Colorado Adoption Agencies

Adoption Search and Reunion

Colorado
Adoption Agencies and Homes for Unwed Moms

DENVER

BAPTIST HOME ASSOCIATION

Lamb Memorial Hospital aka Park Avenue Hospital.

BOOTH Memorial Hospital - SALVATION ARMY

The mother's gave birth on the premises at the Booth Memorial Hospital. Those with difficult pregnancies were sent to Colorado General. The original name in 1929 was Women's Home and Hospital. This was changed in 1937 to the Salvation Army Women's Home and Hospital. In 1940 it became the Booth Memorial Home. The Salvation Army maintains a registry for those born at the Booth Hospital. It is a passive registry. Salvation Army Missing Person's Ministry does active searches for missing friends and family members. They request a donation of $50 to the Salvation Army, which they term a processing fee.
Location of the warehoused hospital records:
The Salvation Army Western Territory Headquarters holds records from Anchorage, Oakland, Los Angeles and San Diego, Denver, Honolulu, Boise, Portland, El Paso, San Antonio and Spokane.
To contact:

Major Leslie Peacock
The Salvation Army
USA Western Territorial Hdqtrs 11th Floor
PO Box 22646
Long Beach CA 90801-5646
800-698-7728

In the past birthmoms who had forgotten were able to get the exact DOB and time of birth by contacting a local office. I hope this may still be true by contacting the Western office above.
For general information:

The Western headquarters address is:
Social Services Department
30840 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275.

Catholic Community Services: CATHOLIC CHARITIES (CC)

If the adoption was through Catholic Charities you can call, write or email them.
Catholic Charities
2525 West Alameda Ave.
Denver CO 80219
303-742-0828
adoption@ccdenver.org email
In your message or e-mail, include your:
Full name, address, phone number, your name at the time of the adoption, if you were a birth parent. Your adoptive parents’ names, if you were an adoptee. This is necessary to verify that Catholic Charities has your records and finalized the adoption, as Catholic Charities can only provide search services for adoptions it finalized.
They will send you a form to Request Non-Identifying Information and a Release of Liability and Agreement to Hold Harmless. Complete these documents in full but do not sign until you are in front of the notary. The fee for this is 125.00. This is too high for many people.

CC initiated a program whereby they do searches only for those who used CC as the agency of adoption. The application fee for search and reunification, which would hold a spot on the waiting list, is $125. Once the search counselor is ready to begin a case, the balance of $600 is due. Therefore, the total fee for search and reunification is $725.
No matter the outcome of the search, Catholic Charities does not provide refunds. The fee covers the services rendered such as administrative costs and time spent by the search counselor in preparation sessions, reviewing the file and searching. Once they begin searching, (because of the number of clients they currently have, there is usually a 6 to 8 month waiting period in between the application fee and the time the search begins.) CC uses the files they have with the identifying information for the search, they are not able to get any additional files from the county. They also can not get a court order to open any file that they may need to finish a difficult search and they do not have state approved CI status.
There were offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fort Collins, and Greeley. In the 1940's Denver CC made placements out of the Amarillo TX office.
For all who need information through any Colorado Catholic Church, you can write to the Archdiocese of Denver CO 200 Josephine St. Denver CO 80206
Catholic Charities Local Catholic Church History and Catholic Ancestors of Colorado and Wyoming.

The head of CC in Colorado is:
Rev Marvin Kapushion CEO
Catholic Social Service Inc
302 Jefferson St
Pueblo CO 81004
(719) 544-4215
Fax (719) 544-4215

COTTAGE HOME

1925-1930 - Has been out of existence since about 1930. Records are at the State Archives, Department of Health section.

FLORENCE CRITTENTON HOME -- MARY DONALDSON HOSPITAL

Began in 1893 affiliated with the many homes by the same name that were spread across many states. Florence Crittenton Homes (FCH) were a large nation-wide organization with homes all across the United States. Charles Crittenton funded this home and several others across the U.S. in the 1890's as a memorial to his daughter who had died at age 4 from complications of scarlet fever. In most cases they had their own maternity clinics on the grounds where the Birth Moms lived while awaiting the birth of their babies.

