The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado, Petitioner/Cross-Respondent IN the INTEREST OF Minor Children: K.C. and L.C. v. K.C. and L.C., Respondents/Cross-Petitioners and Concerning D.C. ( 2021 )

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<div class="ldml-decision"><div class="ldml-decision"><div href="/vid/891140064" data-vids="891140064" class="ldml-header header ldml-header content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Header"><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-cite"><b class="ldml-bold">487 P.3d 263</b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-party"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-name">The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado</span>, <span class="ldml-role">Petitioner</span>/<span class="ldml-role">Cross-Respondent</span></b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold">IN the INTEREST OF Minor <span class="ldml-party">Children: K.C. and L.C.</span>,</b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold">v.</b><span class="ldml-party"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-name">K.C. and L.C.</span>, <span class="ldml-role">Respondents</span>/<span class="ldml-role">Cross-Petitioners</span></b></span><b class="ldml-bold">and</b><span class="ldml-party"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-name">Concerning D.C.</span>, <span class="ldml-role">Respondent</span></b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold">Supreme Court <span class="ldml-cite">Case No. 20SC533</span> </b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-court">Supreme Court of Colorado</span>.</b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-date"><b class="ldml-bold">May 24, 2021</b></span></p></div><div class="ldml-counsel header ldml-header content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Counsel"><p data-paragraph-id="270" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-2"><span data-paragraph-id="270" data-sentence-id="270" class="ldml-sentence">Attorneys for <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-role">Petitioner</span></span>/<span class="ldml-role">Cross <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span></span>: <span class="ldml-entity">Logan County Attorney's Office</span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Alan W. Samber</span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">County Attorney</span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Kimberlee R. Keleher</span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Assistant County Attorney</span>, Sterling, Colorado</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="445" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-2"><span data-paragraph-id="445" data-sentence-id="445" class="ldml-sentence">Attorney for <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-role">Respondents</span></span>/<span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-role">Cross-Petitioners</span></span>: <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Josi McCauley</span></span>, <span class="ldml-role">Guardian ad litem</span>, Fort Collins, Colorado</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="545" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-2"><span data-paragraph-id="545" data-sentence-id="545" class="ldml-sentence">Attorneys for <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-role">Respondent</span></span>: <span class="ldml-lawfirm">Dodd Law, PC</span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Debra W. Dodd</span></span>, Berthoud, Colorado</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="618" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-2"><span data-paragraph-id="618" data-sentence-id="618" class="ldml-sentence">Attorneys for <span class="ldml-lawyerrole">Amicus Curiae</span> Chickasaw Nation: <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_618"><span class="ldml-cite">Indian Law</span></a></span> Clinic, <span class="ldml-entity">Michigan State University College of Law</span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Kathryn Fort</span></span>, East Lansing, Michigan, <span class="ldml-entity">Chickasaw Nation Legal Division</span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Debra Gee</span></span>, Ada, Oklahoma, <span class="ldml-lawfirm">Van Ness Feldman, LLP</span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Laura Jones</span></span>, Denver, Colorado</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="874" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-2"><span data-paragraph-id="874" data-sentence-id="874" class="ldml-sentence">Attorney for <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyerrole">Amicus Curiae</span> <span class="ldml-lawfirm">Office of Respondent Parents</span></span>' <span class="ldml-entity">Counsel</span>: <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-lawyer">Melanie Jordan</span></span>, Denver, Colorado</span></p></div><h2 class="ldml-opinionheading"><span data-paragraph-id="972" class="ldml-paragraph "><span class="ldml-judgepanel"><span data-paragraph-id="972" data-sentence-id="972" class="ldml-sentence">En Banc</span></span></span></h2><div class="ldml-opinion"><p data-paragraph-id="979" class="ldml-paragraph "><span class="ldml-opinionauthor content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Opinion (GABRIEL, BOATRIGHT)"><span data-paragraph-id="979" data-sentence-id="979" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">GABRIEL</span></span> <span class="ldml-opiniontype">delivered <span class="ldml-entity">the Opinion of <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span></span></span></span>.</span></span><span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_1030" data-val="266" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="1030" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="1030" data-sentence-id="1031" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1031"><span class="ldml-cite">¶1</span></a></span> This is a termination of parental rights proceeding involving two children who are eligible for enrollment as members of the Chickasaw Nation <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the Nation"</span>)</span> but who are not Indian children, as defined by the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1031"><span class="ldml-cite">Indian Child Welfare Act <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"ICWA"</span>)</span></span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945049549" data-vids="945049549" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1031"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1903<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2018</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1030" data-sentence-id="1305" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court of appeals</span> division below reversed <span class="ldml-entity">a district court</span> order terminating <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> D.C.'s <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-entity">mother</span>'s"</span>)</span> parental rights and ordered <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> on remand to conduct an enrollment hearing to determine whether the children's best interests mandate enrollment as citizens of the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1030" data-sentence-id="1599" class="ldml-sentence">The <span class="ldml-entity">Logan County Department of Human Services</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Department"</span>)</span> then petitioned for certiorari, the guardian ad litem <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"GAL"</span>)</span> cross-petitioned, and <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> granted those petitions.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="1775" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="1775" data-sentence-id="1775" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1775"><span class="ldml-cite">¶2</span></a></span> In their petitions, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> asked <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> to address whether <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1775"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> requires <span class="ldml-entity">a district court</span> to hold an enrollment hearing in circumstances like those present here as a prerequisite to the termination of parental rights; <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span> <span class="ldml-entity">a district court</span> can order the Department to enroll children over a parent's objection; and <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span> the division below erred in reversing <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span>'s judgment rather than ordering a limited remand.<a href="#note-fr1" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr1">1</a></span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="2208" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="2208" data-sentence-id="2208" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_2208"><span class="ldml-cite">¶3</span></a></span> All of <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> before <span class="ldml-entity">us</span>, and the Nation itself, agree that the division erred in requiring an enrollment hearing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2208" data-sentence-id="2330" class="ldml-sentence">Because <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> perceive no statutory basis for such a hearing, and because such a hearing conflicts with the Nation's exclusive right to determine who is an enrolled citizen, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> agree that the division erred in requiring such a hearing.<a href="#note-fr2" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr2">2</a></span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="2563" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="2563" data-sentence-id="2563" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_2563"><span class="ldml-cite">¶4</span></a></span> With respect to the second issue presented, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> note that neither parent objected to the children's enrollment.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2563" data-sentence-id="2677" class="ldml-sentence">Accordingly, the issue as presented in the petition for certiorari is not properly before <span class="ldml-entity">us</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2563" data-sentence-id="2771" class="ldml-sentence">In their briefs, however, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> appear to construe the question presented more broadly, namely, as asking <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> to decide whether the Department has an obligation to assist children who are eligible for enrollment in becoming enrolled citizens of a tribal nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2563" data-sentence-id="3038" class="ldml-sentence">Although the issue is an important one and may call for <span class="ldml-entity">legislative action</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> conclude that under current law, the Department has no such obligation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2563" data-sentence-id="3189" class="ldml-sentence">In certain circumstances, however, it might well be the better practice for the Department to advise on and perhaps assist with the enrollment process.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="3340" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="3340" data-sentence-id="3340" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3340"><span class="ldml-cite">¶5</span></a></span> For these reasons, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> reverse the judgment of the division below and need not reach the issue of whether a limited remand would have been appropriate.</span></p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-id="heading_3493" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-types="background" data-specifier="I" data-ordinal_start="1" data-content-heading-label="I. Facts and Procedural History" data-value="I. Facts and Procedural History" data-confidences="very_high" data-ordinal_end="1" data-parsed="true" id="heading_3493"><span data-paragraph-id="3493" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="3493" data-sentence-id="3493" class="ldml-sentence">I.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3493" data-sentence-id="3496" class="ldml-sentence">Facts and Procedural History</span></b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="3524" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="3524" data-sentence-id="3524" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3524"><span class="ldml-cite">¶6</span></a></span> Twins K.C. and L.C. <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"children"</span>)</span> were born about twelve weeks prematurely, and both tested positive for marijuana at birth.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3524" data-sentence-id="3655" class="ldml-sentence">Their premature birth necessitated a <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_3692" data-val="267" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span> prolonged stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, during which <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> visited them only twice.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="3789" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="3789" data-sentence-id="3789" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_3789"><span class="ldml-cite">¶7</span></a></span> While the children were still in the hospital, the Department filed a <span class="ldml-entity">motion for removal</span> from the home and for temporary protective custody.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3789" data-sentence-id="3933" class="ldml-sentence">In this motion, the Department asserted that allowing the children to continue to reside with <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> would endanger their lives or health.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3789" data-sentence-id="4072" class="ldml-sentence">The Department based this assertion on the children's positive drug tests, <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span>'s lack of stable housing or transportation, and her history of felony drug charges.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3789" data-sentence-id="4238" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The district court</span> granted the Department's motion.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="4289" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="4289" data-sentence-id="4289" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_4289"><span class="ldml-cite">¶8</span></a></span> Two days later, <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> submitted forms declaring that the children were not members of any Indian tribe, <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> were not believed to be eligible for membership in any tribe, and no biological member of the children's family has American Indian or Alaska Native heritage.