DENVER (Nov. 4, 2024) — In honor of National Adoption Month, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is spotlighting four incredible families who adopted seven Colorado children and youth from foster or kinship care. The families were nominated by counties and child placement agencies throughout the state and chosen by CDHS. The hope is to inspire people statewide to consider opening their hearts and homes to one (or more) of the 369 Colorado children and youth waiting to be adopted.
Meet the families
Aaron and Victoria, Colorado Springs
Three years ago, Victoria was working as a technology teacher at a school in Colorado Springs when she learned that three of her students, a sibling group, needed a permanent home. She and her husband Aaron decided to become kinship foster care placements for the siblings, eventually leading to adoption in 2021. The siblings, now 14, 12 and 10, quickly improved academically and socially. As a family, they embrace the cultures in the household by going to events that celebrate African-American and Mexican experiences.
Charlie and Max, Aurora
Charlie and Max first met Jaden and Tristen, biological brothers who are now their sons, five years ago when Jaden was seven and Tristen was five. Now 12 and 10, both boys are thriving and growing up together. They’ve also made great strides socially and academically. Max and Charlie have experienced many firsts with their sons, like trips to the zoo, museums and amusement parks. The family enjoys hiking and taking road trips together with their two dogs.
Jessica and Marty, Fort Morgan
Jessica and Marty met their son, Amias, when he was enrolled at Marty's sister-in-law’s day care and needed a safe place to go. Amias, now 6, was adopted in 2022, making them a family of five, which includes Jessica and Marty’s biological children, Piper, 15, and Raylan, 12. Amias is thriving in kindergarten and loves to play outside and help take care of the family's animals, which include chickens, goats and a horse. The family continues to provide temporary foster care for other children in their community.
Vera, Colorado Springs
Vera is a registered nurse and has been a foster parent for medically fragile children since 2021. Vera adopted her daughter, 7-year-old Evelyn, in July of 2024. Evelyn came to Vera in 2021 and is wheelchair-bound and requires 24-hour nursing care. Vera takes all the children in her care on outings to the park, the movies, the trampoline park and family gatherings. Vera makes sure the children have access to supports and services so they can experience the best childhood possible.
“Adoption creates supportive, loving families for children, youth and adults,” said CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes. “According to the National Survey of Adoptive Parents, 37 percent of adoptions in the United States are through the foster care system. Our primary goal remains reunification. When that is not possible, adoption supports the long-term goal of creating stability and hope.”
Every Colorado community needs foster parents and kinship parents, especially families who are willing to care for children and youth with complex behavioral and/or mental health needs, as well as sibling groups and children and youth whose first language is not English. Anyone older than 21 who can provide a safe, loving, stable family environment can apply to become a foster parent. There are no limitations based on marital status, income, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
“By sharing these stories with our communities in Colorado, these families inspire others to support children and youth in foster care,” said Debbie Oldenettel, director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families at CDHS.
Learn more about how to adopt from foster care on the CO4Kids website or CDHS’s adoption page.