Colorado Law Reference

Plain-English explanations of the Colorado Revised Statutes provisions most relevant to dependency proceedings — what each statute means, and what it does not mean.

C.R.S. § 19-3-505

The dependency court process and what comes next

Colorado Revised Statutes

What the statute says

Sets the sequence of a dependency case — typically protective custody / shelter hearing, then adjudication (whether the allegations are proven), then disposition (the remedy and services), then review and permanency hearings on a set schedule. Each stage has its own deadlines and purpose.

What it means in plain English

A court date is one step in a multi-stage process. Knowing which stage you are in tells you what the hearing decides and what may come next.

What it does NOT mean

It does not mean one hearing resolves everything. Skipping or under-preparing for an early stage can narrow your options later — but early stages are also checkpoints you can use to challenge the case.

Questions to ask

•Which stage is this hearing — shelter, adjudication, disposition, or review?
•What does this hearing decide, and what does it not decide?
•What is the next likely hearing and its deadline?

Documents to preserve

•Every notice of hearing
•Orders from each hearing
•The court's scheduling order
•Your own stage-by-stage timeline

Common mistakes

✕Treating every hearing as the same
✕Missing a review or permanency hearing
✕Not learning what the next stage decides before it happens

Related statutes

C.R.S. § 19-3-505 — Hearings
C.R.S. § 19-3-402 — Shelter hearing
C.R.S. § 19-3-505 — Notice to parents
C.R.S. § 19-3-701 — Family preservation services

Confirm current text at the official Colorado source. Educational summary, not legal advice.

Myth Debunker

“I can secretly record conversations without checking the law.”

Colorado is a one-party consent state for recording, meaning one party to the conversation may generally consent. But rules differ by situation and across states — confirm the applicable law before recording, and never record where you have no right.

“If CPS comes to my house, I automatically have to let them in.”

A request to enter is not a court order. Unless they have a court order or exigent circumstances, entry is generally voluntary. Ask whether they are acting under an order.

“If I cooperate with everything, they can't take my child.”

Cooperation is generally wise, but it does not guarantee any outcome. The decision to remove is governed by law and the court, not by your level of cooperation alone.

“If they say it's voluntary, I have to do it.”

Voluntary means you have a choice. You may decline or ask for time to consult an attorney before agreeing.

“Anything I tell CPS can't be used against me.”

Statements to a caseworker can become part of the record. Tell the truth, but understand it may be used in proceedings.

“A caseworker's statement is automatically a court order.”

A caseworker does not become a judge because they are investigating you. A request is not an order.

“If CPS says it's an emergency, it automatically makes it a legal emergency.”

Emergency authority has specific legal requirements and court review. The label 'emergency' does not by itself satisfy the law.

“I should fight with the caseworker to prove I'm innocent.”

Do not argue or threaten. Present your evidence through the court and your attorney. Calm documentation is stronger than confrontation.

“I should delete embarrassing texts or messages.”

Do not destroy, delete, alter, or hide evidence. That can seriously harm your case. Preserve everything.

“I should coach my children before they talk to CPS.”

Do not coach your children. Tell the truth; don't guess; don't tell your child what to say. Coaching can be detected and used against you.

Colorado legislature (official statutes)