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="4560" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="4560" data-sentence-id="4560" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_4560"><span class="ldml-cite">¶9</span></a></span> The Department subsequently sought to ascertain the identity of the children's <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>, who was not then known <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> reported that any one of three individuals could be <span class="ldml-entity">the father</span>)</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4560" data-sentence-id="4746" class="ldml-sentence">Ultimately, T.B. <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-entity">father</span>"</span>)</span> was identified as the children's <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="4814" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="4814" data-sentence-id="4814" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_4814"><span class="ldml-cite">¶10</span></a></span> In addition, the Department filed a dependency and neglect petition, and after the children were adjudicated dependent and neglected, treatment plans were adopted for both <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="5008" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="5008" data-sentence-id="5008" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5008"><span class="ldml-cite">¶11</span></a></span> As pertinent here, after <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> was identified, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> indicated that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had Chickasaw Native American heritage, although <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> himself was not a member of that Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5008" data-sentence-id="5174" class="ldml-sentence">Accordingly, pursuant to <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5174"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>, the Department sent notices to the Nation, seeking confirmation of the children's Indian status, and filed with <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> a notice of the Department's certified mailings and signed return receipts.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="5411" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="5411" data-sentence-id="5411" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5411"><span class="ldml-cite">¶12</span></a></span> The Nation subsequently responded in writing, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"At this time, the children do not qualify as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">‘Indian Children’</span> under <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5411"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>]</span>."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="5411" data-sentence-id="5540" class="ldml-sentence">The Nation added, however, that the children and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> were <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"eligible for citizenship"</span> through the lineage of the children's paternal grandfather, who was an enrolled citizen of the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5411" data-sentence-id="5731" class="ldml-sentence">The Nation thus observed, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Once either the biological <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> or the children are enrolled, the children will qualify as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">‘Indian Children.’</span> "</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="5411" data-sentence-id="5872" class="ldml-sentence">And the Nation stated, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Although the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_5872"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> does not yet apply in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> have a vested interest in the welfare of children who are eligible for citizenship with the Chickasaw Nation."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="5411" data-sentence-id="6061" class="ldml-sentence">The Nation therefore requested that the Department advise the children's parent or legal custodian to complete, on behalf of the children, enclosed applications for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood and for Chickasaw citizenship.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5411" data-sentence-id="6297" class="ldml-sentence">The Department, however, does not appear to have advised either <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> or <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> to complete these applications.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="6409" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="6409" data-sentence-id="6409" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_6409"><span class="ldml-cite">¶13</span></a></span> Five and a half months later, the Department filed a <span class="ldml-entity">motion to terminate</span> <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span>'s and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>'s parental rights.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6409" data-sentence-id="6525" class="ldml-sentence">In this motion, the Department asserted, among other things, that in addition to having <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"picked up 3 new felony charges out of Nebraska,"</span> <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> did not comply with her treatment plan, remained unemployed and without stable housing, did not complete <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>-ordered substance abuse or mental health treatment, and missed over 43% of her scheduled visits with the children.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6409" data-sentence-id="6900" class="ldml-sentence">In addition, the Department attached the Nation's above-referenced response indicating that neither the children nor <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> were citizens of the Nation but that the children were eligible for citizenship.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6409" data-sentence-id="7105" class="ldml-sentence">This apparently marked the first time that the Department had disclosed the Nation's letter to <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="7218" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="7218" data-sentence-id="7218" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_7218"><span class="ldml-cite">¶14</span></a></span> Several weeks after the Department filed its <span class="ldml-entity">motion to terminate</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> held a review hearing and advised <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span>'s attorney and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> did not appear)</span> of <span class="ldml-entity">respondent</span> parents' rights relating to a <span class="ldml-entity">motion to terminate</span> the parent-child legal relationship.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7218" data-sentence-id="7495" class="ldml-sentence">In connection with this advisement, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> stated that it was still operating under the assumption that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_7495"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> might apply in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>, but it also noted that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_7495"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> might not apply unless <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> took further action to enroll with the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7218" data-sentence-id="7738" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> then confirmed with <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had not chosen to enroll himself, and, after stating that <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> could not enroll the children for <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> asked <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> whether <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had taken any steps toward enrollment <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_7965" data-val="268" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span> or otherwise changed the children's status for <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_7738"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> purposes.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7218" data-sentence-id="8028" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Father</span> replied, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"No, I haven't."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="7218" data-sentence-id="8061" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> ended the hearing by reiterating that if the matter proceeded to termination, then <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> might find that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8061"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> was inapplicable based on <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>'s having taken no action to enroll with the Nation.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="8269" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="8269" data-sentence-id="8269" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8269"><span class="ldml-cite">¶15</span></a></span> The matter then proceeded to a termination hearing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8269" data-sentence-id="8325" class="ldml-sentence">At this hearing, <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> confessed the <span class="ldml-entity">motion to terminate</span>, and <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> again confirmed with <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had not taken steps to enroll—and that it was his desire not to enroll—himself in the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8269" data-sentence-id="8528" class="ldml-sentence">In addition, the Department stated on the record that <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> had indicated that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> did not complete the paperwork that the Nation had provided to enroll the children and that <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"it didn't sound like <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had any desire to do so."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="8269" data-sentence-id="8754" class="ldml-sentence">And <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> verified with <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> had not enrolled the children with the Nation and that <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> herself had no Indian heritage.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="8888" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="8888" data-sentence-id="8888" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8888"><span class="ldml-cite">¶16</span></a></span> After hearing all of the evidence, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> entered an order terminating <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span>'s and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>'s parental rights.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8888" data-sentence-id="9005" class="ldml-sentence">With respect to <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9005"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> expressly found that <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span> it had inquired of both parents regarding <span class="ldml-entity">the statute</span>; <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span> the Department had made diligent efforts to determine if the children were Indian children; and <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span> based on the Nation's response to the Department's inquiries and <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity">father</span>'s decision</span> not to enroll in the Nation, the children were not Indian children and thus <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9005"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> did not apply.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8888" data-sentence-id="9400" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> then noted that although it had made the requisite findings supporting termination by clear and convincing evidence, as required by state law, had <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> been asked to do so, it <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"could easily <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[have found]</span> that the allegations in the <span class="ldml-entity">Motion to Terminate</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[had]</span> been proven beyond a reasonable doubt,"</span> as <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9400"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> would have required if it applied.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="9754" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="9754" data-sentence-id="9754" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9754"><span class="ldml-cite">¶17</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">Mother</span> appealed, arguing, among other things, that the judgment terminating her parental rights should be vacated because the Department had not taken steps to assist in enrolling the children in the Nation, as the Nation had requested.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="9754" data-sentence-id="9995" class="ldml-sentence">This, <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> argued, ran afoul of the Department's statutory obligation to make reasonable efforts to reunite the family and further violated the Department's duty to secure <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9995"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> protections when <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> were available.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="10211" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="10211" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_10211"><span class="ldml-cite">¶18</span></a></span> In a unanimous, published opinion, the division vacated the judgment terminating <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span>'s parental rights and remanded <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span> for further proceedings.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="10368" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestofkc,2020coa86" data-prop-ids="sentence_10368"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of K.C.