17 year old runaway law in Colorado

[Guest]

If im 17 and 6 months and I want to run away, will the cops try to file it or will they leave it be since im almost 18? I also live in colorado so I just curious before I decide to actually leave.

[ccsmod13]

Hi, thanks for reaching out to NRS!

This is a really great question. We are not legal experts; however, from what we know if you leave home without permission then your parents can report you as a runaway. This is not illegal, so you would not be arrested. But if the police know where you are then they might return you home. Because you are so close to 18, the police are not necessarily going to consider this an urgent matter or actively search for you. In some cases, the police do not consider you a runaway at 17. The best way to know for sure what the protocol is in your area is to call the local police department's non-emergency number to ask questions which can be done anonymously.

We want to support you through this decision to leave and anything that follows. We are available 24/7 by phone (800-786-2929) and chat if you would like to talk more about your next steps.

Good luck,
NRS

[Guest]

My girlfriend is 16 and i am 18 she is turning 17 fairly soon, unfortunatly not only has her mother his her on numerous occasions for her self harming. But she has had me pay all the bills for the last 4 months. I'd lile to take my girlfriend away, as i am ready to face any and all legal consequences. I suppose my only question is if i cross state lines is it a heavier offense ? Will i have a chance to explain and perhaps show that i was doing it for the well being of a minor ? or will we simply be swept under a large blanket of statistics who get swept away in the system ? Also if i should find myself in court can i her boyfriend have a legal counsil show that her parent is unfit ?

[ccsmod4]

My girlfriend is 16 and i am 18


Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. We are not legal experts so we are only able to offer general information.

If a report is filed with the police, a runaway may be detained and returned home to their parent or guardian. Running away is not considered a criminal act but a status offense with the report being removed once the runaway is recovered.
However to your point you should note that anyone considered to be aiding or harboring someone that has been reported as a runaway could face legal charges.
Anytime there is a matter where the minor is being abused in the home by a parent, guardian etc. They have the right to file a child abuse report with child services.
To do so they might consider contacting Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org
To learn more about the runaway laws in your state contact the non-emergency number to your local police department.
Hours are most likely normal business hours 9am-to 5pm.
You can usually find the non-emergency number online.
Another option is to seek legal counsel. You may be able to locate some legal aid resources in your area by searching online.

NRS is here to listen and here to help.
We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi, I’m 17 and I’m fixing to turn 18 in about 5 months. I’ve been in an abusive home for as long as I can remember. And it’s just getting worse with my parents. It’s all because I refuse to break up with my boyfriend. I can take care of myself financially, I’ve been paying my own bills sense I was 16, But if I runaway from home and move in with my grandparents could I still be forced to move back into an unsafe home? I’ve done a bunch of research and it said in the state of Colorado a willingly runaway 17 year old will not be forced by the police to go home if not proven to be in any danger. Is this also true?

[ccsmod7]

Thank you so much for reaching out to NRS. We are so sorry you are experiencing abuse at home by your parents. No child should be harmed in anyway by their parent.

We here at NRS are not legal experts. We are also unfamiliar with the rule about a willing runaway that you are referring to. What we know is that often times running away is considered a status offense and is not illegal. Police will only return you home if there is a runaway report on file, and so it may be helpful to consider if your parents would file one. It is also up to the discretion of the police as to how they would handle your case since you are so close to being 18. It could be a good idea to anonymously call the non-emergency police line and ask how they normally handle these situations. Police, also, will not return youth home to unsafe situations. It could be could be worth considering filing an abuse report to avoid being put back into an unsafe situation. We realize this can be a really difficult decision, but we would be happy to help support you in doing this if you gave as a call.

It sounds like you have really put some thought into this, and we are glad to hear that it sounds like you have some figures in your life of support. We really appreciate you reaching out. If you want to talk through any more of your options or want to discuss making an abuse report, we would be happy to help you. You can give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Again, thank you so much for contacting us.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Guest]

I’m 15 and in Colorado and very unhappy with my home life. I have a plan of a place I can move when I’m 16. But I don’t know the runaway laws. Can you file for emancipation at sixteen in Colorado? My parents never trust anything I say and all they do is complain about how they want to get divorced but won’t because I still live at home. My parents have also proven to have given my brother a very very hard time when he was around my age. But I’m not sure if they’d call the police and file runway on me. Because they never did for my brother when he would leave. What all do you need to file for emancipation? I really need to get out of my home. And I have a friend’s mom who wants me to move in with them to get me out of there. How can I go about this? Thanks

