Colorado

Delinquency and dependency proceedings: The general public cannot be excluded from juvenile court proceedings in Colorado unless the court determines that doing so is in the best interest of the child or the community. In such cases, the court may admit only those people with an interest in the case or in the work of the court, including those individuals whom the attorneys, the child involved and the child’s parents or custodian wish to be present. Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 19-1-106 (West 2012).

Delinquency records: Court records in juvenile delinquency cases are open without court order to certain individuals and agencies designated by statute. The records also may be inspected with consent from the court by any other person having a legitimate interest in the proceedings. The public has access to arrest and criminal-records information, including a person’s physical description, of juveniles who are: 1) adjudicated delinquent for, charged with the commission of or subject to a revocation of probation for committing the crime of possession of a handgun by a juvenile or an act that would constitute a felony or would constitute any crime involving the use or possession of a weapon if committed by an adult; and 2) charged with an offense that would constitute unlawful sexual behavior or a crime of violence if committed by an adult. A law enforcement agency may release records, including identifying information, of juveniles who: 1) have escaped from an institution to which they were committed; 2) are tried as adults; and 3) are convicted as adults and a court has ordered a presentence investigation. Any records released under the statute, however, do not include investigatory records or psychological profiles, intelligence test results or any information about whether the juvenile has been sexually abused. Id. § 19-1-304.

Dependency records: In general, reports of child abuse or neglect and the name, address or any other identifying information of any child, family or informant contained in such records are confidential, and disclosure is permitted only when authorized by a court for good cause. But such disclosure is not prohibited when there is a death of a suspected victim of child abuse or neglect and: 1) the death becomes a matter of public concern; 2) the alleged juvenile offender is or was a victim of abuse or neglect; or 3) the suspected or alleged perpetrator is arrested or charged in connection with the death. Id. § 19-1-307. In addition, all records prepared or obtained by the state Department of Human Services regarding the operation of juvenile facilities are confidential and not subject to public dissemination. Id. § 19-1-305.

Restrictions on coverage: Colorado law allows victims who were 14 years old or younger at the time of the alleged offense to testify about sexual offenses or child abuse outside the presence of the defendant via video-recorded testimony. The statute does not specify whether the media and public may remain in the courtroom during this testimony. Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 18-3-413, 18-6-401.3.