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">2020 COA 86</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_10368"><span class="ldml-cite">¶¶ 10</span></a></span></span>, 36, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:–––p3d––––" data-prop-ids="sentence_10368"><span class="ldml-cite">––– P.3d ––––</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="10435" class="ldml-sentence">Specifically, relying on different reasoning from that on which <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> had relied, the division concluded that in dependency and neglect proceedings, when an Indian nation communicates to the county department of human services the nation's desire to obtain membership for enrollment-eligible children, the department must, at the earliest possible time, deposit the nation's response with <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="10836" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:–––p3d––––" data-prop-ids="sentence_10435"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">at ¶ 10</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="10849" class="ldml-sentence">The division continued that <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> must then conduct an enrollment hearing to determine whether it is in the children's best interests to be enrolled as citizens of the requesting nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="11040" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:–––p3d––––" data-prop-ids="sentence_10849"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="11044" class="ldml-sentence">The division explained that at this hearing, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"must hear and consider the positions of the parents, as well as the department and the guardian ad litem <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(GAL)</span>, all of whom have standing ... to speak to the merits of the tribe's enrollment request."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="11301" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:–––p3d––––" data-prop-ids="sentence_11044"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">at ¶ 24</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10211" data-sentence-id="11314" class="ldml-sentence">The division did not indicate that the Nation should also be heard.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="11381" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="11381" data-sentence-id="11381" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11381"><span class="ldml-cite">¶19</span></a></span> The Department petitioned <span class="ldml-entity">this court</span> for certiorari, the GAL cross-petitioned, and <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> granted both petitions.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-id="heading_11494" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-types="analysis" data-specifier="II" data-ordinal_start="2" data-content-heading-label="II. Analysis" data-value="II. Analysis" data-confidences="very_high" data-ordinal_end="2" data-parsed="true" id="heading_11494"><span data-paragraph-id="11494" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="11494" data-sentence-id="11494" class="ldml-sentence">II.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11494" data-sentence-id="11498" class="ldml-sentence">Analysis</span></b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="11506" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="11506" data-sentence-id="11506" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11506"><span class="ldml-cite">¶20</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> begin by setting forth our standard of review and the applicable principles of statutory construction.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11506" data-sentence-id="11616" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> then provide an overview of <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11616"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> and address whether <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11616"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> requires <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> to conduct an enrollment hearing to determine whether enrollment as citizens of the Nation is in the children's best interest, as a prerequisite to terminating parental rights.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11506" data-sentence-id="11882" class="ldml-sentence">Concluding that such a hearing is not required, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> proceed to address whether the Department had an obligation to assist with the enrollment of the children.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11506" data-sentence-id="12040" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> conclude that it did not.</span></p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-id="heading_12068" data-content-heading-label="A. Standard of Review and Principles of Statutory Interpretation" data-specifier="A" data-ordinal_start="1" data-format="upper_case_letters" data-value="A. Standard of Review and Principles of Statutory Interpretation" data-ordinal_end="1" data-parsed="true" id="heading_12068"><span data-paragraph-id="12068" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="12068" data-sentence-id="12068" class="ldml-sentence">A.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12068" data-sentence-id="12071" class="ldml-sentence">Standard of Review and Principles of Statutory Interpretation</span></b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="12132" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12132" data-sentence-id="12133" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12133"><span class="ldml-cite">¶21</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> review questions of statutory interpretation de novo.</span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_12194" data-val="269" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="12194" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12194" data-sentence-id="12195" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestoflm,2018co34,416p3d875"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of L.M.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">2018 CO 34</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 13</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:416p3d875,879"><span class="ldml-cite">416 P.3d 875, 879</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12194" data-sentence-id="12260" class="ldml-sentence">In construing <span class="ldml-entity">a statute</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> consider the entire <span class="ldml-entity">statutory scheme</span> in order to give consistent, harmonious, and sensible effect to all of its parts, and <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> interpret words and phrases in accordance with their plain and ordinary meanings.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12194" data-sentence-id="12496" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:416p3d875,879" data-prop-ids="sentence_12260"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="12194" data-sentence-id="12500" class="ldml-sentence">In addition, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> strive to avoid statutory constructions that either render words or provisions superfluous or ineffective or that lead to absurd results.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12194" data-sentence-id="12654" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:416p3d875,879" data-prop-ids="sentence_12500"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="12657" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="12657" data-sentence-id="12658" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12658"><span class="ldml-cite">¶22</span></a></span> In matters involving <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12658"><span class="ldml-cite">Indian law</span></a></span>, however, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> have observed that the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"standard principles of statutory construction do not have their usual force."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="12657" data-sentence-id="12809" class="ldml-sentence"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/892427569" data-vids="892427569" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12658"><span class="ldml-refname">B.H. v.</span></a></span> </i><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/892427569" data-vids="892427569" class="ldml-reference"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of X.H.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">138 P.3d 299, 302</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo.</span> <span class="ldml-date">2006</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12657" data-sentence-id="12877" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[T]</span>he canons of construction applicable in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12877"><span class="ldml-cite">Indian law</span></a></span> are rooted in the unique trust relationship between the United States and the Indians."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="12657" data-sentence-id="13020" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/885437539" data-vids="885437539" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12877"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Montana v. Blackfeet Tribe of Indians</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">471 U.S. 759, 766</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">105 S.Ct. 2399</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">85 L.Ed.2d 753</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">1985</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-cert">quoting</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/892719797" data-vids="892719797" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_12877"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Cnty. of Oneida v. Oneida Indian Nation</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">470 U.S. 226, 247</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">105 S.Ct. 1245</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">84 L.Ed.2d 169</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">1985</span>)</span></a></span> )</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12657" data-sentence-id="13226" class="ldml-sentence">Thus, in matters of <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13226"><span class="ldml-cite">Indian law</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-entity">statutes</span> are to be construed liberally in favor of the Indians, with ambiguous provisions interpreted to their benefit."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="12657" data-sentence-id="13380" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/885437539" data-vids="885437539" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13226"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span></p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-id="heading_13383" data-content-heading-label="B. Enrollment Hearing" data-specifier="B" data-ordinal_start="2" data-format="upper_case_letters" data-value="B. Enrollment Hearing" data-ordinal_end="2" data-parsed="true" id="heading_13383"><span data-paragraph-id="13383" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="13383" data-sentence-id="13383" class="ldml-sentence">B.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13383" data-sentence-id="13386" class="ldml-sentence">Enrollment Hearing</span></b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="13404" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="13404" data-sentence-id="13404" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13404"><span class="ldml-cite">¶23</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">Congress</span> adopted <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13404"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> in response to rising concerns <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"over the consequences to Indian children, Indian families, and Indian tribes of abusive child welfare practices that resulted in the separation of large numbers of Indian children from their families and tribes through adoption or foster care placement, usually in non-Indian homes."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="13404" data-sentence-id="13746" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/889762214" data-vids="889762214" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13404"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Miss. Band of Choctaw Indians v. Holyfield</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">490 U.S. 30, 32</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">109 S.Ct. 1597</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">104 L.Ed.2d 29</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">1989</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13404" data-sentence-id="13846" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Congress</span> found <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"that an alarmingly high percentage of Indian families <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[were]</span> broken up by the removal, often unwarranted, of their children from them by nontribal public and private agencies and that an alarmingly high percentage of such children <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[were]</span> placed in non-Indian foster and adoptive homes and institutions."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="13404" data-sentence-id="14166" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943600514" data-vids="943600514" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_13846"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2018</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13404" data-sentence-id="14194" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14194"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> addresses these concerns by establishing <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of such children in foster or adoptive homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian culture, and by providing for assistance to Indian tribes in the operation of child and family service programs."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="13404" data-sentence-id="14546" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944730779" data-vids="944730779" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14194"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1902</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2018</span>)</span></a></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="14570" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="14570" data-sentence-id="14571" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14571"><span class="ldml-cite">¶24</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14571"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> applies to various child custody proceedings involving Indian children, including, as pertinent here, proceedings relating to the termination of parental rights.