COLORADO SAFE HAVEN FOR NEWBORNS
STORIES
Stories About Lives That Have Been Saved.
Halle’s Story
On the early evening of February 15, 2003, a knock was heard on the door of a Westminster Fire Department station. Standing outside were a couple who handed their baby girl to two firefighters before driving away.
In just a few days, the infant found a new home with foster parents John and Julie Burke. The Burkes named her Halle and, six months later, officially adopted her. Halle was one of the first babies to be surrendered under Colorado’s Safe Haven law.
Flash forward to 2024, Halle has become a bright, kind and well spoken young woman. She is now in college, passionately studying Photonics, a testament to the hope and opportunities provided by her family and Colorado’s Safe Haven law.
Halle is one of Colorado’s first Safe Haven babies. Watch the video below to view her heartwarming success story.
Ava’s Story
From Ava’s Adopted Dad
Amid our journey as foster parents, a pivotal call arrived just after we bid farewell to a foster child returning to their family. A baby girl, nicknamed “Doe,” entered Human Services custody under unique circumstances—she had been handed over at a fire department. Despite this unconventional start, we eagerly embraced her into our home.
After a two-year journey, we officially adopted our daughter, Ava. Our little superhero, blissfully unaware of her tumultuous start, became integral to our family. Eventually, we extended our arms to other siblings, including a half-sibling later adopted by close friends. Our challenges formed connections, leading to an extended family that defied traditional boundaries.
We later learned about the birth mother’s challenges, including events involving her other children. Despite personal struggles, her decision to give up her child proved to be a brave and commendable choice for the sake of the child’s safety.
Ava’s journey illuminated the profound impact of compassion and the enduring legacy of difficult choices made for a child’s safety.”
Firefighter’s Story
From Fort Collins Firefighter Tony
My name is Tony, and I am a firefighter at the Poudre Fire Authority in Fort Collins, Colorado. I would like to share my experience with the Colorado Safe Haven Law approximately twenty years ago.
I arrived for my shift at 7:20 a.m., just before our usual 8:00 a.m. start. We were a crew of 3 and had a Poudre Valley Hospital ambulance crew stationed there with a crew of 2. As I was going through the equipment on the engine a member of the ambulance crew came in and stated that there was a lady in our parking lot having a baby and she wanted to leave it here. We quickly responded with the ambulance to the parking lot, loaded the in-labor patient, and pulled back into our bay at station 2. I was the driver operator of the engine that day, and I assisted with comforting the patient while the paramedic and EMT delivered the baby. I do remember trying to gather information from the patient about her health, the baby’s health, etc., and she would not answer any questions. After she delivered the baby, she made a phone call to someone who quickly pulled onto our front pad to pick her up. The patient was still bleeding and needed some follow-up care, which she refused. She left the ambulance, got in the car, and was gone. Throughout the event, she was quiet and stoic.
The baby was evaluated by a second ambulance, which stood by in our day room and ultimately transported to the hospital. The baby was in good health.
Approximately eight years later, I was again assigned to station 2 when this baby (now 8) and the adoptive parents visited the station. It was fantastic to see how he was happy and healthy.
The Colorado Safe Haven for Newborn Story
During the summer of 2003, the Denver area witnessed the tragic discovery of three infants who had lost their lives. The lives of these babies could have been spared if their mothers were aware of the Safe Haven Law. Motivated by this heartbreaking incident, a group of compassionate individuals united to establish an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the Safe Haven Law. Their vision is to prevent infant deaths resulting from abandonment by ensuring that more people are informed about this vital option.
The Safe Haven Law has been in effect in Colorado since 2000.
Colorado has witnessed the safe surrender of 87 infants.
Go to the National Safe Haven Alliance website
to see the number of babies safely surrendered nationwide!
