Colorado Becomes the First State to Limit Court Use of Family Reunification Camps

Colorado's new law prohibits family courts from ordering children to participate in reunification programs that isolate them from a trusted caregiver.

Many of these programs purport to offer treatments for parental alienation, a psychological disorder that has been rejected by mainstream scientific circles.

The new law also requires experts who advise the court on custody cases to have training in working with victims of domestic violence and child abuse.

The children ran away from their father’s house and reported that their father was verbally and physically aggressive toward them.

After they returned to Colorado, both children moved in with their father and the no-contact order with their mother began.

After 90 days, the court granted the father's request to extend the order.

The family was ordered to continue the treatment with an unlicensed psychotherapist.