program, including performing criminal history record checks pursuant to subsection (5) of this section on the interested individuals and all individuals residing in the home who are eighteen years of age or older, and perform a physical inspection of the home;

(c) Provide case management services to youth in the program;

(d) Provide a minimum of sixty days of aftercare, as defined in 45 CFR 1351.1, for a youth who leaves a host home;

(e) Provide mandatory reporter and confidentiality training to host home operators; and

(f) Maintain accurate and up-to-date records documenting the following for each host home operating under the program:

(I) The address of the host home;

(II) The name of the individual operating the host home and all other individuals residing in the home;

(III) A copy of the determination by the department of human services as to whether the individual meets criteria or does not meet criteria for certification to operate a host home in response to the fingerprint-based criminal history record check conducted pursuant to subsection (5) of this section for the individual operating the host home and all other individuals residing in the home who are eighteen years of age or older;

(IV) A copy of the host home's completed physical home inspection;

(V) A copy of the host home's property or rental insurance and automobile insurance; and

(VI) Any other information required by the state department.

(4) To operate a host home, an individual must:

(a) Maintain property or rental insurance and automobile insurance covering the property and vehicles used in providing host home services;

(b) Undergo a criminal history record check in compliance with subsection (5) of this section; and

(c) Comply with any other requirements set by the state department.

(5) (a) Before an individual may operate a host home pursuant to this section, the individual must undergo fingerprinting performed by a local law enforcement agency or third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation. The individual must pay the costs associated with the fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

(b) After taking the individual's fingerprints, the local law enforcement agency or third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation shall submit the complete set of the individual's fingerprints to the Colorado bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

(c) If a third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation conducts the fingerprinting, the individual's fingerprints may be captured electronically using Colorado bureau of investigation-approved livescan equipment. The third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation must not keep the individual's information collected for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint-based criminal history record check for more than thirty days, unless otherwise requested by the individual.

(d) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall use the individual's fingerprints to conduct a criminal history record check using the Colorado bureau of investigation's records. The Colorado bureau of investigation must send the individual's fingerprints to the federal bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a federal fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The Colorado bureau of investigation, individual, state department, and entity conducting the fingerprinting must comply with the federal bureau of investigation's requirements to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.

(e) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall return the results of its fingerprint-based criminal history record check to the state department and the state department is authorized to receive the results of the federal bureau of investigation's fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The state department must use the information from the fingerprint-based criminal history record check to investigate and determine whether an individual is qualified to operate a host home pursuant to this section.

(f) If the results of an individual's fingerprint-based criminal history record check performed pursuant to this subsection (5) reveal a record of arrests without a disposition, the organization operating a host home program must require the individual to submit to a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3.

(6) (a) If a youth is under eleven years of age and seeks admission to a host home, the host home must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian of the youth authorizing the youth's temporary residence in the host home. If written consent is received, the youth may reside in a host home for up to twenty-one days.

(b) Youth eleven years of age or older but under eighteen years of age admitted to a host home may reside in the host home for up to twenty-one days pursuant to section 26-5.7-105.

(c) If a youth under fifteen years of age is admitted to a host home, the program director or host home operator must notify the county department within seventy-two hours after the youth's admission.

(d) For youth eighteen years of age or older but under twenty-three years of age, the youth may remain in a host home beyond the twenty-one-day period if consent is provided to the host home by the youth. Documentation verifying the youth's consent must be updated every six months thereafter.

(e) If a youth eleven years of age or older but under twenty-three years of age has resided in a host home for twenty-one days, the program director or host home operator must refer the youth to the county department for additional services.

(f) Host home operators shall comply with the notification requirements specified in section 26-5.7-106.

(7) On or before December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter, if a program receives local, state, or federal funding, the program must enter the following information into the homeless management information system and share the information with the office of homeless youth services:

(a) The number of youth served by the program; and

(b) Upon leaving a host home, whether each participating youth returned to live with the youth's parent or legal guardian, ran away, reached twenty-three years of age, or became a dependent of the state.

(8) A licensed foster care home approved as a host home shall not accept a youth for placement pursuant to this section if there are any foster children currently placed in that home.

(9) Nothing in this section applies to host homes providing residential services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

(10) The state department shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement this section.

Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (SB 24-191), ch. 221, p. 1381, § 1, effective August 7. L. 2025: (1)(b.5) added and (3)(f)(III) amended, (SB 25-146), ch. 342, p. 1858, § 12, effective June 2.

26-5.9 ARTICLE 5.9

Homeless Youth Services Act

26-5.9-101 to 26-5.9-105. (Repealed)

Source: L. 2011: Entire article repealed, (HB 11-1230), ch. 170, p. 590, §§ 6, 7, effective July 1.

