How to Give Your Baby for Adoption in Colorado

Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy? One of the most important things to know as an expectant parent in Colorado is that you have options. No matter the circumstance, Adoptions With Love wants you to know that you do not have to make this decision alone. For more than 37 years, we have been matching expectant and birth parents with loving and devoted adoptive families. Our licensed, private adoption agency specializes in providing adoption services throughout the state of Colorado. If you are pregnant and hoping to learn more about adoption, we can help. Our caring staff is here to help you research your options, educate you about adoption in Colorado, and help you make the best possible decision for you and your baby – free-of-pressure and free-of-cost. We are available 24/7 to give you confidential and compassionate support, throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Deciding on Adoption for Your Baby

If you have been searching the internet for “give baby up for adoption in Colorado,” then you are seriously considering adoption. *The first thing to know is that adoption is NOT giving up at all. It is a positive, loving choice. Anyone making the brave decision to place a baby for adoption in Colorado is putting their child’s needs before their own. You are thinking about your child’s future. You are working to ensure that your child has a life full of love, stability, and opportunity – even if it is one that you cannot provide right now.

You will want to take some time to reflect on your decision. Adoption is not the right path for everyone. Use the following as a guide when deciding to give your baby up for adoption in CO.

Factors to Consider When Deciding on Adoption

Finances. Are you struggling to pay your bills? With the support of a Colorado adoption agency, you can get the financial assistance you need.

Ongoing contact with your child. Do you hope to have a relationship with your child someday? Thanks to open adoption, it is possible. You can choose to build a relationship with your child’s adoptive family and keep the lines of communication open for the many years to come. Adoption is no longer a “goodbye.” It is, in fact, the start of a new chapter.

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Adoption

Making the decision to place your baby for adoption in Colorado is positive, but it can also cause a mix of feelings. It is helpful to consider the emotional impact of your decision before making it final. When birth mothers lovingly place their children for adoption, they experience a grieving period, much like the loss of a loved one due to death. This is a painful part of the adoption process, but it is natural. These feelings are normal. While the feelings of heartache may come and go, particularly for the first year following birth, there are also feelings of joy. Many birth mothers report the happiness they feel about placing their baby for adoption in CO. Seeing your child be loved by two families, not just,  one is a wonderful experience. Knowing your child is safe, well cared for, and deeply loved by their adoptive family gives a feeling of comfort and sense of peace in the adoption decision.

Adoptions With Love understands the complex range of emotions that birth mothers in Colorado feel about their adoption. This is why we encourage all birth mothers to continue counseling services throughout – and after – the adoption process.

How to Place Your Baby for Adoption in Colorado

1. Choose an adoption agency.

As you begin to explore your options and make an adoption plan, your first step will be to choose the right adoption agency. There are countless adoption professionals to choose from, including:

• Private adoption agency. This type of Colorado adoption agency helps expectant/birth mothers lovingly make an adoption plan for their infant or young child.
• International adoption agency. This type of adoption agency matches adoptive parents in the U.S. with children born outside of the country.
• Foster care adoption agency. This is a state-run system that places children in homes after they have been separated from their birth families. This separation is determined by a judge in family court who has decided the child is living in an unsafe or unfit environment. This is not an adoption agency used by expectant/birth mothers voluntarily choosing adoption.

It is important to find someone you feel completely comfortable with – professionals you can trust. We recommend choosing an adoption agency that is fully willing to discuss your options, listen to your hopes and needs, and respect any choice that you make. Your adoption agency should also know and inform you on adoption laws in Colorado and provide you with the guidance you need and deserve.

2. Meet With an Adoption Counselor

After choosing an adoption agency that works in Colorado, you should begin meeting with a licensed adoption social worker. At Adoptions With Love, we believe this is an essential part of the journey. This is the person who will walk you through your pregnancy and adoption options, and who helps you make an adoption plan that is unique to you. They will also be there to answer your questions, to answer the phone whenever you call, and to help you navigate any emotions along the way. At Adoptions With Love, we believe an informed decision is the best decision, and that you should be given the opportunity to consider your options, learn about your birth mother rights, and understand exactly what to expect before, during, and after the adoption process. Only then will you know if adoption is right for you.

3. Learn About Legal Requirements for Adoption in Colorado

Adoption laws vary by state. In Colorado, birth parents may consent to adoption at any time – before or after birth – but the paperwork cannot be filed with the court until four days after the baby is born. At Adoptions With Love, we encourage birth parents to take this time to ensure they are comfortable with the decision.

Birth fathers may also need to consent to the adoption. This may depend on several factors. The birth father’s consent may not be required if his identity is unknown to the birth mother. The relationship and status of the birth father can be a complex issue, so this is typically handled on a case-by-case basis. It is best to speak with a Colorado adoption attorney about the birth father’s rights.