[ccsmod4]

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like there are several issues you are having either about the relationship between your parents the one they have with you.
It seems to be causing you a bit of frustrations. We understand how difficult situations can make things feel somewhat overwhelming and you just want to find an option out of it. Self –care is important so you did a good job by reaching out today to NRS.
We are not legal experts but we offer some general information on the emancipation laws in Colorado. A juvenile over fifteen years of age and under eighteen years of age who has, with the real or apparent assent of the juvenile's parents, demonstrated independence from the juvenile's parents in matters of care, custody, and earnings. Etc.
To gain more information you might consider contacting the legal services listed below.
BOULDER CO LEGAL SERVICES

Phone number: 303-449-7575

8:30am-5:00pm Monday to Friday

Fort Collins

COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES

Phone number: 970-493-2891

8:30am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm Monday to Friday
We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Im a 17 year old in Colorado. I came out to my parents and they reacted very poorly. They said that they couldn't have a gay person living in their home. So out of fear for my own safety I left that night. I was with a friend for two days before my parents figured out where I was and threatened to call the cops if I didn't come. SO I came and am staying at a families house from my church becuase my parents cant have me home right now. We are doing therapy and they wont bend. DHS was called on them and they called me selfish for lying to someone enough that they thought they needed to report. My parents are highly emotionally abusive and have trends of physical abuse. I need to know what my rights are. I cannot go back but they are threatening to make me. I don't feel safe. Earlier this year I was in a a mental hospital for suicide and depression and my mom asked me why i couldn't just be okay. I need to know if I can run away without being brought back. Please help

[ccsmod15]

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out during this difficult time We are so sorry to hear that your fled your parents home due to their homophobia. You have every right to feel safe and wanted in your own home. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and especially in a time where you have a really tough situation at home. You can report the abuse to Child Help at 1-800-422-4453 if that is something you are comfortable with. If staying at home doesn't feel like a safe option to you right now, please give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY so we can be able to talk through your options on where to stay and give you specific resources in your area. You can look up some of these options yourself using: 211.org or the nationalsafeplace.org. You also mentioned you were in a hospital for feeling suicidal, the National Suicide Hotline is also a good resource to reach out to. We hope that you are able to get in touch with a case worker or social worker after reporting the abuse who can help you find safe placement. Please give us a call if you would like to discuss further options.

[Guest]

So I have a 17-year-old that I love with all my heart... It’s been up and down with her for a while. And they finally hit its peak when we had gotten into an argument and she threw her phone That ******** just got in not too long ago I told her she was grounded from her phone and then I took away the laptops that she couldn’t communicate through FaceTime because at the time she had a boyfriend that was out of state so she said she didn’t care about not having her phone .... After I’ve been searching the streets for her because it was after dark the last place I checked with her grandmothers because she doesn’t have a very good relationship with her nor do I so was the last place I checked...She ended up being there and of course I was a little bit upset that her grandma didn’t bother telling me that she was in there said I could stop worrying. Feeling a little bit betrayed I then went home they did end up coming to the house but honestly this was not a discussion for the grandmother this was a discussion between me and my daughter until she was ready apologize I said that they just needed to go. She ended up not staying at the grandmothers house and with the grandmother’s blessing stayed at one of her girlfriends house...And after a week or two there then moved to another person’s house....The grandmother and her in spite of the fact that she doesn’t get along with her and does not want to live with her....Being that my daughter is not working and needs money has now become friends or at least it’s OK with the grandmother in order to finance her new rule free lifestyle... I did not report her as a runaway because I wanted her to be able to finish school... And I certainly didn’t think that it would take this long for her to come to her senses but God only knows the sob stories that have been said.. Not only that but I would rather her at least be in a safe environment with the parents present then on the street as a runaway and possibly being put in a position where she needs to earn her keep from older man that could support her. Because she is 17 I didn’t want her to make any more rash decisions that could affect her life the rest of her life... And when school starts up again and she walks through the doors I didn’t want please officers to arrest her for being around away causing her to not finish high school because I do want her to go to college she is super smart. Due to the COVID-19 as well Not having family support. Emotionally mentally physically and financially where we are living is not where we need to be for the rest of the family as well as myself. So for the rest of her siblings Welfare I have decided to move not a state still in State... And honestly would love for her to come to. But there would be rules and she is dead set on she is grown. What do I do because I don’t want to discourage or make it hard for her to be able to finish school and pursue a good life and go to college but I don’t want Life to be harder for her to continue to go to school or college. Nor do I want the people that she staying with to get charges of harboring a runaway because like I said I’m happy that she’s at least in a safe environment there could be worse situations but at the same time due to the fact that there is a little bit of manipulation going on I also have To know that I am also legally protected. I Could really use some input

