DENVER (May 1, 2025) — In celebration of National Foster Care Month and to encourage more Coloradans to become foster parents, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is honoring five foster families. These families support older youth, as well as those with behavioral or mental health needs.
“When families step up, it means children and youth have a chance to feel safe and supported in a loving home,” said Joe Homlar, director of the Division of Child Welfare for CDHS. “These families don’t just care for kids — they actively help reduce trauma and, whenever possible, help prepare children to reunite with their biological families. That kind of commitment changes lives.”
On average, eight children and youth enter foster care each day in Colorado. Today, there are 3,407 children and youth living with Colorado’s 2,034 certified kinship and foster families. Foster parents help families thrive by providing support for children and youth in foster care while their biological parents take the time they need to learn skills to become the parents their children need. The five families are:
Denise and Eppie Duran from Pueblo
Eppie has spent many years guiding and mentoring young men as a foster parent, boxing coach and corrections officer, from which he is now retired. With support from their biological children and grandchildren, Eppie and Denise work with teen boys and enjoy mentoring and doing activities with them, such as fishing, camping and going to the movies. As strong proponents of reunification, Eppie and Denise prioritize staying in close communication with the teens’ biological family members. Even when the young men no longer need their support, they keep in touch with the Durans and often share updates on how the Durans’ positive impacts made a difference in their lives.
Dee and Rick Lockhart from Hugo
Dee and Rick are the only foster family in their small community. They have 10 biological children (three of whom still live at home), one adopted child and currently have four children in foster care living in their home. With so many children, they lean on their community, a team of clergy, coaches, grandparents, adult children and other extended family members for support. All the children and youth in their home are involved in sports and other after-school activities, where their community team also steps up to help get the kids to their activities, as well as attend events together to cheer on one another. During their time as foster parents, the Lockharts have cared for children and youth of all ages and levels of need, while working with biological parents to help children and youth return home when it is safe to do so.
Braggston Morris from Aurora
Braggston found himself living in a large home with only his dog and decided he wanted to offer a safe and supportive environment for children in foster care. Not long after becoming a foster parent, Braggston welcomed siblings into his home, whom he eventually adopted — brothers Nemo, 9, and August, 4. The boys are very active and enjoy sports. They are passionate about playing inline hockey and rollerblading as a family.
Kristen and Luis Perales from Greeley
Kristen and Luis worked in education before becoming treatment-level foster parents more than a year ago. Luis, who immigrated to the United States at 11 years old, uses his background as a teacher, administrator and soccer coach to be a mentor. With these experiences, he is able to provide a safe and nurturing environment with structure and clear expectations for all the young people in his home. Luis and Kristen also have three biological teens who excel in academics and sports. They’re particularly skilled at working with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges. They also serve as mentors to the youth’s biological and kinship families, and support other foster families.
Cindy and Rod Troyer from Greeley
Cindy became a foster parent more than 28 years ago, in 1997. Between them, Cindy and Rod have 12 adult biological children, four adopted children and 24 grandchildren, so the family stays busy. Cindy has provided a safe and nurturing environment for around 60 kids, many of whom returned to their biological families and many of whom have been welcomed into the Troyers’ big family. They have three biological daughters who are deaf and are fluent in American Sign Language, which supports their efforts when fostering a deaf teen.
“We know that people are curious about foster care and want to know more about what it is really like,” said CDHS Deputy Executive Director of Community Partnerships Minna Castillo. “By sharing these stories, we hope to inspire more Coloradans to support children and youth who need a temporary safe place to live while their parents or caregivers work on building skills to help their children thrive.”
When parents need additional support to provide safety and care for their children, county human/social service agencies work to meet those needs. They focus on keeping families together. In instances where that is not possible, caseworkers first look for kin — adults who have an established, trusted relationship with the child — to step in. When there is no kinship possibility, foster families provide safety, stability and care.
“For children and youth who need a place to stay temporarily, fostering strengthens families and communities, and provides children and youth a safe and loving home while working toward a successful reunification with their families,” said Tres Newport, deputy director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families at CDHS. “Families of diverse backgrounds and situations are always needed as we work with our communities to find homes that support the many needs of our youth.”
Being a foster parent, while challenging, can be extremely rewarding. In Colorado, foster parents must be at least 21+ years old and can be:
- Single, married or in a committed relationship.
- All races and ethnicities.
- Any sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
- Homeowners or renters.
- An experienced parent or a first-time parent.
To learn more about becoming a foster parent, go to CO4kids.org. To meet children and youth currently waiting to be adopted, visit coheartgallery.org.
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Media contact:
Julie Popp, Communications Manager
720-788-1307
julie.popp@state.co.us