Quick Facts: Colorado
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 69% of metrics met
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Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 83% of metrics met
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Preventing youth experiencing homelessness from coming into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems: 67% of metrics met
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Providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently: 75% of metrics met
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Addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness: 100% of metrics met
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Allowing youth experiencing homelessness to access critical supports and services: 50% of metrics met
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Systems: 61% of metrics met
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Environment: 65% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 67
State Ranking 2022: 9
2021 Score
2020 Score
67
67
Colorado Highlights
Some areas where Colorado has moved the needle relative to other states include authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness, preventing their contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems, elevating the voices of youth who have experienced homelessness by partnering with them throughout policy development, and promoting safety and inclusion by providing protections for LGBTQ youth within key state programs.
Law & Policy
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The state has a state Runaway & Homeless Youth Act.
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The state doesn’t consider running away a criminal offense.
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The state gives minors contract rights OR allows them to enter into binding contracts for certain purposes (e.g. necessities).
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The state explicitly allows partial and alternative school credit accrual for homeless youth through regulations.
Systems
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There is a state entity (Office of homeless youth services, homeless youth state. coordinator, commission on homeless youth, etc.) that focuses solely on youth homelessness.
Environment
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The state maintains a community advisory board for youth that informs youth homelessness policy.
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The state promotes safe and inclusive environments in juvenile justice programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the Centennial State, with emphasis on the Systems and Environment categories. Protecting the rights and interests of vulnerable youth experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ youth, should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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The state should provide transportation home after discharge from the juvenile justice system
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Allow unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage on their own.
Systems
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The state plan to end homelessness should be updated to specifically include a youth component and strategies to end homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth.
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The state should allow youth to obtain state-issued identification without parental consent.
Environment
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Require training about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, healthy sexual development, or issues specific to LGBTQ youth for staff working in runaway and homeless youth systems.