A non-family member can petition the court to adopt a child they are caring for if:
The birth parents have abandoned the child for one year or more, or
The birth parents have failed to provide reasonable support for the child, such as failing to pay child support, for one year or more.
The non-family member must have legal custody over the child established either through an Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR) or Guardianship case. The non-family member will petition the court for a “Custodial Adoption.” C.R.S. § 19-5-203(k)