Denver

The home was called the Florence Crittenton Home and the Hospital where the babies were delivered [on the top floor] was called the Mary Donaldson Hospital. All babies were born here unless there were any complications in which case they were sent to Colorado General, now called University Hospital. We find that many adoptees who have no hospital listed on their birth certificate were born at Mary Donaldson Hospital. We also find that babies who developed any problems right after birth were sent to CO General and may show CO General as the hospital of birth.

While staying at the Home women were given fake names and they were known by that name among the other occupants. Only those who got close to each other also knew the real name. Real names were used on legal documents. We do hear of early residents of FCH using those fake names on legal documents.

Adoptions were not handled by Florence Crittenton Home. The mothers were given a choice of who they wanted to handle the adoption. The three most common choices were Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and the county adoption Dept. In the early days of FCH many of the babies were sent to the CO State Home for Children.

The Denver Home closed as a home for unwed mothers in 1981 after being in existence since 1893. Today it is a school. It is a middle and high school that focuses on helping pregnant and parenting teens. It is part of the Denver Public School system.

Parent Pathways, Inc. Is a non-profit organization that is separate from the state's department of human Services. It runs this school and also holds the old records for FCH.

Florence Crittenton RECORDS &
Family & Children Services records
are held at: Parent Pathways, Inc.
6795 E. Tennessee Ave. #600
Denver, CO 80224
(303) 321-6363.
email
adoption@parentpathways.org

Log books start in 1911 and continue until June 1981, some are not complete.

They have no records prior to 1960 other than what is contained in the log books

From 1964 on they have complete records.
There are two sets of records. The first set are the records from the Florence Crittenton Home. These are records on those who stayed at the home, the records end at the time of the relinquishment.
The second set of records came to them through Family & Children's Services when they merged with the non-profit org. in 1975. This set of records are adoption records, but most of the records had been reduced to index cards a long time ago.
See above for information on how to contact them. They can answer general questions that you may have. By law, they are limited in what they can tell you.

FAIRHAVEN MATERNITY HOME

Established in 1915, ceased operation in 1966. During some periods they also had a hospital on the grounds, run by Robert Gottschalk MD. Privately run by Delia R Lowther and her daughter Ruth Crews as the Nursing supervisor. Later run by the granddaughter Donna Horvath-Yanz. While it is said that they catered to those from well to do families, I know of some who were not. The records are held by the granddaughter.

FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICE SOCIETY

This private adoption agency is not to be confused with any state run program. Appears to have been in existence from 1954 or earlier to 1968. The records are now held by the state dept. of Human Services.

FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF VIETNAM

Has chapters in many states and now known as Friends of Children of Various Nations. As the name implies, they handle adoptions through other countries.

INFANT OF PRAGUE ORPHANAGE

Orphanage opened in March 1946 as the Deanery Nursery Home, run by the Sisters of St. Francis. Started in the building that was at one time called the St. Clara's Orphanage. Part of it's funding came from the Community Chest (United Way) for a short period of time around the late 1940's. It moved numerous times in the early days. The Orphanage was closed in 1972. They did their own adoptions through about 1954. Adoptions in later years were done through Catholic Charities and they now hold most of the records for the Orphanage. Check with the Denver Catholic Archdiocese for records.

JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Appears to have started in 1908 and was under other names.

1355 S Colorado Blvd, suite 400 Denver CO 80222
contact Ann Veenstra 303-759-4890.
They did adoptions and had unwed mother's services. At one time known as Denver Sheltering Home for Jewish Children and National Home for Jewish Children.

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES

Was aka Lutheran Service Society. Lutheran Family Services of Colorado

Karen Bettis, MSW
Adoption Counselor
3800 Automation Way, Suite 200
Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-266-1788 ext. 159
fax 970.266.1799
1-866-361-6758 ext. 159 (toll free)
email Karen Bettis

Started in 1951. Records are kept on microfilm and you can get birth history information for a fee of $100. They don't give out any identifying information. Ask if the file has been added to over the years. Ask for a Search request form.