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14570" data-sentence-id="14742" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945049549" data-vids="945049549" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14571"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. §§ 1903<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span>, <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span></span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">,</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943899537" data-vids="943899537" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14571"><span class="ldml-cite">1911</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">,</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944947487" data-vids="944947487" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14571"><span class="ldml-cite">1912 <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2018</span>)</span></span></a></span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14570" data-sentence-id="14792" class="ldml-sentence">For purposes of <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14792"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child"</span> is defined as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"any unmarried person who is under age eighteen and is either <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span> a member of an Indian tribe or <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span> is eligible for membership in an Indian tribe and is the biological child of a member of an Indian tribe."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="14570" data-sentence-id="15051" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945049549" data-vids="945049549" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_14792"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1903<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14570" data-sentence-id="15072" class="ldml-sentence">Eligibility alone, therefore, does not render a child an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child"</span> under <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15072"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="14570" data-sentence-id="15156" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945049549" data-vids="945049549" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15072"><span class="ldml-cite">id.</span></a></span></i></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="15163" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="15163" data-sentence-id="15164" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15164"><span class="ldml-cite">¶25</span></a></span> When <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15164"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> applies, it imposes specific requirements on child custody proceedings in a <span class="ldml-entity">state court</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15163" data-sentence-id="15267" class="ldml-sentence">For example, in any involuntary proceeding in a <span class="ldml-entity">state court</span>, when <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> knows or has reason to know that an Indian child is involved,"</span> <span class="ldml-entity">the party</span> seeking to place the Indian child in foster care or to terminate parental rights <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"shall notify the parent or Indian custodian and the Indian child's tribe, by registered mail with return receipt requested, of the pending proceedings and of their right of intervention."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="15163" data-sentence-id="15687" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944947487" data-vids="944947487" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15267"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1912<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15163" data-sentence-id="15708" class="ldml-sentence">In addition, in any <span class="ldml-entity">state court</span> proceeding seeking the foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an Indian child not domiciled or residing within the tribe's reservation, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>, absent good cause, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"shall transfer such proceeding to the jurisdiction of the tribe, absent objection by either parent, upon the petition of either parent or the Indian custodian or the Indian child's tribe."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="15163" data-sentence-id="16121" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943899537" data-vids="943899537" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15708"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1911<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15163" data-sentence-id="16142" class="ldml-sentence">And in a <span class="ldml-entity">state court</span> proceeding for the foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an Indian child, the child's Indian custodian and the Indian child's tribe <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"shall have a right to intervene at any point in the proceeding."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="15163" data-sentence-id="16387" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943899537" data-vids="943899537" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16142"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1911<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="16407" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="16407" data-sentence-id="16407" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16407"><span class="ldml-cite">¶26</span></a></span> In addition to the foregoing, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16407"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> provides that <span class="ldml-entity">the party</span> seeking to effect a foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an Indian child under <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_16576" data-val="270" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span> state law <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"shall satisfy <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> that active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="16407" data-sentence-id="16807" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944947487" data-vids="944947487" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16407"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1912<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16407" data-sentence-id="16828" class="ldml-sentence">Moreover, prior to the entry of an order terminating the parental rights of an Indian child, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> must hear the testimony of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"qualified expert witnesses"</span> and make <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"a determination, supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt"</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(as opposed to the clear and convincing evidence standard used in non-<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16828"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">state court</span> termination proceedings)</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"that the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="16407" data-sentence-id="17326" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944947487" data-vids="944947487" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16828"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1912<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(f)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16407" data-sentence-id="17347" class="ldml-sentence">And last, if <span class="ldml-entity">a court</span> removes an Indian child from the custody of a parent or Indian custodian, or if <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> terminates parental rights under state law, then the affected child, parent, Indian custodian, or nation <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"may petition any <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> of competent jurisdiction to invalidate such action upon a showing that such action violated any provision of <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943899537" data-vids="943899537" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17347"><span class="ldml-cite">sections 1911</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">,</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944947487" data-vids="944947487" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17347"><span class="ldml-cite">1912</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943547213" data-vids="943547213" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17347"><span class="ldml-cite">1913</span></a></span></span></span> of <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17347"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>]</span>."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="16407" data-sentence-id="17739" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944582492" data-vids="944582492" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17347"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1914</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2018</span>)</span></a></span>.</span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="17764" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="17764" data-sentence-id="17764" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17764"><span class="ldml-cite">¶27</span></a></span> Our General Assembly has incorporated each of these requirements into Colorado statutory law, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-1-126, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2020</span>)</span></a></span>, and has also expressly adopted <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17764"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>'s definition of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child,"</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-1-103<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(65.3)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2020</span>)</span></a></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="17989" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="17989" data-sentence-id="17990" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17990"><span class="ldml-cite">¶28</span></a></span> Notably, tribal citizenship is not defined by <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17990"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="17989" data-sentence-id="18046" class="ldml-sentence">Rather, citizenship for purposes of <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_18046"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> is left exclusively to the control of each individual nation.</span> <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span data-paragraph-id="17989" data-sentence-id="18149" class="ldml-sentence"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/895404173" data-vids="895404173" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_18246"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">436 U.S. 49, 72 n.32</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">98 S.Ct. 1670</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">56 L.Ed.2d 106</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">1978</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"A tribe's right to define its own membership for tribal purposes has long been recognized as central to its existence as an independent political community."</span></span>)</span></span><span data-paragraph-id="17989" data-sentence-id="18405" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/885813700" data-vids="885813700" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_18461"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Williams v. Gover</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">490 F.3d 785, 789</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">9th Cir.</span> <span class="ldml-date">2007</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"An Indian tribe has the power to define membership as it chooses, subject to the plenary power of <span class="ldml-entity">Congress</span>."</span></span>)</span></span><span data-paragraph-id="17989" data-sentence-id="18571" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/892427569" data-vids="892427569" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_18596"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">B.H.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">138 P.3d at 303</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"Membership for purposes of <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>]</span> is ... left to the control of each individual tribe."</span></span>)</span></span><span data-paragraph-id="17989" data-sentence-id="18685" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="regulation:/us/regulations/25/23/108_b" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_18717"><span class="ldml-cite">25 C.F.R. § 23.108<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2021</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"The determination by a Tribe of whether a child is a member, whether a child is eligible for membership, or whether a biological parent is a member, is solely within the jurisdiction and authority of the Tribe, except as otherwise provided by Federal or Tribal law.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">The <span class="ldml-entity">State court</span> may not substitute its own determination regarding a child's membership in a Tribe, a child's eligibility for membership in a Tribe, or a parent's membership in a Tribe."</span></span>)</span></span></span><span data-paragraph-id="17989" data-sentence-id="19171" class="ldml-sentence">.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="19172" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="19172" data-sentence-id="19173" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19173"><span class="ldml-cite">¶29</span></a></span> If a <span class="ldml-entity">state court</span> determines, based on feedback from the relevant nation or other information that a child is not an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child"</span> under <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19173"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>, then <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> may proceed under its usual standards.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="19172" data-sentence-id="19374" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19173"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Indian Child Welfare Act Proceedings</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">81 Fed. Reg. 38,778, 38,806</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">June 14, 2016</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19173"><span class="ldml-cite">Bureau of Indian Affs., <i class="ldml-italics">Guidelines for Implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act</i></span></a></span></span> 12 <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-entity">Dec. 2016</span>)</span>, https://perma.cc/3TCH-8HQM <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">("<i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-entity">2016</span> Guidelines</i> ")</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal">see also</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:inremg,2020coa66"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">In re M.G.