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Child Protection Ombudsman reports 1,100 cases closed and flags systemic compliance issues
Summary
The Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman reported closing ~1,078 cases last year, identifying 685 possible violations and 226 cases requiring deeper investigation; commissioners said most agencies implemented recommended corrective actions but the ombudsman lacks authority to compel action in some circumstances.
Jordan Stefan, Deputy Ombudsman for Colorado’s Office of Child Protection Ombudsman, told the Joint Health Committee the office closed about 1,078 cases last fiscal year and is tracking systemic trends that inform policy recommendations.
"Last fiscal year, we opened about 1,100 cases from members of the public in Colorado," Stefan said, describing individual casework and systemic investigations. The office identified roughly 685 possible violations of regulation or state law across closed cases and carried 226 matters into more in‑depth investigations.
Stefan emphasized the office’s role: it is independent of the Colorado Department of Human Services, conducts confidential investigations, and issues systemic recommendations but cannot compel agencies to act in criminal or civil proceedings. She said most agencies agreed with the office’s findings: in all but 12 cases the agency engaged and implemented changes such as improved documentation, reopened cases, personnel actions, training and new protocols.
The ombudsman highlighted earlier issue briefs that led to policy changes, including recommendations on surveillance in Division of Youth Services (DYS) facilities and searches; DYS has implemented pilots for body‑worn cameras in two facilities and other reforms tied to the Timothy Montoya task force and HB1188. Stefan also outlined the office’s outreach, youth engagement programs and a fellowship to elevate foster‑youth voice.
Committee members pressed about jurisdiction over Youth Offender Services (YOS) and disposition of the dozen cases where agencies did not accept findings. Stefan said the office lacks full statutory authority over YOS and that, for unresolved county‑level cases, the ombudsman can elevate concerns to supervising state agencies such as CDHS for further action.
The office requested follow‑up conversations on particular cases and noted it will return to the committee with more detailed breakdowns on unresolved matters when requested.