There are many other laws about financial aid you may receive and your rights as an expectant parent, as well. That is why, if you choose to make an adoption plan in Colorado, it is important to work with an agency that is experienced in the state. Adoptions With Love, for example, works with knowledgeable adoption attorneys who are specifically trained in Colorado adoptions. We can meet with you – wherever you are – to help walk you through the legal process. Rest assured that our legal services, along with other expectant/birth parent services, are free of charge.

4. Select an Adoptive Family

At Adoptions With Love, you will have the opportunity to choose the perfect adoptive family for your baby. Your adoption counselor will listen to your wishes and vision for the ideal family, and send you detailed profiles and photo albums from the many families hoping to adopt. Once you have chosen the right family, you will have the option to meet or speak with them – over the phone, email, or in-person – if you would like. This is completely up to you! No matter which family you choose, you can rest assured your baby will be welcomed into a safe, secure, and loving home. All families at Adoptions With Love undergo a thorough screening process, which includes background checks, interviews, and a series of in-person visits to ensure the safety and stability of their home.

5. Make an Adoption Plan

At Adoptions With Love, expectant/birth parents can choose the type of adoption plan that best meets their needs. You can choose between the following:

• Open adoption
• Semi-open adoption
• Closed adoption

As the expectant/birth parent, you may choose to stay connected with your child’s adoptive family  after the adoption takes place. This is available through an open adoption plan. Open adoption means birth parents and adoptive parents stay in contact over the years. You define this level of contact and the frequency of contact.

You may decide you do not want contact right away and opt for a closed adoption plan. You can always open this up down the road, with the help of your adoption counselor. All of the families at Adoptions With Love have agreed to at least a semi-open adoption, meaning we will have letters and photos of your child if and when you are ready.

6. Legally Finalize the Adoption

The last step to giving a baby up for adoption in Colorado is to legally finalize the adoption. Your Colorado adoption attorney can oversee this important part of the adoption process. Once the paperwork is signed and approved by a judge in court, your child’s adoption is complete. Adoption is a life-long journey. It does not end once the documents are filed.

Expectant/Birth Mother’s Rights in Colorado Adoption Process

Informed Content and Counseling Services

Making the decision to place your baby for adoption in CO is one that will change your life. It should be carefully considered. Adoptions With Love encourages expectant/birth mothers to take as much time as they need before signing consent forms. This is a decision that should be made after you are well-informed and well-versed in the adoption process in Colorado.

You should also pursue professional counseling before making this decision. It is important to understand the emotional impact it will have on your life. An experienced, compassionate adoption counselor can help you prepare for the journey ahead.

Right to Revoke or Withdraw the Adoption Plan

You, the expectant/birth mother, have the right to place your baby for adoption in Colorado and to change your mind at any point before signing the consent forms. Once the paperwork is signed, however, the decision cannot be reversed. This is why Adoptions With Love urges you to take your time in making your decision. It is never too late to place a baby for adoption.

Role of Adoption Agencies in Colorado

Adoption is a lifelong journey, and one that you should not face alone. After placing your baby for adoption in Colorado, we encourage you to pursue counseling and support. Adoptions With Love offers ongoing, confidential counseling services at no cost to birth parents who chose adoption. We can help you navigate your emotions, as well as any post-placement communication and relationships.

How Adoption Agencies Facilitate the Process

Whether you choose an open adoption, semi-adoption, or closed adoption, our trained social workers will always be here for you, now and for years to come. We can help you navigate your relationship with your child’s adoptive family and continue to support the growing bond with your child in the years ahead.

Selecting a Reputable and Supportive Adoption Agency

Your Colorado adoption agency should respect any decision you make regarding your pregnancy and adoption plan. This should be a reputable adoption professional that has experience of placing children with adoptive families. Adoptions With Love has been working with expectant/birth parents in Colorado since 1986. Our top priority is the health and well-being of the birth mother and child. With our supportive services, such as medical coverage, financial assistance, and comprehensive counseling services – before and after the adoption – you can lovingly place your baby for adoption in CO.

Post-Adoption Support Resources for Colorado Birth Mothers

Adoption does not end once the paperwork is signed. The support offered from your Colorado adoption agency continues beyond the adoption. Whether you just found out you are pregnant, are in your final trimester, or have already given birth to your baby, it is not too late to start an adoption plan. Contact Amy, Nancy, Jess, Kate or Brittany today at 1-800-722-7731 for more information on adoption in Colorado.

This is our State-by-State Adoption blog series. To learn about the different areas we service, or to find the specific steps of adoption in your state, please visit: adoptionswithlove.org/areas-we-service.