[Guest]

Hello, im going to turn 17 here in a month and my mom told me to get out of the house because of personal issues i dont want to get into but anyways i didnt because where do i really go? So my aunt said if she ever says that again just come and live with her, my dad told me i could do whatever i want , and that i can move out its just i need to know where i have to stay first, my question is if i have a parent approval to live somewhere with FAMILY that i know would that really be "running away"? Or can she report me in that when she told to to get out

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We’re sorry to hear that things between you and your mom have gotten to the point where you feel you need to leave. While we are not legal experts, we do have a great deal of experience working with runaways. It is our understanding that if your mom and dad share equal custody of you, then either of them can give you permission to stay somewhere else. If they are separated, though, then that may be different and it would be a good idea to talk to your parents about that to see if they might know. Unfortunately, your mom can still report you as a runaway even if she told you to leave. As your guardian, she can determine at will where you are to be living. So, even if she told you to leave at one point, she can change her mind whenever she wants to.

If you want to know more about running away or if you want to ask any other questions about your situation, please reach out to us at 1-800-786-2929 or chat with us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I'm 16 I live in Colorado
I am fighting ( verbally) with my sister and mom all the time, my sister and I have never gotten along together. I should probably also say that I'm adopted. However even before the adoption I never had gotten along with her. But you see my mom and I have been fighting because 9 months ago I had come out as transgender ( ftm female to male) but I have been patient with her but no progress. Four days ago today I had asked to talk with my doctor privetly no big deal right? No when I had come back to return her computer she looks at me and goes " What was that for? " I said it's nothing and she started to get agitated and kept repeating herself. I don't feel like I have privicy at all. A month ago I had went to South Carolina and with my mom's ex ( by myself) and even though she had told me that she was going to go through my room and pick it up. I had asked her not to because I had something personal and wanted to keep it hidden until I went to college, she then told me it's ok I have school work anyway ( I trusted her and was fine leaving my room without worry) Only to find out my room yes was nice but that thing was on my wooden book house. Where she could see it. I had left it in a box hidden. She had told me that she wasn't going to do something but did it. Now ( sorry for the rant back there) for my sister we have always fought. No matter what it was. Were nice to each other only in a full moon or when our mom is gone.
However I also in the 3 years past had been sent to the hospital for mental health only to crawl my way out of there. I don't know if it's just me or if it's normal to want to go there to get away from them ( mom and sister). I have thought about running away in the past when my mom had unittenionaly brought a abusive boyfriend in the house. He's gone now but this isn't the first time I have thought about running away and hiding from her. Also I feel forced to stay ( the family I'm in has said nothing) because they took me ' in ' and raised me.

So my question is what is the legal age I have to be to run away and not be sent back? Can I stay at a friend's house until I turn the legal age or what do I do?

[ccsmod8]

Hey there,

Thank you for reaching out, it takes a lot of courage to ask for help when you need it. It sounds like things at home have been difficult for awhile. It can be hard when you aren’t feeling supported by your family after coming out to them.

It can be difficult for parents to start giving teenagers privacy. You have a right not to tell your mom about your conversation between you and your doctor. It is possible for her to contact the doctor and ask them. You aren’t protected from your parents through HIPAA until you are 18. That said, most things will stay private between you and your doctor.

We aren’t legal experts, but you can’t easily leave your house until you are considered an adult, which is 18. There is an option called an alternate living situation. Your parents can agree and put it in writing that you can live somewhere else. Some police stations won’t pursue a runaway that is 17, but that depends on the individual local stations. So there isn’t really a legal way to leave without your mom’s permission. We can talk more about your options and your specific situation if you want to call or chat with us, 1800-RUN-AWAY, or www.1800runaway.org. Or if you would like to speak with an organization focused on LGBTQ+ issues you can reach out to the LGBT National Hotline, 1-888-THE-GLNH (843-4564).

Again, we’re really glad that you reached out to us. It takes a lot of strength to ask for help, and to figure out what your options are. We’re here to listen, here to help.

Good Luck!

