Several ombudsman offices provide independent oversight of various aspects of the Colorado Department of Human Services' work. Learn more about each of them below and on their websites.
Child Protection Ombudsman
The role of the Office of Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman is to ensure the state’s child protection system consistently provides high quality services to every child, family and community in Colorado. The ombudsman is independent from the state and county agencies that work on behalf of children and families. The ombudsman listens to the public about their experience with and concerns about child protection, and researches and investigates those concerns.
Behavioral Health Ombudsman
The role of the Behavioral Health Ombudsman Office of Colorado includes interacting with consumers and health care providers with concerns or complaints to help them resolve behavioral health care access and coverage issues; providing information to help consumers obtain behavioral health care; assisting consumers and providers in reporting concerns and filing complaints; and developing points of contact for referrals to other state and federal agencies.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
In Colorado, long-term care ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted living residences and similar licensed adult long-term care facilities. They work to resolve individual resident issues and to bring about changes at the local, state and national level to improve long-term care. Trained ombudsmen, paid and volunteer, regularly visit long-term care facilities, monitor conditions and care, and provide a voice for those unable to speak for themselves.