Editor's note: (1) This article was added in 2004 and was not amended prior to its repeal in 2011. For the text of this article prior to 2011, consult the 2010 Colorado Revised Statutes and the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front of this volume. Some sections of this article were relocated to § 24-32-723. Former C.R.S. section numbers are shown in the editor's note following that section.

(2) Sections 26-5.9-103 (2) and 26-5.9-105 (3) as amended by House Bill 11-1079 were relocated to § 24-32-723 (2) and (4)(c), respectively, and harmonized with House Bill 11-1230.

ARTICLE 6

Child Care Centers

PART 1

CHILD CARE LICENSING

26-6-101 to

26-6-122. (Repealed)

PART 2

CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCIES

26-6-201 to

26-6-206. (Repealed)

PART 3

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS COMMISSION

26-6-301 to

26-6-307. (Repealed)

PART 4

DEDICATED FAMILY HOMES PILOT PROGRAM

26-6-401 to

26-6-406. (Repealed)

PART 5

TASK FORCE ON FOSTER CARE AND PERMANENCE

26-6-501 to

26-6-506. (Repealed)

PART 6

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE QUALITY CHILD CARE STANDARDS PILOT PROGRAM

26-6-601 to

26-6-606. (Repealed)

PART 7

TEMPORARY CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

26-6-701. Short title.

26-6-702. Definitions.

26-6-703. Temporary care assistance program permitted.

26-6-704. Temporary care assistance program - limitations on duration of delegation - approved temporary caregiver.

26-6-705. Approval of temporary caregiver - background check - training.

26-6-706. Rules.

26-6-707. Application of part.

PART 8

EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANT PROGRAMS

26-6-801 to

26-6-807. (Repealed)

PART 9

FOSTER CARE, KINSHIP FOSTER CARE, RESIDENTIAL, DAY TREATMENT, AND CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

26-6-901. Short title.

26-6-902. Legislative declaration.

26-6-903. Definitions - repeal.

26-6-904. Applicability of part.

26-6-904.5. Kinship foster care homes - certification and revocation of certification - financial assistance and supports - training - interagency resource data - report - rules - repeal.

26-6-905. Licenses - out-of-state notices and consent - demonstration pilot program - report - rules - definition - repeal.

26-6-906. Compliance with local government zoning regulations - notice to local governments - provisional licensure.

26-6-907. Fees - when original applications, reapplications, and renewals for licensure are required - creation of child welfare licensing cash fund.

26-6-908. Application forms - criminal sanctions for perjury.

26-6-909. Standards for facilities and agencies - appeals review panel - rules - repeal.

26-6-909.5. Standards for applied behavior analysis clinics - rules.

26-6-910. Certification and annual recertification of foster care homes and kinship foster care homes by county departments and licensed child placement agencies - background and reference check requirements - rules - definition.

26-6-911. Foster care - kinship care - rules applying generally - rule-making.

26-6-912. Investigations and inspections - local authority - reports - rules.

26-6-913. Revocation of certification of foster care home or kinship foster care home - emergency procedures - due process.

26-6-914. Denial of license - suspension - revocation - probation - refusal to renew license - fines - definitions.

26-6-915. Notice of negative licensing action - filing of complaints - rules.

26-6-916. Institutes.

26-6-917. Acceptance of federal grants.

26-6-918. Injunctive proceedings.

26-6-919. Penalty.

26-6-920. Periodic review of licensing and certification rules and procedures.

26-6-921. Civil penalties - fines - child welfare cash fund - created.

26-6-922. Child placement agencies - information sharing - investigations by state department - recovery of money - rule-making.

26-6-923. Residential child care provider training academy - clinical quality and oversight - report - rules - definition.

26-6-924. Residential child care facility - notice - policy - definitions.

PART 1

CHILD CARE LICENSING

26-6-101 to 26-6-122. (Repealed)

Source: L. 2022: Entire part repealed, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 870, § 135, effective July 1.

Editor's note: (1) This part 1 was numbered as article 8 of chapter 119, C.R.S. 1963. For amendments to this part 1 prior to its repeal in 2022, consult the 2021 Colorado Revised Statutes and the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front of this volume. This part 1 was relocated to part 3 of article 5 of title 26.5 and section 26.5-6-103. Former C.R.S. section numbers are shown in editor's notes following those sections that were relocated. For a detailed comparison of this part 1, see the comparative tables located in the back of the index.

(2) Sections 26-6-102 (26)(a), (26.5), and (41) in SB 22-064 were harmonized with HB 22-1295 and relocated to § 26.5-5-303 (17)(a), (17.5), and (30), respectively, effective July 1, 2022. For the law in effect from March 17, 2022, until the effective date of the relocation, see L. 2022, ch. 22, p. 144.