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">2020 COA 66</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">¶¶ 8-11</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:inrethepetitionofmgno19ca0806465p3d120april9,2020" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_19666"><span class="ldml-cite">465 P.3d 120, 121</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">concluding that <span class="ldml-entity">the juvenile court</span> did not need to apply the standards required by <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> because the child was not an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child"</span> as defined by <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span></span>)</span></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="19818" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="19818" data-sentence-id="19819" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19819"><span class="ldml-cite">¶30</span></a></span> As the foregoing principles make clear, nothing in <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19819"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">or under Colorado's implementing <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span></span>)</span></span> provides for the type of best interests enrollment hearing that the division below mandated.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="19818" data-sentence-id="20015" class="ldml-sentence">To the contrary, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20015"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> simply does not apply when the children before <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> are not Indian children, as defined by that <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="20146" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="20146" data-sentence-id="20147" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20147"><span class="ldml-cite">¶31</span></a></span> Here, it is undisputed that the children are not <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian children."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="20146" data-sentence-id="20219" class="ldml-sentence">Specifically, as noted above, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20219"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> defines an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child"</span> as any unmarried person under the age of eighteen who is either <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span> a member of an Indian tribe or <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span> is eligible for membership in an Indian tribe <i class="ldml-italics">and</i> is the biological child of a member of an Indian tribe."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="20146" data-sentence-id="20491" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945049549" data-vids="945049549" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20219"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1903<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-referencenote">emphasis added</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">accord</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20219"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-1-103<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(65.3)</span></span></a></span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20146" data-sentence-id="20554" class="ldml-sentence">In <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>, the children are not citizens of the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20146" data-sentence-id="20613" class="ldml-sentence">And although <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> are eligible for citizenship, <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> do not satisfy the second criterion set forth in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20613"><span class="ldml-cite">subsection <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span> of <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945049549" data-vids="945049549" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20613"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. section 1903<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span></span></a></span> because <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> are not the biological children of a citizen of the Nation, given <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity">father</span>'s decision</span> not to enroll himself therein.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20146" data-sentence-id="20887" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </i> <i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:inremg,2020coa66" data-prop-ids="sentence_20613"><span class="ldml-refname">M.G.</span></a></span>,</i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_20613"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 9</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:inrethepetitionofmgno19ca0806465p3d120april9,2020" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_20920"><span class="ldml-cite">465 P.3d at 121</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">concluding that a child did not <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_20952" data-val="271" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span> meet <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>'s definition of an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child"</span> because the child was not a member of the nation at issue and although the child was eligible to enroll, her <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> was not a member of the nation but rather was also merely eligible for enrollment</span>)</span></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="21196" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="21196" data-sentence-id="21197" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21197"><span class="ldml-cite">¶32</span></a></span> Accordingly, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21197"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> does not apply here, and <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> perceive no basis to engraft onto that <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> a requirement for an enrollment hearing for children who are definitively not Indian children under <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21197"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="21399" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="21399" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21399"><span class="ldml-cite">¶33</span></a></span> Indeed, the enrollment hearing ordered by the division below appears to conflict with the Nation's exclusive right to decide matters of tribal citizenship.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="21559" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/895404173" data-vids="895404173" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21399"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Santa Clara Pueblo</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">436 U.S. at 72 n.32</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">98 S.Ct. 1670</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/892427569" data-vids="892427569" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21399"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">B.H.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">138 P.3d at 303</span></a></span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="21644" class="ldml-sentence">Specifically, as the division envisioned it, <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> would conduct an enrollment hearing to decide whether it is in the children's best interests to be enrolled in the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="21831" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21644"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">K.C.,</i> ¶ 32</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="21843" class="ldml-sentence">If <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> decides that it is, then <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> would direct the Department to work diligently with the Nation and to assist with the submission of any application materials necessary for the children's enrollment, after which <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> would enter a legal determination that the children met <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21843"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>'s definition of Indian children.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="22174" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21843"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="22178" class="ldml-sentence">But <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> would do all of this without any apparent involvement of the Nation in the enrollment hearing, contrary to the Nation's exclusive right to decide questions of tribal citizenship.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21399" data-sentence-id="22371" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_22178"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">id.</i></span></a></span></span> <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_22389"><span class="ldml-cite">at ¶ 24</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence"><span class="ldml-relatingauthority">noting</span> who is to participate in the enrollment hearing but not including the Nation</span>)</span></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="22474" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="22474" data-sentence-id="22474" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_22474"><span class="ldml-cite">¶34</span></a></span> Such a procedure would also contravene <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_22474"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>'s stated purpose of rectifying the states' past failures <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"to recognize the essential tribal relations of Indian <span class="ldml-entity">people</span> and the cultural and social standards prevailing in Indian communities and families."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="22474" data-sentence-id="22727" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943600514" data-vids="943600514" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_22474"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(5)</span></span></a></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="22747" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="22747" data-sentence-id="22748" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_22748"><span class="ldml-cite">¶35</span></a></span> As a result, although <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> acknowledge and understand the division's effort to implement what it reasonably perceived as the policy objectives of <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_22748"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>, in our view, establishing a requirement for an enrollment hearing is a matter better left to <span class="ldml-entity">Congress</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="22747" data-sentence-id="23005" class="ldml-sentence">Accordingly, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> conclude that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_23005"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> does not require <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> to hold a tribal enrollment hearing to determine whether it is in the children's best interest to enroll in the Nation, as a prerequisite to terminating parental rights.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="23245" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="23245" data-sentence-id="23245" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_23245"><span class="ldml-cite">¶36</span></a></span> In so concluding, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> are not persuaded by <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span>'s and the GAL's argument that, although an enrollment hearing is unwarranted, a remand is nonetheless necessary because the Department did not follow the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_23245"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> notice procedures described above.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23245" data-sentence-id="23492" class="ldml-sentence">As an initial matter, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> note that <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> did not grant certiorari on the question of whether the notices that the Department provided in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span> complied with <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_23492"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23245" data-sentence-id="23656" class="ldml-sentence">In any event, the record before <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> demonstrates that <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> did.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23245" data-sentence-id="23719" class="ldml-sentence">Indeed, in its amicus brief, the Nation concedes this point: <span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"In <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>, notice is not at issue.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">To the contrary, the Department did satisfy the notice requirement by contacting the Nation."</span></span></span></p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-id="heading_23912" data-content-heading-label="C. The Department's Obligations" data-specifier="C" data-ordinal_start="3" data-format="upper_case_letters" data-value="C. The Department's Obligations" data-ordinal_end="3" data-parsed="true" id="heading_23912"><span data-paragraph-id="23912" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="23912" data-sentence-id="23912" class="ldml-sentence">C.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23912" data-sentence-id="23915" class="ldml-sentence">The Department's Obligations</span></b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="23943" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="23943" data-sentence-id="23944" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_23944"><span class="ldml-cite">¶37</span></a></span> The Department next asks <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> to consider whether <span class="ldml-entity">a district court</span> can order the Department to enroll children in a tribal nation over a parent's objection.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23943" data-sentence-id="24103" class="ldml-sentence">As an initial matter, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> note that neither parent objected to the children's enrollment in the Nation here.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23943" data-sentence-id="24211" class="ldml-sentence">Thus, the issue as presented in the Department's petition for certiorari is not properly before <span class="ldml-entity">us</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="24310" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="24310" data-sentence-id="24311" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_24311"><span class="ldml-cite">¶38</span></a></span> This does not end our analysis, however, because, despite the framing of the question on which <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> granted certiorari review, <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> have addressed at length the broader question of whether the Department has an obligation, in any case, to assist in the enrollment of eligible children.