Committee advances legislation to restore youth hearing rights in dependency proceedings after Colorado Supreme Court ruling

Representatives Gilchrist and Bradfield proposed a targeted fix after the Colorado Supreme Court’s RMP decision narrowed who may object when the department moves to dismiss dependency and neglect petitions. Sponsors said the change restores a judicial check so the court can hear a child’s evidence before dismissal and prevent premature returns to unsafe settings.

The hearing was among the session’s most emotional. Several panelists with lived experience described repeated reports that were closed or investigations that did not resolve safety concerns; the Office of the Child’s Representative and multiple advocacy organizations urged passage as a due‑process restoration. County attorneys, the Office of Respondent Parents Council and several parent advocates opposed the bill or sought amendments, warning it could expand prosecutorial power for children, increase litigation costs and interfere with reunification. ORPC proposed amendments to preserve appellate rights while limiting new initiation powers and to narrow the provision questioned by counties.

Sponsors offered clarifying amendments on the hearing process and standard of proof; the committee adopted two amendments and voted to send the bill to Appropriations as amended (9–4). Sponsors said they will continue to engage counties and the agencies over fiscal and implementation details.

What’s next: Bill goes to Appropriations for final fiscal review; sponsors indicated they will keep working with counties to refine language.