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)