Fostering in Boulder County
A mother and her two children smiling happily.

Fostering in Boulder County

The children come first. That truth forms the basis of Boulder County’s philosophy around foster care. Foster families give children a safe and supportive place to live when they can’t stay with their families. These placements are temporary, and the goal is almost always to reunite children with their parents when it’s safe to do so.

In 2025, Boulder County Human Services shifted how we manage fostering. We are now partnering with outside organizations called Child Placement Agencies (CPAs) to place and support foster children. This change allows us to focus more on keeping families together and supporting them before out-of-home care is needed. Kinship care — where relatives care for children — remains a key focus of our work.

Boulder County is now partnering with a small number of trusted Child Placement Agencies (CPAs) to help place and support children in foster care. These CPAs are local nonprofits (or are pursuing nonprofit status) that share our values and have deep experience in Colorado’s child welfare system.

These agencies are responsible for recruiting, certifying, training, and supporting foster families. Each agency meets strict state standards and has skilled staff who care deeply about every child they serve. While CPAs now manage day-to-day support for foster families, Boulder County still retains full legal custody of every child in care. Our caseworkers remain responsible for all decisions related to each child’s safety, stability, and long-term well-being.

If you’re interested in fostering, you’ll work directly with one of our CPA partners. They will guide you through the process, provide training, and be your main contact for support. View the full list of County and Child Placement Agencies in Colorado. If you’re interested in fostering a Boulder County family and need guidance, email Jessica Steenson at jsteenson@bouldercounty.gov.

Foster parents come from all walks of life. What matters most is that you can provide a stable, safe, and caring home.

If you’re thinking about becoming a foster parent:

  • Reach out to a CPA partner (see the “Child Placement Agency (CPA) Partners” tab for more information).
  • Attend an info session and complete required training.
  • Complete a home study and background check.
  • Work with your CPA to get matched with a child.

If you have questions about foster care in Boulder County or need assistance working with a CPA, contact Suzanne Daniels by calling 303-441-1533 or emailing sdaniels@bouldercounty.gov.

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Human Services

Phone: 303-441-1000
TTY: 1-800-659-3656
Fax: 303-441-1523
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P.O. Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306

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