(3) Sections 26-6-103.3 (2) and 26-6-103.5 (2)(f)(V) in HB 22-1270 were harmonized with HB 22-1295 and relocated to §§ 26.5-5-306 (2) and 26.5-5-307 (2)(f)(IV), respectively, effective July 1, 2022. For the law in effect from April 21, 2022, until the effective date of the relocation, see L. 2022, ch. 114, p. 530.

(4) Sections 26-6-103.7 (2.5), (3)(b), (3)(f), (3)(h), (3)(i), (3.4), (3.5), and (6) in SB 22-064 were harmonized with HB 22-1295 and relocated to § 26.5-5-308 (2.5), (3)(b), (3)(f), (3)(h), (3)(i), (3.4), (3.5), and (6), respectively, effective July 1, 2022. For the law in effect from March 17, 2022, until the effective date of the relocation, see L. 2022, ch. 22, p. 145.

(5) Sections 26-6-104 (7.5)(b) and 26-6-106.3 (5)(e) and (6)(a) were amended in HB 22-1270. Those amendments were superseded by the repeal of this part 1 in HB 22-1295, effective July 1, 2022. For the law in effect from April 21, 2022, to July 1, 2022, see L. 2022, ch. 114, p. 531.

(6) Section 26-6-106.5 (2)(b) was amended in HB 22-1038 (see L. 2022, ch. 92, p. 445). Those amendments were superseded by the repeal of this part 1 in HB 22-1295, effective July 1, 2022.

(7) Section 26-6-107 (1)(a)(I.5)(C) in HB 22-1270 was harmonized with HB 22-1295 and relocated to § 26.5-5-316 (1)(a)(II)(C), effective July 1, 2022. For the law in effect from April 21, 2022, until the effective date of the relocation, see L. 2022, ch. 114, p. 531.

(8) Section 26-6-107 (1)(a.7)(I)(E) was amended in HB 22-1270. Those amendments were superseded by the repeal of this part 1 in HB 22-1295, effective July 1, 2022. For the law in effect from April 21, 2022, to July 1, 2022, see L. 2022, ch. 114, p. 531.

(9) Sections 26-6-120 (1.5) and (5) in HB 22-1270 were harmonized with HB 22-1295 and relocated to § 26.5-5-326 (2) and (6), respectively, effective July 1, 2022. For the law in effect from April 21, 2022, until the effective date of the relocation, see L. 2022, ch. 114, p. 532.

(10) Section 26-6-123 in HB 22-1358 (see L. 2022, ch. 382, p. 2736) was harmonized with HB 22-1295 and relocated to § 26.5-5-329.

PART 2

CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCIES

26-6-201 to 26-6-206. (Repealed)

Editor's note: (1) Section 26-6-206 provided for the repeal of this part 2, effective July 1, 1998. (See L. 96, p. 806.)

(2) This part 2 was added in 1996 and was not amended prior to its repeal in 1998. For the text of this part 2 prior to 1998, consult the 1997 Colorado Revised Statutes.

PART 3

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS COMMISSION

26-6-301 to 26-6-307. (Repealed)

Editor's note: (1) Section 26-6-307 provided for the repeal of this part 3, effective July 1, 2007. (See L. 2004, p. 1771.)

(2) This part 3 was added in 2000. For amendments to this part 3 prior to its repeal in 2007, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.

PART 4

DEDICATED FAMILY HOMES PILOT PROGRAM

26-6-401 to 26-6-406. (Repealed)

Editor's note: (1) Section 26-4-406 (2) provided for the repeal of this part 4, effective July 1, 2008. (See L. 2004, p. 542.)

(2) This part 4 was added in 2004. For amendments to this part 4 prior to its repeal in 2008, consult the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.

PART 5

TASK FORCE ON FOSTER CARE AND PERMANENCE

26-6-501 to 26-6-506. (Repealed)

Editor's note: (1) Section 26-4-506 provided for the repeal of this part 5, effective July 1, 2008. (See L. 2007, p. 292.)

(2) This part 5 was added in 2007 and was not amended prior to its repeal in 2008. For the text of this part 5 prior to 2008, consult the 2007 Colorado Revised Statutes.

PART 6

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE QUALITY CHILD CARE STANDARDS PILOT PROGRAM

26-6-601 to 26-6-606. (Repealed)

Editor's note: (1) This part 6 was added in 2011 and was not amended prior to its repeal in 2015. For the text of this part 6 prior to 2015, consult the 2014 Colorado Revised Statutes and the Colorado statutory research explanatory note beginning on page vii in the front of this volume.

(2) Section 26-6-606 provided for the repeal of this part 6, effective June 30, 2015. (See L. 2011, p. 71.)

PART 7

TEMPORARY CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM