Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.

In Colorado, foster care is managed by the Colorado Department of Human Services, specifically through its Division of Child Welfare. The system is designed to provide temporary care for children who are unable to live with their biological families due to safety concerns, abuse, neglect, or other issues. Children in foster care may be placed with relatives, known as kinship care, or with certified foster parents who are unrelated to them. The state also utilizes other placement options such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living for older youth. The goal of foster care in Colorado is to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children while working towards family reunification, adoption, or another permanent living situation. The state statutes governing foster care are found in Title 19 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in the foster care system, as well as the processes for certification of foster homes, oversight, and the provision of services to children in out-of-home care.