Child abuse is generally the mistreatment of a child by a parent or caregiver—through actions or inactions—that causes injury, death, or emotional harm to the child—or that places the child at serious risk of such injury, death, or emotional harm. Mistreatment that constitutes child abuse may take many forms, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, failure to supervise, and exploitation. Child abuse laws vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s family code and criminal or penal code.

In Colorado, child abuse is defined and governed by both the Colorado Children's Code and the Colorado Criminal Code. The state recognizes various forms of mistreatment as child abuse, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and exploitation. Neglect refers to a caregiver's failure to provide for a child's basic needs, while physical abuse involves inflicting physical harm or injury. Sexual abuse includes any sexual act or exploitation, and emotional abuse refers to acts that result in psychological harm. Colorado law mandates that certain professionals, such as teachers and healthcare workers, must report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities. Failure to report can result in legal consequences. When abuse is reported, the Colorado Department of Human Services can intervene, and the case may be handled in civil, criminal, or juvenile courts, depending on the circumstances. Penalties for those found guilty of child abuse can range from mandatory treatment programs to imprisonment, reflecting the severity of the offense.