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="24310" data-sentence-id="24606" class="ldml-sentence">Because this question would be significant in any matter to which <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_24606"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> applies and that involves an enrollment-eligible child, and because this question was fully briefed and argued before <span class="ldml-entity">us</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> will proceed to address it.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="24829" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="24829" data-sentence-id="24830" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_24830"><span class="ldml-cite">¶39</span></a></span> Both federal and state law provide for the Department's obligations in <span class="ldml-entity">cases</span> like that before <span class="ldml-entity">us</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="24829" data-sentence-id="24932" class="ldml-sentence">In our view, however, neither federal nor state law imposes on the Department any obligation to assist in enrolling eligible children in a tribal nation.<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_25085" data-val="272" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="25085" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="25085" data-sentence-id="25086" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25086"><span class="ldml-cite">¶40</span></a></span> As noted above, under federal law, any <span class="ldml-entity">party</span> seeking, among other things, to terminate the parental rights of an <i class="ldml-italics">Indian child</i> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"shall satisfy <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> that active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="25085" data-sentence-id="25436" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/944947487" data-vids="944947487" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25086"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1912<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="25456" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="25456" data-sentence-id="25456" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25456"><span class="ldml-cite">¶41</span></a></span> The applicable federal regulations define <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"active efforts"</span> as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"affirmative, active, thorough, and timely efforts intended primarily to maintain or reunite an <i class="ldml-italics">Indian child</i> with his or her family."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="25456" data-sentence-id="25656" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945186136" data-vids="945186136" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25456"><span class="ldml-cite">25 C.F.R. § 23.2</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2021</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-referencenote">emphasis added</span>)</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="25456" data-sentence-id="25698" class="ldml-sentence">These efforts <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"must involve assisting the parent or parents or Indian custodian through the steps of <span class="ldml-entity">a case</span> plan and with accessing or developing the resources necessary to satisfy <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span> plan."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="25456" data-sentence-id="25895" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945186136" data-vids="945186136" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25698"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="25898" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="25898" data-sentence-id="25898" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25898"><span class="ldml-cite">¶42</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945186136" data-vids="945186136" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25898"><span class="ldml-cite">Section 23.2</span></a></span> of the applicable federal regulations further provides that <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"active efforts"</span> may include, for example:</span></p><div class="ldml-embeddeddocument"><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_26017" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="26017" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span> Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the circumstances of the Indian child's family, with a focus on safe reunification as the most desirable goal;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_26172" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="26172" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span> Identifying appropriate services and helping the parents to overcome barriers, including actively assisting the parents in obtaining such services;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_26323" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="26323" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span> Identifying, notifying, and inviting representatives of the Indian child's Tribe to participate in providing support and services to the Indian child's family and in family team meetings, permanency planning, and resolution of placement issues;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_26571" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="26571" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span> Conducting or causing to be conducted a diligent search for the Indian child's extended family members, and contacting and consulting with extended family members to provide family structure and support for the Indian child and the Indian child's parents;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_26830" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="26830" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(5)</span> Offering and employing all available and culturally appropriate family preservation strategies and facilitating the use of remedial and rehabilitative services provided by the child's Tribe;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_27024" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="27024" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(6)</span> Taking steps to keep siblings together whenever possible;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_27085" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="27085" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(7)</span> Supporting regular visits with parents or Indian custodians in the most natural setting possible as well as trial home visits of the Indian child during any period of removal, consistent with the need to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the child;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_27345" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="27345" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(8)</span> Identifying community resources including housing, financial, transportation, mental health, substance abuse, and peer support services and actively assisting the Indian child's parents or, when appropriate, the child's family, in utilizing and accessing those resources;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_27620" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="27620" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(9)</span> Monitoring progress and participation in services;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_27674" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="27674" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(10)</span> Considering alternative ways to address the needs of the Indian child's parents and, where appropriate, the family, if the optimum services do not exist or are not available;</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_27853" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="27853" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(11)</span> Providing post-reunification services and monitoring.</span></blockquote><p data-paragraph-id="27911" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="27911" data-sentence-id="27911" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span></p></div><p data-paragraph-id="27914" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="27914" data-sentence-id="27915" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_27915"><span class="ldml-cite">¶43</span></a></span> Here, as discussed above, the children are not Indian children.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="27914" data-sentence-id="27983" class="ldml-sentence">Accordingly, it does not appear that the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"active efforts"</span> obligation applies.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="27914" data-sentence-id="28061" class="ldml-sentence">Indeed, this is fully consistent with the <i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-entity">2016</span> Guidelines</i> noted above, which state that once <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> determines that the child involved is not an Indian child, <span class="ldml-entity">the state</span> may proceed under its usual standards.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="27914" data-sentence-id="28272" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </i><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_28061"><span class="ldml-refname"><i class="ldml-italics">2016 Guidelines</i></span> , <span class="ldml-cite">at 12</span></a></span></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="28300" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="28300" data-sentence-id="28300" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_28300"><span class="ldml-cite">¶44</span></a></span> Even if the children could be deemed Indian children, however, the regulations do not include enrollment assistance as part of the required active efforts.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="28300" data-sentence-id="28460" class="ldml-sentence">To the contrary, the Bureau of Indian Affairs expressly rejected a proposal that the regulations regarding <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"active efforts"</span> be amended to include a requirement that the Department assist a child in applying for tribal citizenship.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="28300" data-sentence-id="28691" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_28718,sentence_28460"><span class="ldml-cite">81 Fed. Reg.</span> <span class="ldml-cite">at 38,815</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">(<span class="ldml-relatingauthority">Rejecting</span> a proposal to include efforts to apply for tribal membership for a child as an example of active efforts, the Bureau of Indian Affairs stated, </span><span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"The rule does not include a requirement to conduct active efforts to apply for Tribal citizenship for the child.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Act</span> requires active efforts to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs to prevent the <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_29090" data-val="273" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span> breakup of the Indian family.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">This does not clearly encompass active efforts to obtain Tribal citizenship for the child."</span></span>)</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="28300" data-sentence-id="29215" class="ldml-sentence">And as <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945186136" data-vids="945186136" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_29215"><span class="ldml-cite">title 25, section 23.2 of the Code of Federal Regulations</span></a></span> makes clear, the primary goal of the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"active efforts"</span> requirement concerns the family unit and strives to provide services that will permit children to stay or be reunited with their family, rather than the enrollment of a child in a tribal nation.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="29528" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="29528" data-sentence-id="29528" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_29528"><span class="ldml-cite">¶45</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> likewise see nothing in Colorado state law that imposes on the Department an obligation to assist in tribal enrollment.</span></p><div class="ldml-embeddeddocument"><p data-paragraph-id="29654" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="29654" data-sentence-id="29654" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_29654"><span class="ldml-cite">¶46</span></a></span> Under <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_29654"><span class="ldml-cite">section 19-1-126<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(I)</span></span></a></span>, in all child custody proceedings filed pursuant to the Children's Code, <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"shall make inquiries to determine whether the child who is the subject of the proceeding is an Indian child."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="29654" data-sentence-id="29893" class="ldml-sentence">If, after conducting these inquiries, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> has <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reason to know that a child is an Indian child,"</span> then the Code triggers certain notice and filing obligations related to a nation's rights.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="29654" data-sentence-id="30086" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_29893"><span class="ldml-cite">§§ 19-1-126<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(II)</span>, <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span>, <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(c)</span></span></a></span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="29654" data-sentence-id="30123" class="ldml-sentence">If, in contrast, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"there is reason to know the child is an Indian child but <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> does not have sufficient evidence to determine that the child is or is not an Indian child,"</span> then <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> shall confirm that the Department</span></p><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_30349" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="30349" class="ldml-sentence">used due diligence to identify and work with all of the tribes of which there is reason to know the child may be a member, or eligible for membership, to verify whether the child is in fact a member, or a biological parent is a member and the child is eligible for membership.