How does kinship adoption work for grandparents?
Colorado has kinship adoption laws that apply to grandparents. If a grandchild has been living in the grandparent’s home for one year or longer, and if the parents are deceased, have had their rights terminated, or the parents or legal guardians have consented, the grandparent(s) may petition to adopt the child. If the parents have not consented but if they have abandoned their parent/child relationship, the grandparents may also petition for adoption. Abandonment is presumed when the parents have had no contact with the child for at least one year or have failed without cause to provide child support for the child for at least one year. Of course, it is possible for one parent to consent and the other parent to abandon the child, and for the grandparents to proceed with adoption in those circumstances, as well. If grandparents are adopting, they will have to complete criminal record checks and related clearances before they are allowed to adopt, but a full home-study by Social Service
