Who are Mandatory Reporters in Colorado?
Are You a Mandatory Reporter? Here’s What You Need to Know
In Colorado, more than 40 professions are mandatory
reporters of child abuse or neglect. By law, these people must
report any known or suspected child maltreatment to the
Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline within 24 hours.
Get the facts on mandatory reporters in Colorado today and
what may be expected of you.
If you suspect a child
is experiencing
abuse or neglect,
call the Colorado
Child Abuse and
Neglect Hotline now.
Who is a Mandatory Reporter?
Colorado law (C.R.S. 19-3-304) outlines who must report child abuse or neglect. Below is the list of those
required to be child abuse or neglect reporters in Colorado.
Click on each category to see a full list of all the professionals who are mandatory reporters.
Healthcare, Mental Health, and Medical Professionals:
- Physicians or surgeons, including physicians in training
- Child health associates
- Medical examiners or coroners
- Dentists
- Osteopaths
- Optometrists
- Chiropractors
- Podiatrists
- Registered nurse or licensed practical nurses
- Hospital personnel engaged in the admission, care, or treatment of patients
- Mental health professionals
- Dental therapists or dental hygienists
- Psychologists
- Physical therapists
- Pharmacists
- Licensed professional counselors
- Licensed marriage and family therapists
- Unlicensed psychotherapists
- Registered dietitian who holds a certificate through the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- People who are registered as psychologist candidates
- Marriage and family therapist candidates
- Licensed professional counselor candidates
- Emergency medical service providers
- Registered naturopathic doctors
Social Services Professionals:
- Social worker or worker in any licensed or certified facility or agency
- Juvenile parole and probation officers
- Child and family investigators
State Personnel:
- Workers in the state department of human services
- Officers and agents of the state bureau of animal protection, and animal control officers
- The Child Protection Ombudsman
- Officials or employees of county departments of health, human services or social services
- Employees of the department of early childhood
Law and Safety Professionals:
- Peace officers
- Firefighters
Educational and School Professionals:
- Public or private school official or employee
- Educator providing services through a federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children
- Director, coach, assistant coach, or athletic program personnel employed by a private sports organization or program
Clergy and Religious Professionals:
- Clergy members including priests, rabbis, duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church, members of a religious order, or recognized leaders of any religious body
- Christian science practitioners
Specialized Professionals:
- Commercial film and photographic print processors
- Veterinarians
Reporting to Both Your Employer and the Hotline
As a Mandatory Reporter in Colorado, you are
legally required to report any concerns regarding
child or youth maltreatment to the Colorado Child
Abuse and Neglect Hotline. According to House Bill
25-1188, you cannot delegate your duty to someone
who lacks firsthand concern, suspicion or knowledge
of the situation.
Following your employer’s procedures does not
exempt you from reporting to the Colorado Child
Abuse and Neglect Hotline. Your employer must
comply with state law and regulations and cannot
impede you from filing a report.
Do You Need to Report When You’re Off the Clock?
You are NOT required to make a report when
you are NOT working in your professional role.
However, if you are concerned about a child’s or
a youth’s safety and you are not on the clock,
you are encouraged to report your concerns.
Free Training to Mandatory Reporters in Colorado
If you’re a Mandatory Reporter in Colorado, it’s your responsibility to educate yourself on what’s required of you.
Take the free online training to learn more about child abuse and neglect, and your expectations as a reporter.
What’s covered in the training?
You will learn why it is important to report your concerns, recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect, and what to do when a minor discloses they are facing child maltreatment. Additionally, you will learn how to make a report and what to expect once you have completed one.
How often should you get training?
We encourage you to take this training every year. However, your employer may have a different expectation regarding the frequency with which you must obtain and maintain this certification. Please check with your organization.
What else to expect?
This free training will take about two hours to complete. Your progress will not be saved, so plan to complete the
training in one sitting. Once you have completed the training, you will need to save or print your certificate, as the
system does not save certificates.
Training Today
Learn in Person with a Child Welfare Expert
Want to make sure everyone at your
workplace understands how to report child
abuse and neglect? Schedule a
presentation with a child welfare expert
who can answer all your questions about
mandatory reporting in Colorado.
Do You Work In Education?
Teachers and school staff interact
with children and youth every day.
Use these resources to recognize
signs of child abuse and neglect in
the classroom and learn how to
handle difficult situations.
Teachers and Education
Professionals
