Courts may appoint Child and Family Investigators (CFIs) in cases involving parental responsibilities, including parenting time and decision-making. The court order appointing a CFI states the CFI’s duties, or the scope of the CFI appointment. The CFI’s role is to investigate, report and make recommendations to the court, as directed in the order of appointment, regarding the best interests of the children. The CFI usually prepares a written report for the court and may testify during court hearings. Effective January 1, 2016, the Office of the State Court Administrator oversees all CFIs.
| Filing a Complaint against a CFI |
If you believe a CFI has violated the Standards of Practice in Chief Justice Directive 04-08, you may click the button below to file a complaint. If your case is still pending, the investigation of your complaint will be deferred until your court case is resolved. The CFI complaint process will not result in changes to court orders. This complaint process does not apply to Parental Responsibility Evaluators, who are not regulated by the Office of the State Court Administrator. Complaints must be brought within one year after termination of the CFI appointment.
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Judicial District CFI Rosters
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Current Judicial District CFI Rosters
Click on the above link to access the list of potential CFIs for your court.
The Judicial Branch does not certify or endorse CFIs. Parties should independently investigate CFI qualifications and suitability. Those listed on District CFI Rosters submitted a CFI affidavit, attended a mandatory CFI training, and passed a background check, as determined by the Office of the State Court Administrator. Judicial districts determine final eligibility for appointment of CFIs. CFIs should have no expectation of appointment.
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| Becoming a CFI |
A CFI may be an attorney, mental health professional, or any other individual with appropriate training, qualifications, and an independent perspective acceptable to the court. Prospective CFIs should review Chief Justice Directives 04-08 and 04-05, as well as §14-10-116.5, C.R.S., to learn more about the CFI role and responsibilities. Links to these authorities appear below.
Step 1: Online CFI Affidavit.
CFI affidavits will be accepted August 1-31, 2021. During that time only, this web page will include a link to the online CFI affidavit. Prospective CFIs should apply early in the month to allow sufficient time to address any difficulties, technological or otherwise, they may experience completing the affidavit.
Before beginning the online CFI affidavit, click here for a summary of information the affidavit requires and tips for completing it.
If you do not wish to have your phone number and address publicly disclosed, you may wish to list an alternate phone number and post office box on the affidavit.
Step 2: Background Check. Following submission of a timely CFI affidavit, potential CFIs will receive an email with instructions for completing an online background check. Unless there are problems identified in the initial background screening, potential CFIs will then receive a fingerprint card and instructions in the mail for the next step in the background check process. Because of the highly sensitive nature of CFI work, in addition to the criminal background check, the background check process also includes consideration of:
• Civil protection or restraining orders against potential CFIs;
• Parenting time restrictions against potential CFIs;
• Dependency and neglect case history naming potential CFIs as Respondents; and
• Professional grievance and disciplinary history.
Step 3: CFI Training. Based on a review of CFI affidavits, background check results, and district need for CFIs, prospective CFIs may be offered attendance of the tuition-free mandatory Colorado Judicial Branch CFI training November 1-5, 2021 in Denver, CO. Only the Colorado Judicial Branch CFI training satisfies the mandatory training requirement. Additions to the Statewide CFI Eligibility Roster will occur on or about January 2, 2022 for those meeting the requirements for CFI eligibility. CFIs added to the Statewide CFI Eligibility Roster may then accept CFI appointments in districts naming them on District Rosters.
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
How many CFIs are on the Statewide Eligibility Roster? More than 200.
How many CFIs are listed on each District Roster? The number of CFIs on District Rosters ranges from 9 to more than 100.
What districts most need CFIs? Many rural districts have a CFI shortage.
What special skills are most needed? Few CFIs can communicate with families who speak languages other than English. This skill is helpful.
Will I receive enough appointments to do CFI work full time? Probably not. CFIs should have no expectation of appointment. Most CFIs desire more appointments than they receive and also work as mediators, lawyers, mental health practitioners, parenting coordinators, decision-makers, etc. Some CFIs do not receive any appointments
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| Renewal of CFI Eligibility |
CFIs whose listing will expire on July 1, 2022 must submit renewal affidavits from March 1 to March 31, 2022. A link to the renewal affidavit will be posted here at that time.
Renewing CFIs should apply early in the month to allow sufficient time to address any technological or other difficulties, including affidavit insufficiencies (such as missing proof of relevant continuing education, pursuant to Standard 6 of CJD 04-08). Otherwise, CFI eligibility will expire July 1, 2022 and the Statewide CFI Eligibility Roster will be updated accordingly.
CLICK HERE for renewal tips listing information needed to complete the renewal affidavit and tips to avoid error messages. Also, before beginning the renewal affidavit, please review Chief Justice Directives 04-08 and 04-05, as well as §14-10-116.5, C.R.S. Links to these documents appear below.
CFI renewal applicants will not undergo fingerprint-based background checks. Renewal applicants will receive an email, following submission of their renewal affidavit, with a link to the required ONLINE authorization for background check. The failure to complete the authorization for background check prior to the March 31, 2022 renewal deadline will result in denial of CFI eligibility.
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| Authorities |
Statute and Chief Justice Directives (CJDs):
§14-10-116.5, C.R.S. (governs the appointment of CFIs)
CLICK HERE to Search for a Chief Justice Directive:
CJD 04-08 (CFI appointment, practice standards and complaint procedures)
CJD 04-05 (state paid CFIs)
Policies and Practice Guidelines:
Policies Governing Standard 6 of CJD 04-08
Practice Guideline Standard 8 - Use of Support Staff
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| For More Information |
For questions about CFI appointments, please email Michelle Haynes at michelle.haynes@judicial.state.co.us.
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