MOUNT ST VINCENT HOME

Orphanage begun with the 'Orphan Trains'. Early records were burned in a fire that destroyed the building in 1902. 1976- Took in emotionally disturbed children. Catholic sisters of Charity of Leavenworth KS. For information contact Sister Lavonne 303-458-7220.

SALVATION ARMY: see above under Booth Memorial Hospital

STATE: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

is now called
The Department of Human Services, Family and Children's Services. State Department of Public Welfare, Child Welfare Division.

Note: the state did not do any adoptions but they now hold the records of all the adoptions that were handled through the counties in Colorado.
At one time people were able to get limited information by calling this office. That is no longer true.
Reports I get now are that this office gives nothing and will not add anything to your file. They also do not tell you if someone has added anything to your file.
They tell people to get non-id through Adoption Options at a cost of $125 to $150 and to go through CCIS at a cost of $600.

STATE HOME FOR DEPENDENT & NEGLECTED CHILDREN

Established in 1895. Once called Colorado State Children's Home, and then Colorado Youth Center.
Deborah Adams is with the Colorado State Home, Adoption Records Division of Youth corrections. She has records on the adoption of children that were a ward of the State Home for Dependent and Neglected Children prior to being adopted. If you do not know if you were a ward of the state then you can call her and she will check for your records. She has records from 1895 to 1959. She seems to be very pleasant and can be reached by writing or calling:

Deborah Adams, Division of Youth Corrections, Closed Records,
4143 South Julian Way, Bldg 23,
Denver CO 80236;
phone (303) 866-7923; fax (303) 866-7383
deborah.adams@state.co.us
email
For anything after 1959 contact:
Debora Sylvia Trull
Adoption Program Assistant
Colorado Dept of Human Services
1575 Sherman Street, 2nd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203-1714
(303) 866-3228
debora.trull@state.co.us
email

COLORADO SPRINGS

CHRISTIAN HOME for CHILDREN & FAMILY LIFE SERVICES

This agency is still active and may have begun in about 1965. Adoption and unwed mother's services. Records are at: 6 W Cheyenne Rd. Colorado Springs CO 80906.
COLORADO SPRINGS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICE
Also known as Catholic Charities, CC

For information contact them at 29 W. Kiowa St Colorado Springs CO 80902. Or you may email Kathy

EL PASO COUNTY WELFARE

El Paso County Social Service Department 105 North Spruce Street Colorado Springs, CO 80905 719-636-0000 and fax # 719-444-5599

BOULDER

FOREIGN ADOPTION CENTER

Also called, Friends for All Children. Viet Nam Baby Lift files may not have been preserved. They had been at the State Department of Social Services. Other records should be at Friends of Various Nations, see Denver CO.

ENGLEWOOD/LITTLETON

COLORADO CHRISTIAN SERVICES

Colorado Christian Services
1100 W. Littleton Blvd, Suite 105
Littleton, Colorado 80120
303-761-7236, Fax 303-783-5708, toll free 1-800-988-0600
email Christine Crabb or Maegan Cave at email
ccs@christianservices.org

They do not check their email often. There is no charge for the non-id information. You can also be put on their mutual consent registry for free.
There is a $50 charge to process your paperwork and have an intermediary assigned to you. You will be sent forms that must be filled out and returned to them. It is reported that they are very nice, friendly, and do a good job with first contact.

GRAND JUNCTION

COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES

Adoption and unwed mom's services. This agency is now closed and the records are with the Department of human Services. see Denver

LAKEWOOD

LATTER DAY SAINTS SOCIAL SERVICES

Mormon agency. Many adoptions from this agency were to homes in Utah. They should still have records at 9590 W. 14th Ave. Lakewood CO 80215.

PUEBLO

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
Also known as Catholic Charities, CC

Adoption and unwed mothers services was established in 1941. They had a branch office in Grand Junction.

Jayne Mazur CEO, Pueblo CC, 249 W 10th, Suite 101
Pueblo CO 81003, 719-544-4233.
They will work with you on non-id information. Will soon be doing searches for adoptions that were done through their office. Write or call for more information.