</span></blockquote></div><p data-paragraph-id="30625" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="30625" data-sentence-id="30626" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-1-126<span class="ldml-headnoteanchor"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span></span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="30625" data-sentence-id="30644" class="ldml-sentence">And the Code provides that <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> shall <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[t]</span>reat the child as an Indian child, unless and until it is determined on the record that the child does not meet the definition of an Indian child."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="30625" data-sentence-id="30839" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_30644"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-1-126<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="30856" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="30856" data-sentence-id="30857" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_30857"><span class="ldml-cite">¶47</span></a></span> Here, the Department made the required inquiries, and after the Nation's response to those inquiries was filed with <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> and <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> made repeated inquiries of <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> determined on the record that the children were <i class="ldml-italics">not</i> Indian children, as defined by <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_30857"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="30856" data-sentence-id="31146" class="ldml-sentence">The Department thus satisfied its obligations under state law to determine the children's Indian status.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="31250" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="31250" data-sentence-id="31251" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_31251"><span class="ldml-cite">¶48</span></a></span> Nor did the Department's obligation to exercise <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> on behalf of the family require the Department to assist <span class="ldml-entity">mother</span> and <span class="ldml-entity">father</span> in enrolling the children in the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="31250" data-sentence-id="31440" class="ldml-sentence">In any termination of parental rights proceeding, the Department must make <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> to <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"prevent the placement of abused and neglected children out of the home and to reunify the family whenever appropriate."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="31250" data-sentence-id="31660" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_31440"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-100.5<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2020</span>)</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">see also</span> </i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestofaa,2020coa154" data-prop-ids="sentence_31440"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of A.A.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">2020 COA 154</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_31440"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 30</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:intheinterestofaaandea,childrenno19ca0328479p3d57november5,2020" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_31767"><span class="ldml-cite">479 P.3d 57, 63</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">concluding that <span class="ldml-entity">the juvenile court</span> erred in terminating <span class="ldml-entity">a mother</span>'s parental rights because the record did not support a determination that the Department had made reasonable efforts to reunite <span class="ldml-entity">the mother</span> with her children</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">cf.</span> </i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/893290333" data-vids="893290333" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_32103"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Watley v. Dep't of Child. & Fams.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">No. 3:13-cv-1858<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(RNC)</span></span>, <span class="ldml-cite">2019 WL 7067043, at *2</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">D. Conn.</span> <span class="ldml-date">Dec. 23, 2019</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[T]</span>he reasonable efforts requirement in state law aligns with federal law, which prohibits a state from seeking to terminate parental rights without first making reasonable efforts to preserve the family ...."</span></span>)</span></span></span><span data-paragraph-id="31250" data-sentence-id="32314" class="ldml-sentence">.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="32315" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="32315" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_32315"><span class="ldml-cite">¶49</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Reasonable efforts"</span> are defined as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the exercise of diligence and care throughout the <span class="ldml-entity">state of Colorado</span> for children who are in out-of-home placement, or are at imminent risk of out-of-home placement,"</span> with the child's health and safety being the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"paramount concern."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="32588" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_32315"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-1-103<span class="ldml-headnoteanchor"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(89)</span></span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="32604" class="ldml-sentence">Toward that end, services that are provided in accordance with <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_32604"><span class="ldml-cite">section 19-3-208</span></a></span>, C.R.S. <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-entity">2020</span>)</span>, are deemed to satisfy the reasonable efforts standard.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="32755" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_32604"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-1-103<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(89)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="32771" class="ldml-sentence">These services include, among others, screening, assessment, counseling, information and referral, visitation, and placement services.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="32906" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_32771"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-208<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="32924" class="ldml-sentence">Such services are designed to <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span> promote the health, safety, and well-being of children eligible for such services; <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span> reduce the risk of future maltreatment of children who have previously been abused or neglected; <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span> avoid the unnecessary placement of children into foster care; <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span> facilitate the speedy reunification of parents and their children, if appropriate; <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(5)</span> ensure that the placement of a child is neither delayed nor denied due to the child's race, color, or national origin; and <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(6)</span> promote the best interests of the child.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="32315" data-sentence-id="33467" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_32924"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-208<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_33484" data-val="274" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="33484" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="33484" data-sentence-id="33485" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_33485"><span class="ldml-cite">¶50</span></a></span> Notably, as with the federal <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"active efforts"</span> requirement discussed above, nowhere do <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_33485"><span class="ldml-cite">sections 19-1-103<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(89)</span></span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">,</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_33485"><span class="ldml-cite">19-3-100.5<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span></span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">,</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_33485"><span class="ldml-cite">19-3-208</span></a></span></span>, or any other pertinent Colorado <span class="ldml-entity">statute</span> require that the Department enroll or assist in the enrollment of an eligible child in a nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="33484" data-sentence-id="33760" class="ldml-sentence">Moreover, the record reflects that the Department here made the requisite reasonable efforts to rehabilitate this family.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="33881" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="33881" data-sentence-id="33881" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_33881"><span class="ldml-cite">¶51</span></a></span> For these reasons, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> cannot say that either federal or state law mandates that the Department assist eligible children to enroll in a nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="33881" data-sentence-id="34028" class="ldml-sentence">Again, if either <span class="ldml-entity">Congress</span> or the General Assembly intended otherwise, then it is in the best position to impose such a requirement.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="34159" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="34159" data-sentence-id="34160" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_34160"><span class="ldml-cite">¶52</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> are not persuaded otherwise by <span class="ldml-entity">Congress</span>'s general findings in <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/943600514" data-vids="943600514" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_34160"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. section 1901<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span></span></a></span> that <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the United States has a direct interest, as <span class="ldml-entity">trustee</span>, in protecting Indian children who are members of or are eligible for membership in an Indian tribe."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="34159" data-sentence-id="34415" class="ldml-sentence">Although <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> acknowledge this general statement of policy, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> are bound to follow the specific mandates contained in <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_34415"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="34159" data-sentence-id="34537" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> further note that <span class="ldml-entity">Congress</span>'s finding related to children who <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"are eligible for membership in an Indian tribe"</span> is limited to <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian children,"</span> the definition of which, as discussed above, requires not only eligibility for citizenship in a nation but also that a biological parent be a citizen as well.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="34841" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="34841" data-sentence-id="34842" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_34842"><span class="ldml-cite">¶53</span></a></span> Accordingly, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> conclude that the Department is under no legal obligation to enroll <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(or to assist in enrolling)</span> an eligible child in a nation prior to the termination of parental rights.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="34841" data-sentence-id="35033" class="ldml-sentence">That said, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> hasten to add that <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> in no way intend to foreclose a human services department from providing such assistance or from advising <span class="ldml-entity">respondent</span> parents as to the ramifications <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(and potential benefits)</span> of their children's enrollment in a tribal nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="34841" data-sentence-id="35294" class="ldml-sentence">Indeed, in a given case, it might well be the best practice to do so.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="34841" data-sentence-id="35364" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> </i><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_35392,sentence_35294"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">2016 Guidelines</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">at 22</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"It is thus a recommended practice for the social worker <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(or <span class="ldml-entity">party</span> seeking placement in a voluntary adoption)</span> to facilitate the child becoming a member, such as by assisting with the filing of a Tribal membership application or otherwise."</span></span>)</span></span></span><span data-paragraph-id="34841" data-sentence-id="35632" class="ldml-sentence">.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="35633" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="35633" data-sentence-id="35633" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_35633"><span class="ldml-cite">¶54</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">We</span> need not attempt to elucidate here, however, what might be best practices in a given case.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="35633" data-sentence-id="35731" class="ldml-sentence">For present purposes, it suffices for <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> to note that nothing in this opinion should be read to prohibit the Department from, as appropriate, assisting <span class="ldml-entity">respondent</span> parents in enrolling their eligible children in a tribal nation.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="35958" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="35958" data-sentence-id="35958" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_35958"><span class="ldml-cite">¶55</span></a></span> In light of our foregoing disposition, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> need not consider whether the division should have ordered a limited remand in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>.