[Guest]

I'm curious, a girl aged 17 that I consider a little sister is having a rough time at home. Her parents are divorced, again, and her mental health is going downhill but her father is extremely controlling. She wants to be emancipated but her father won't let her get a job or move out to achieve independence. My wife and I are willing to allow her to move in with us but I am concerned that I will get into trouble by taking her in. We want to provide a safe, calm, and stable environment that'll allow her to work on herself and work towards independence. Any kind of help would be awesome!

[ccsmod3]

Hey there, and thanks for reaching out to us here at NRS. We're sure that your support means so much to this person, and we commend you for being there for her. While laws around the harboring of a runaway vary from state to state, generally speaking, each state does have something of the sort in place. These laws could put you at risk of getting into trouble with the law for allowing her to stay with you without parental consent. It's definitely a good idea to ensure that you have a concrete understanding of the laws in your state around this, and maybe cover your bases even further and have a consult with an attorney before making that commitment.

Here's a quick glimpse into the laws in your state: A person may commit a crime if that person harbors a runaway. If a person knowingly provides shelter to a minor without the guardian’s consent or if the person intentionally fails to release the minor upon the request of a law enforcement official to the official, fails to disclose the known location of the minor when requested to do so by a law enforcement official, obstructs a law enforcement official from taking the minor into custody, assists the minor to avoid or attempt to avoid a law enforcement official, or fails to notify the guardian of the child or a law enforcement officer that a minor has been given shelter within 24 hours of giving the shelter. A defense to this crime is that the person had custody of the minor at the time.

If you'd like to chat in more detail, please feel free to reach out to us directly by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY or by chatting with us live at www.1800runaway.org. You're also welcome to pass along our information to your friend and we'd be happy to directly assist. We're available 24/7 and are always happy to listen, and to help.

Take care.

NRS

[Guest]

Hi you said in an earlier rely to someone stating that you had a database to help look at aid resources to get a better understanding regarding leaving home early and how to go about that. I'm 17 and my case is a little different I'm a ward of the state and my case worker has been my guardian for about 4 years now which is when I entered the whole being in girls group homes and such I do struggle with depression and ptsd and emotional attachment disorder including substance abuse aswell. I've been on the run from a safe house and I still even talk to my case worker and I was recently informed by my CASA or my advocate who goes to all of my court hearings she let me know that my GAL HAS BEEN LYING saying she's talked to me and she knows a lot of information that just doesn't make sense how she would know at all considering she doesn't talk to me and hasn't for around 2 years I've got a pick up warrant but ********s hard man. Like my mom was supposed to be my permanency plan but she says me being around is a trigger when she has only met me ********ing 3 times if that and I'm a trigger? Ok I mean I get it by the whole point for me to go with her in her say she would just ship me off to rehab and I don't do well with the whole being contained bc I'm made to feel like a zoo animal just being thrown around places and restrictions I don't need. So basically I've been on the run for about two years my birthday is in July and so that's not very far away. I still haven't even gotten a driver's license or permit or state id. Which I need help to figure out how I can get my original birth certificate re printed so I may have one bc not even my case worker has one and then also I need to get my ssc original too. I also need to have a state id to help get jobs that aren't under the table and the only reason I'm stressing is because my team has known the entire time where I have been I don't lie to them and they have told me on a number of occasions as well as have met up with me and even been inside of where I've lived and never reported it. Which is technically against their job policy especially for a case worker and so anyways she won't go in to the dmv with me to sign for my I'd which is stupid bc it's like I have no placement options in the state of colorado and they have said I do better on the run rather than when I'm in their care so why won't they just help me as far as legally just let me be cut loose or at least help me with food stamps or getting my documents so that I can go to the doctor and the dentist which I haven't seen in over two years as well as a mental health professional and get back into school I'm supposed to be a senior this year I was supposed to have graduated but I dropped out when I was a sophomore so oh well big deal but I still want to at least get my ged. I need to have a paper trail of consistent work and also I would like to know how my friend who has been taking care of me knowing full well I'm underage henceforth their reasoning for helping me in the first place as well to help get him to be my legal guardian or how to go about that process even if not a guardian given the timing before I'm an adult then something like a emergency guardianship which is good for about 60 days I think idk but also I need to know what would happen or the reason for and not being able to age out of the system even after 18. so I would rlly appreciate even though this is a lot of you can help me I do try my best but I don't know wtf to do sorry for the language.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing some of your situation. It sounds like you are going through a lot. It sounds like you need help with several things. Normally your case worker would be the best person to talk to about this, but it's unclear if they are helpful to you or not. Probably the best way we can help with your situation would be for you to call us at confidential 24 hour hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or chat with us via the chat feature on our website: www.1800runaway.org. When you call we talk more about your situation and perhaps get a clearer understanding of the situation and how we can help. It may be possible to find a transitional living program for you in the city and state you are in, for example. We hope to hear from you soon!

Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I am a 17 year old girl 7 months away from being 18. I just recently was brought back home from leaving my house to stay with a trusted friend without my parents permission. I did not feel safe going back home and CPS started to look into it. I told them about my dad's abusive tendencies but nothing happened and they forced me to go back home with them. My parents are holding my phone and car keys until further notice. I am also not allowed to leave the house or be left alone. There are cameras inside and outside of our house by every room. They won't let me talk to anybody without monitoring the conversation. I don't think my mother knows about my dad's tendencies. I have no way to get anywhere safe or contact anyone for help. I am considering emancipation but not sure how to go through with it without my parents knowing. I have medical issues that are worsened when stressful situations arise and am worried about my safety. Please help.

[ccsmod15]

Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.

It sounds like due to your dad’s monitoring and abuse you are sometimes not feeling safe at home. We want you to know that your safety is our main priority and if you do not feel safe you always have the right to call 911. If you are in need of a safe place to go you can try www.nationalsafeplace.org and see if there is a Safe Place pickup location close to you.

It sounds like your mother also monitors you and may not know your dad has been abusive, or at least you have not talked about it with her. Talking to your mother about this could help to improve the situation. At NRS (1-800-786-2929), we offer conference calls between youth and their parents. This could be an opportunity for you to express to your mother what is making you feel unsafe and monitored.

You mentioned you are considering emancipation, and while we are not legal experts we can offer some general information on the emancipation laws in the state where you live if you call or chat us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or www.1800runaway.org.

Again, we’re glad you have chosen to reach out to us. We know it takes a lot to ask others for help. If you would like to talk further about your situation, please do not hesitate to call or chat with us. We’re here to listen, here to help.

Take care,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm writing for a friend. He just turned 17 last month, and his mom is emotionally abusive and has been physically abusive in his childhood. If he were to runaway and stay with me, what would happen to my parents if the police were called by his mom? He has severe depression, much of it caused by his mother. Is there any way to help him that does not depend on his moms response and actions? It's not a helpful thing to hear "hang in there for a year", so if that's your response then please don't bother because its insensitive to him and this whole situation. Thank you and sorry if this sounds aggressive.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It seems there is a lot that your friend is faced with right now and they're feeling like leaving is one of their only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by forum to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If they are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I have a teenager that runs away and has always had behavior problems. I have a brother who condones his behavior and always makes me look like the bad guy. I have other children and don’t want to get the police or social service involved. He’s the only one with behavior issues out of all 4 children. He will get in my face and has recently been physical with me and then ran away once again to my brothers house. My brother is a power trip person and has to always be in control, I guess of my home to. He is refusing to make my child return home. What can I do to get him back home. Do I have to get the police involved? It’s almost been two weeks.

[ccsmod6]

Thank you for reaching out to us! We are sorry to hear you are having so much trouble with one of your children. It can make it even harder when others in your orbit seem to undermine your attempts to set boundaries, rules and reasonable disciplinary measures. Besides talking to your brother and coming to an understanding or talking to the teen themselves there are usually few options outside the legal realm to make them come home.

A lot of them depend on the legal statutes of your state, which can vary depending on the age of the teen and at what age the state recognizes them as an adult. We are not legal experts and cannot offer legal advice, but you may find it helpful to reach out to a lawyer in your area, even if you do not wish to pursue legal actions, just to know what all your options are. Most states have programs titled MINS/CHINS, which requires legal involvement to set a series of consequences for children who have runaway or been in legal trouble multiple times.

We realize these options may not be the most desirable, but they may be something worth exploring so you can make the most informed decision. It is also important to know that if you do not report a youth running away that you could be liable for child neglect, even if it is the teen’s choice to leave. So reporting could protect you from such legal consequences. If you are interested in learning about emergency resources for the teen, you or the teen can reach out to us either via phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or via online chat at www.1800runaway.org. Hope you are able to find a good option for your whole family.

Best,

National Runaway Safeline