FAMILY SOCIAL SERVICES

Associated with Catholic Charities. The Records for non-Catholics are with the Pueblo County Department of Social Services. Records for Catholics are with CC, above.

COLORADO ORPHANAGES AND HOMES FOR CHILDREN

CANON CITY

Colorado Odd Fellows Home

residential care for children established 1914. No records.

COLORADO SPRINGS

Home & Hospital

Established in 1913. Myron Stratton Home, Children's Department. Residential care for children. Probably no adoptions. No records.

DENVER

Affiliated Children's Family Services, Inc.
For Black children 1977. Appears that though they started some adoptions none were ever completed. No records.

American Legion Child Welfare

Under the auspices of the American Legion. Residential care of children. No records available. Headquarters is in Indianapolis IN.

Clayton Home for Boys

Care for boys 6 to 18 years. 1911. No known adoptions or records. Clayton Home for Boys
Photo of the Home

Colorado Children's Aid Society

Records may be at Human Services.

Colorado Christian Home

Established as part of the 'Orphan Trains'. It was primarily an orphanage but did do some adoptions. Records can be found at Tennyson Center 4325 W. 29th Av Denver CO 80212. Sharon Carr 303-433-8002.

Denver Children's Home

Part of the 'Orphans Train' now a residential treatment center. Richard Wong 303-399-4890.

CO State Home for Children
photos and history - changes in their web site having some trouble locating.
see above under agencies for information on contacts.

House of the Good Shepherd

For problem and delinquent girls operated by the Catholic Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Records may be at the Department of Institutions. Can also check with the Archdiocese of Denver.

J. K. Mullen Home for Boys

Catholic day school run by the Christian Brothers of the Catholic Church. Also residential care for orphan boys. For possible records try the Little Sisters of the Poor 3629 W 29th Av Denver CO
Phone: 303-761-1764. Records ext. 3307 or alumni office ext. 3336

McDonald's Maternity Hospital

1925 through at least 1947. No records found.

Mount St Vincent's photo
Mount Saint Vincent's Home, Sister LaVonne, 4159 Lowell Blvd, Denver CO 303-458-7220

Queen of Heaven Orphanage 1902 to 1970

Catholic home for orphan girls. Mother Cabrini Memorial School run by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. No records of adoptions, no records found.

St. Clara Orphanage

Run by the Fransican Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary. No records of adoptions.

Sacramental records for St. Clara's and Queen of Heaven are located in the Archdiocese Archives. Contact:
Archdiocese of Denver
Attention: Archives
1300 S. Steele St.
Denver CO 80210
303-715-3146
email: library1@archden.org

PUEBLO

Holy Family Orphanage

Catholic orphanage run by the Capulchin Sisters. Records can be found at the Western Research Library in Pueblo. Robert Collyer has done a great deal of work in finding these old records. He also has records for McClelland Orphanage. To contact him call (719) 543-7211 or write to him, 7A Windbridge Lane Pueblo, CO 81001.

Lincoln Home

A private institution for African American children established in 1905. No known adoptions. 2723 North Grand, Pueblo CO 81003

McClelland Orphanage Foundation

Was in operation in the early part of this century through at least 1930. It is now called the McClelland School. I have been told that some records for McClelland Orphanage can be found at the Western Research Library in Pueblo. Robert Collyer has done a great deal of work in finding these old records. To contact him call (719) 543-7211 or write to him, 7A Windbridge Lane Pueblo, CO 81001.

Sacred Heart Orphanage

Catholic home for emotionally disturbed teens.

WESTMINSTER

Belleview School. No records

Westminster School

Run by the Pillar of Fire Church. No records

Westminster Shelter Care

Division of human Services. 7640 Lowell Blvd Westminster CO 80030.

also see More Colorado adoption agencies and adoption lawyers.

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Before emailing for help, please read my search tips and use the resources on my website. It took me over six months to write all this.
I can't answer questions and put all this into an email.. {:-)~[
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