We believe children grow best in families, and adults do best in caring communities. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and honesty.
If you have a concern or complaint about a Family and Children Services employee, there is a clear way to share it. This page explains how to do that and how we will respond. We are here to listen, support you, and improve our services.
Concerned About a Child or Youth’s Safety?
If you are worried about a child or youth’s safety, call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437). If a child is in danger, call 911.
Child Welfare Complaints
Here’s what to do if you have a concern about a child welfare case.
Step 1: Contact Boulder County Child Welfare Services
Start by contacting Boulder County Human Services about your concern. Your complaint will first go to the employee’s supervisor. The supervisor may reach out by phone or in person. They may also set up a meeting with you and the employee to resolve the issue.
If that does not resolve your concern, it will go to the program manager. If the program manager cannot resolve it, it will go to the division director. When the division director reviews your complaint, it becomes a formal grievance. They will review the grievance and try to resolve it quickly.
Still not satisfied? You can take your complaint to the state. Contact the Colorado Department of Human Services or the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman (see Step 2).
Step 2: Contact the State for Help
If your complaint is not resolved locally, you can contact the state.
Submit a Complaint to the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS):
You can also contact the Office of Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman, an independent state agency. It reviews complaints about child protection services. It also suggests ways to improve the system and helps families through the process. Learn more on the Colorado Protection Ombudsman website.
Appeal a Finding
You can appeal a confirmed finding of child or adult mistreatment. To do so, contact the Child and Adult Mistreatment Dispute Review Section at 303-866-4546.”
Complaints About the Courts or Legal System
Send concerns about court decisions or court-appointed professionals to the right agency:
