Protecting Children and Youth in Our Community

Anyone in the community can help prevent child abuse and neglect, especially by reporting incidents and information of concern. All referrals are confidential and Colorado Law protects people from liability if they make a report in good faith. Reports may be made anonymously as well.

The El Paso County Department of Human Services works with doctors, hospitals, law enforcement officials, schools, and others to identify maltreatment, abuse and/or neglect.

The Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Child Abuse or Neglect Hotline:

  • 1-844-CO4KIDS
  • 1-844-264‑5437

If it is an emergency, or an urgent situation, please contact law enforcement at 911.

Colorado Child Abuse Neglect Campaign Main Image

You dial the number, we’ll make the call

When you call to report a concern or get help for yourself or someone else, your call is answered by a certified call taker and information is gathered to help a group of professionals assess whether your call or “referral” should be screened in to the child protection system (CPS). Based on the information you provide and information other callers may have provided in the past about the same family, a group of professionals review, evaluate and direct the actions that should be taken to help the family. If your call is screened out, you or the family in need may still be connected with local family support resources.

Anyone may make a report suspected child abuse and neglect. Many professions are mandatory reporters under state statute.

You should call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline whenever you believe that a person who lives with the child or is caring for the child and has caused injury or harm or put the child at risk of physical injury. A few examples include:

  • If you see marks on a child’s body that do not appear to have been caused by an accident.
  • If a child tells you that he or she has been touched inappropriately or harmed by someone.
  • If a child appears to be dressed inappropriately for the weather, appears undernourished or is young and has been left home alone.

More Details on Child Protective Services

Child Protection Intake Services

Department of Human Services staff with Child Protective Intake Services assess and check into all child abuse and/or neglect allegations. Specific protocols are followed for each report. Services are directed toward alleviating danger in order to protect children, and if possible, keep the family intact. A 24-hour child abuse hotline is available for reporting child abuse and/or neglect situations.

Child Protection Ongoing Services

Department of Human Services staff with Child Protective Ongoing Services provide home-based services to families who have allegations of physical abuse, neglect or are at high risk for these factors. These families are assessed, then referred by Child Welfare Intake if they need continued services to protect children and rehabilitate families. Services include: individual, group, or family therapy; parenting classes; domestic violence treatment; drug/alcohol treatment; crisis intervention; and life skills training. When children cannot be maintained or reunited with their parents within a reasonable time, efforts are dedicated to provide alternative living arrangements that are most beneficial to the child which preserve emotional kinship, identity, and continuity.

Chafee Program

The Chafee program provides assistance to help youth currently and formerly in foster care successfully transition to adulthood. More information is available online on the program page.

Pursuing a Career in Social Work

Have you ever thought about pursuing a career in social work?

“It’s not for everyone. It’s for people who believe they can make a difference.” County human services departments throughout Colorado work around the clock to partner with their community to protect children and strengthen families. The overall goal is a healthy, happy family and children.

The Colorado Office or Children Youth and Families, Division of Child Welfare (DCW), commissioned a realistic job preview video to better prepare child welfare caseworkers for the responsibilities and pressures of the job. A two-minute version is also available.

Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline

1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1‑844‑264‑5437)

Anyone witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation should call 911 immediately.