COLORADO PARENTAL CONSENT AND RELINQUISHMENT OF PARENTAL RIGHTS FOR ADOPTION

(governed by Colorado Children’s Code, COLO. REV. STAT. tit. 19, art. 5)

[// GUIDANCE: All bracketed items are mandatory fill-ins for the drafting attorney. Delete guidance notes prior to execution.]

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Title & Parties
This Parental Consent and Relinquishment of Parental Rights for Adoption (the “Consent”) is made by:
• Relinquishing Parent(s): [LEGAL NAME(S)] (“Relinquishing Parent”)
• Child: [CHILD’S FULL LEGAL NAME], born [DATE OF BIRTH] in [CITY/COUNTY, STATE] (the “Child”)
• Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)/Agency: [NAME] (the “Placement Party”)

2. Effective Date & Jurisdiction
This Consent is executed in the State of Colorado on [EFFECTIVE DATE] and is governed exclusively by Colorado law, including but not limited to the Colorado Children’s Code, COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-101 et seq. (the “Act”). Venue for all proceedings shall lie in the [COUNTY] District Court, sitting as the Colorado state family court (the “Court”).

3. Recitals
A. Relinquishing Parent is the legal [mother/father] of the Child and desires that the Child be permanently placed for adoption.
B. The Placement Party has agreed to accept custody of the Child for the purpose of adoption, subject to Court approval.
C. Pursuant to the Act, Relinquishing Parent desires to (i) irrevocably relinquish all parental rights to the Child, and (ii) consent to the Child’s adoption, subject to statutory revocation rights prior to the Court’s entry of an Order of Relinquishment.

II. DEFINITIONS

For ease of reference, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. Any term capitalized but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned by the Act.

“Act” – The Colorado Children’s Code, COLO. REV. STAT. tit. 19, art. 5.
“Child” – The minor identified in Section I.
“Consent” – This Parental Consent and Relinquishment document.
“Court” – The Colorado state district court exercising juvenile jurisdiction over this matter.
“Effective Date” – The calendar date on which Relinquishing Parent signs this Consent before a notary.
“Order of Relinquishment” – The Court’s written order terminating the parental rights of Relinquishing Parent pursuant to COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-103(7).
“Revocation Period” – The time up to and including the moment immediately before entry of the Court’s Order of Relinquishment, during which Relinquishing Parent may withdraw this Consent in accordance with COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-103(9).

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Grant of Consent and Relinquishment

(a) Relinquishing Parent hereby voluntarily and unconditionally:
 (i) Relinquishes all parental rights, obligations, and privileges with respect to the Child; and
 (ii) Consents to the permanent adoption of the Child by the Placement Party or any individual(s) designated by the Placement Party, subject to Court approval.

(b) This Consent is executed no sooner than four (4) calendar days after the Child’s birth as mandated by COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-103(5).

3.2 Mandatory Counseling

Relinquishing Parent affirms that:
(a) Prior to signing this Consent, Relinquishing Parent received at least one (1) hour of face-to-face relinquishment counseling with a qualified counselor approved pursuant to COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-103.5;
(b) The counselor’s written affidavit will be filed with the Court; and
(c) Relinquishing Parent was informed of all legal consequences, available alternatives, and the right to independent legal counsel.

3.3 Revocation Rights

(a) Relinquishing Parent may revoke this Consent only by filing a written Notice of Withdrawal with the Court before entry of the Order of Relinquishment. See COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-103(9).
(b) After the Order of Relinquishment is entered, this Consent becomes final and irrevocable except upon appeal or as otherwise permitted under C.R.C.P. 60.

[// GUIDANCE: Consider attaching a statutory summary of revocation rights as Exhibit A for client clarity.]

3.4 Waiver of Further Notice

Relinquishing Parent waives all further notice of adoption proceedings except that required by the Act or ordered by the Court.

3.5 Cooperation Covenant

Relinquishing Parent shall execute such additional documents and appear at such hearings as may be reasonably required to effectuate the Child’s adoption.

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

Relinquishing Parent represents and warrants that:
1. Capacity: Relinquishing Parent is at least 21 years of age or has obtained a judicial waiver under COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-103(1)(c).
2. Voluntariness: This Consent is executed freely, knowingly, and voluntarily, without fraud, duress, or undue influence.
3. No Prior Termination: No prior court has terminated Relinquishing Parent’s rights to the Child.
4. Paternity/Maternity: Relinquishing Parent is the Child’s [biological/legal] [mother/father] and has the authority to enter into this Consent.
5. No Consideration: No unlawful consideration or compensation has been received or promised, except as permitted under COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-213.
6. Accuracy: All information provided herein and in any accompanying documents is true, complete, and accurate.

Representations and warranties shall survive execution of this Consent and entry of the Order of Relinquishment.

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Confidentiality. Relinquishing Parent agrees not to disclose identifying information about the Placement Party or prospective adoptive family except as permitted by the Act or Court order.

5.2 Future Contact. Any post-adoption contact shall be governed solely by a Separate Post-Adoption Contact Agreement approved by the Court pursuant to COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-208.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

6.1 Attempted Late Revocation. Any attempted revocation after entry of the Order of Relinquishment shall be null and void unless allowed by statute or rule.

6.2 Enforcement. The Placement Party and/or Child’s guardian ad litem may seek declaratory or injunctive relief in the Court to enforce the terms of this Consent, including to secure or maintain the Child’s placement.

6.3 Attorneys’ Fees. If the Court determines that a party has breached this Consent without statutory basis, the non-breaching party may recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

[// GUIDANCE: Indemnification and liability caps are expressly “not applicable” per user metadata. Section included for structural completeness.]

No indemnification, limitation of liability, or insurance provisions apply to this Consent.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law. This Consent and all related proceedings shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado.

8.2 Forum Selection. Exclusive jurisdiction and venue shall reside in the [COUNTY] District Court, sitting as the Colorado state family court.

8.3 Arbitration. Arbitration is unavailable for matters arising under the Act; all disputes shall be resolved by the Court.

8.4 Jury Waiver. Pursuant to COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-1-108(3), jury trials are not available in relinquishment or adoption proceedings.

8.5 Injunctive Relief. The Court shall retain continuing jurisdiction to issue any injunctive orders necessary to preserve the Child’s permanent placement and best interests.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Entire Agreement. This Consent constitutes the entire understanding between the parties concerning relinquishment and supersedes all prior agreements, oral or written.

9.2 Amendments. No amendment to this Consent shall be valid unless in writing and approved by the Court.

9.3 Assignment. Rights and obligations hereunder are personal to the Relinquishing Parent and may not be assigned.

9.4 Severability. If any provision of this Consent is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force to the maximum extent permitted by law.

9.5 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Consent may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature, each of which shall be deemed an original.

9.6 Successors. This Consent shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, and permitted assigns.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

[// GUIDANCE: Colorado requires notarization of parental relinquishments. Attach required statutory advisements if provided by the court.]

RELINQUISHING PARENT

Signature: ______
Printed Name: _____
Date: ______

NOTARY PUBLIC
State of Colorado )
County of [__] )

Subscribed and sworn to before me on _, 20, by [Relinquishing Parent Name].

Notary Public: ______
My Commission Expires: ____

Optional Exhibits

• Exhibit A – Statutory Summary of Revocation Rights
• Exhibit B – Counselor’s Affidavit (COLO. REV. STAT. § 19-5-103.5)
• Exhibit C – Post-Adoption Contact Agreement (if any)

[// GUIDANCE: Attach exhibits as required by local practice or judge’s standing orders.]

END OF CONSENT FORM