What is the legal age a child can be left home alone in Colorado?

Answer 1

The age at which a child can be left at home alone is only legislated in two states, Maryland and Illinois. The legal check is whether or not the child is safe and has the ability to take care of themselves. Most authorities agree that leaving a 12 year old alone at home for an hour or two is acceptable, but they should not be responsible for other children. There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages mentioned in their laws. "The laws of Colorado do not set a specific age after which a child legally can stay home alone. Unfortunately, age is not a very good indicator of a child's maturity level. Some 15- year-olds may still not be ready. For example, it is inappropriate to leave a 15-year-old alone if the teen is chemically dependent, has emotional problems, or is prone to vandalism or other destructive or illegal acts. Colorado in general has accepted the age of 12 years as a guideline for when it might be appropriate for a child to be left alone for short periods of time." - Colorado Department of Human Services 12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Latchkey Kids Age Limits which provides a state by state comparison with references. One guideline from a California child welfare representative suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for a brief period of time (usually just after school).

Answer 2

There are two states that have set a minimum age of 13 (Maryland and Illinois). No other states have a law about what age someone has to be to be left alone. They are more concerned with the child's ability to take care of themself and has the means to do so. There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages mentioned in their laws.

12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits which provides a state by state comparison with references.

One guideline from a California child welfare representative suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for a brief period of time (usually just after school).

Answer 3

Legal AgeThere are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages specified in their laws.

Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits which provides one guideline from a California agency representative who suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work). This site also provides a state by state comparison with references.

Answer 4

According to my research, a child can be left alone at the age of 12 in Colorado for short periods of time. This is all based upon the Colorado Child Labor Law, which states that a child at age 12 can work or be employed. ( 12 years of age is the minimum)

I wouldn't recommend leaving your child alone at home because a lot of things can happen when adults aren't supervising them. Before leaving your child along, consider the facts about their maturity, their responsibleness, and how dire the situation is that you have to leave the child at home alone. Utilize all your options first before leaving your child at home. (Ask someone you fully trust: Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Sisters, Brothers, Parents, Friends or Neighbors to help watch them)

Answer 5

A child in Colorado must be at least 12 years old to be left home alone. A child of this age can also babysit other children and siblings.

Answer 6

I don't know Colorado specifically, but most states are pretty uniform on this point. The age is generally 12 years old to be left home for a full day.

Answer 7

I think that is more of a judgment call on your part, but over twelve I believe is a good guideline (if your child is mature)