Monday, November 13, 2017

DENVER – National Adoption Day is being celebrated in many of Colorado’s Judicial Districts throughout November, with judges and magistrates across Colorado finalizing the adoptions of 159 foster children into permanent families. Colorado is currently home to an additional 276 children waiting for permanent families.

“The celebration of National Adoption Day in Colorado is an ever-growing event and I am proud to see so many courts participating to bring children and families together to find their happily ever after,” said Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy E. Rice.

Adoption Day events in Colorado are being coordinated through the courts, state and local human services departments, as well as other local and state child agencies and advocacy groups. 

Following is a rundown of November’s Adoption Day activities in Colorado:

First Judicial District (Jefferson and Gilpin counties) – The First Judicial District will celebrate  Adoption Day on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to noon  in courtrooms 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D of the Jefferson County Courthouse (100 Jefferson Parkway, Golden, CO 80401).  Judges Tamara Russell, Gail Meinster and Margie Enquist will join Magistrate Jamin Alabiso to preside over adoptions for 18 children into 16 families. Cameras are welcome. For more information, contact Mallory Albi, Jefferson County Department of Human Services, at 303-271-4389.

Second Judicial District (Denver County) – On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse (520 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204), Denver Juvenile Court Judges Donna Schmalberger and Laurie Clark will join Denver District Court Judge Jay Grant and Magistrates Howard Bartlett, Melanie Gilbert and Lord Blegen to unite 47 children with 34 families. This is the thirteenth annual celebration of National Adoption Day in Denver.  Expanded media coverage has been granted – cameras are welcome. For more information, contact Rob McCallum at robert.mccallum@judicial.state.co.us.

Eighth Judicial District (Jackson and Larimer counties) – Larimer County will celebrate Adoption Day on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at the Larimer County Justice Center (201 La Porte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521). Eighteen children are expected to be adopted.  There will be adoption proceedings throughout the day with Judges Blanco and Jouard presiding.  After each adoption proceeding, the newly adopted children and their family and friends will head to the jury assembly room to enjoy entertainment, a balloon artist, a caricaturist and cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats in a decorated room filled with music. Each child will receive a special adoption bear, a treat bag filled with donated free children’s meals, gift certificates and treats from local businesses, as well as a book about adoption.  For more information, please contact Donna Hochberg, Esq., Hochberg Law Office, PLLC at dshochberg@yahoo.com or 970-493-1718.

Tenth Judicial District (Pueblo County) – The Tenth Judicial District will celebrate Adoption Day for the ninth year in a row on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 401 at the Pueblo County Courthouse (501 N. Elizabeth Street, Pueblo, CO 81003).  District Court Judge Larry C. Schwartz will preside over the adoptions of eight children into six families. Following the adoptions, a cake and refreshment celebration will be held.  Expanded media coverage has been granted. For more information, contact Amanda Ledbetter at 719-583-4716.

Twelfth Judicial District (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties) – The Twelfth Judicial District  will host a reception on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, honoring all families who have adopted children and all children who have been adopted in the Twelfth Judicial District in the  last year.  Forty-five children were adopted into 35 families in the last year.  Members of the public, the courts, Department of Human Services, county attorneys and county commissioners are expected to be in attendance. Chief Judge Pattie Swift will address the group to discuss the important role of adoptive families in the justice system and thank all DHS staff, attorneys, adoptive parents, and foster parents for the work that they do. For more information, contact Christina Gallegos at christina.gallegos@judicial.state.co.us.

Fourteenth Judicial District (Grand, Moffat and Routt counties) – On Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at 2 p.m. Chief Judge Mick O’Hara will preside over one adoption in Courtroom 2B at the Routt County Courthouse (1955 Shield Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487). Photography will be permitted with consent of the family. For more information, contact Chief Judge O’Hara at 970-879-5020.

Sixteenth Judicial District (Bent, Crowley and Otero counties) – On Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, the Sixteenth Judicial District will host a celebration for all families who adopted children in the Sixteenth Judicial District in 2017.  The celebration begins at 10 a.m. at the Otero Combined Court (13 West Third Street, Room 206, La Junta, CO 81050). Caseworkers, attorneys, and CASA volunteers will be present with the Honorable Mark MacDonnell to celebrate with the families.  There will be a reception and a guest speaker for the families.  The celebration is open to the public and guests are encouraged to use the south entrance to the courthouse.  For more information contact Wendy Larsen at 719-383-7123.