</span></p></div></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-id="heading_36093" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-types="conclusion" data-specifier="III" data-ordinal_start="3" data-content-heading-label="III. Conclusion" data-value="III. Conclusion" data-confidences="very_high" data-ordinal_end="3" data-parsed="true" id="heading_36093"><span data-paragraph-id="36093" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="36093" data-sentence-id="36093" class="ldml-sentence">III.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="36093" data-sentence-id="36098" class="ldml-sentence">Conclusion</span></b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="36108" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="36108" data-sentence-id="36109" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_36109"><span class="ldml-cite">¶56</span></a></span> For these reasons, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> conclude that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_36109"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> does not require <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> to hold a tribal enrollment hearing to determine whether it is in the children's best interest to become Indian children, as a prerequisite to the termination of parental rights.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="36108" data-sentence-id="36369" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> further conclude that neither federal nor Colorado law obligates the Department to assist with or facilitate the children's enrollment in a tribal nation, although in a given case, it might be the better practice for the Department to do so.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="36613" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="36613" data-sentence-id="36613" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_36613"><span class="ldml-cite">¶57</span></a></span> Accordingly, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> reverse the judgment of the division below and reinstate the judgment of <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> terminating the parent-child legal relationships.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="36774" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-4"><span class="ldml-opinionauthor"><span data-paragraph-id="36774" data-sentence-id="36774" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">CHIEF JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">BOATRIGHT</span></span> concurs</span>.</span></span></p></div></div><div class="ldml-opinion"><p data-paragraph-id="36806" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-4"><span class="ldml-opinionauthor content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Concurring Opinion (BOATRIGHT)"><span data-paragraph-id="36806" data-sentence-id="36806" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">CHIEF JUSTICE <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">BOATRIGHT</span></span>, <span class="ldml-opiniontype">concurring</span></span>.</span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="36842" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="36842" data-sentence-id="36842" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_36842"><span class="ldml-cite">¶58</span></a></span> Today, the majority holds that <span class="ldml-entity">the court of appeals</span> erred by requiring <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> to hold an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"enrollment hearing"</span> in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="36842" data-sentence-id="36982" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_36842"><span class="ldml-cite">Maj. op. ¶ 32</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="36842" data-sentence-id="36997" class="ldml-sentence">I agree.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="36842" data-sentence-id="37006" class="ldml-sentence">The majority also states that departments of human services are not under any obligation to assist parents of an <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_37006"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>-eligible child in enrolling their child in the specific tribe involved, but recognizes that in certain <span class="ldml-entity">cases</span>, it might be a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"best practice"</span> to do so.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="36842" data-sentence-id="37274" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_37274"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span> at <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_37274"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 53</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="36842" data-sentence-id="37287" class="ldml-sentence">But, in my view, it is more than a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"best practice."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="36842" data-sentence-id="37339" class="ldml-sentence">Therefore, I write separately because I believe that, in order to satisfy <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts,"</span> the department of human services must educate an <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_37339"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>-eligible child's parents on the advantages of enrollment in the specific tribe involved and then assist the <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_37597" data-val="275" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span> parents in enrolling the child in the tribe if that is what the parents decide is in the child's best interest.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="37709" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="37709" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_37709"><span class="ldml-cite">¶59</span></a></span> The Children's Code requires that <span class="ldml-entity">the state</span> make <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> to promote the reunification of families and that each county or city and county serve children's best interests through these reasonable efforts.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="37930" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">§§ 19-3-100.5, -208</span></a></span>, C.R.S. <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-entity">2020</span>)</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="37966" class="ldml-sentence">Enrollment in an Indian tribe may present myriad opportunities for an eligible child.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="38052" class="ldml-sentence">Of course, Indian tribes are not homogenous.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="38097" class="ldml-sentence">Rather, <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> are <span class="ldml-quotation quote">" <span class="ldml-quotation quote">‘distinct, independent political communities, retaining their original natural rights’</span> in matters of local self-government."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="38241" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/895404173" data-vids="895404173" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_38097"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">436 U.S. 49, 55</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">98 S.Ct. 1670</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">56 L.Ed.2d 106</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">1978</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-cert">quoting</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:worcestervstateofgeorgia,1833,6pet515,atpage535,31us515,atpage535,8led483" data-prop-ids="sentence_38097"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">Worcester v. Georgia</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">31 U.S. 515, 559</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">6 Pet. 515</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">8 L.Ed. 483</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">1832</span>)</span></a></span> )</span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="38410" class="ldml-sentence">Each has its own interests and resources.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="38452" class="ldml-sentence">Accordingly, the advantages of enrollment in one tribe differ from the advantages of enrollment in another tribe.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="37709" data-sentence-id="38566" class="ldml-sentence">Most <span class="ldml-entity">people</span> are unfamiliar with these advantages.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="38615" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="38615" data-sentence-id="38615" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_38615"><span class="ldml-cite">¶60</span></a></span> Here, K.C. and L.C. were eligible for enrollment in the Chickasaw Nation <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Nation"</span>)</span> through their <span class="ldml-entity">father</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="38615" data-sentence-id="38725" class="ldml-sentence">At the termination of parental rights hearing, <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> inquired of both parents whether <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> had taken steps to enroll the children, and both parents indicated that <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> had not.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="38615" data-sentence-id="38915" class="ldml-sentence">Notably, neither parent argued at that time that the <span class="ldml-entity">Logan County Department of Human Services</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Department"</span>)</span> had failed to satisfy <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> by not assisting them in enrolling K.C. and L.C.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="39116" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="39116" data-sentence-id="39116" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_39116"><span class="ldml-cite">¶61</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity">The mother</span> later appealed <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span>'s termination judgment, arguing that the Department had failed to make <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> by not assisting her in enrolling K.C. and L.C. in the Nation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39116" data-sentence-id="39320" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">She</span> contended that, because assistance with enrollment would facilitate the speedy reunification of parents and children, such assistance was required under <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_39320"><span class="ldml-cite">sections 19-1-103<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(89)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_39320"><span class="ldml-cite">19-3-208</span></a></span></span></span>, C.R.S. <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-entity">2020</span>)</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39116" data-sentence-id="39528" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court of appeals</span> did not address whether the Children's Code alone imposed such a duty on the Department.<a href="#note-fr_1" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr_1">1</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="39116" data-sentence-id="39638" class="ldml-sentence">Instead, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> vacated the judgment and remanded <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39116" data-sentence-id="39701" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestofkc,2020coa86" data-prop-ids="sentence_39638"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of K.C.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">2020 COA 86</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_39638"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 10</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:–––p3d––––"><span class="ldml-cite">––– P.3d ––––</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39116" data-sentence-id="39763" class="ldml-sentence">It concluded that the Department should have notified <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> of the Nation's response to the Department's notice of K.C.'s and L.C.'s eligibility and <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> should have, in turn, held an enrollment hearing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39116" data-sentence-id="39985" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:–––p3d––––" data-prop-ids="sentence_39763"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="39988" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="39988" data-sentence-id="39988" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_39988"><span class="ldml-cite">¶62</span></a></span> The majority holds that <span class="ldml-entity">the court of appeals</span> erred by mandating an enrollment hearing, and I agree.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39988" data-sentence-id="40092" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_39988"><span class="ldml-cite">Maj. op. ¶ 35</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39988" data-sentence-id="40107" class="ldml-sentence">The majority further opines, however, that educating the parents on the advantages of enrollment in a tribe is sometimes a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"best practice."</span><a href="#note-fr_2" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr_2">2</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="39988" data-sentence-id="40247" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_40107"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">at ¶ 53</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39988" data-sentence-id="40260" class="ldml-sentence">In my opinion, it is more than that.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39988" data-sentence-id="40297" class="ldml-sentence">I believe that where a child is eligible for enrollment in an Indian tribe, the department of human services, in order to satisfy <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts,"</span> <i class="ldml-italics">must</i> educate the child's parents on the advantages of enrollment in the specific tribe involved and then assist the parents in enrolling the child in the tribe if that is what the parents decide is in the child's best interest.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="39988" data-sentence-id="40677" class="ldml-sentence">Providing this education and assistance falls under <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> because if parents are unfamiliar with the tribe and the potential services that it can provide, then the parents cannot make an informed decision about enrolling their children.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="40928" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="40928" data-sentence-id="40928" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_40928"><span class="ldml-cite">¶63</span></a></span> Colorado recognizes that federal law <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"requires that each state make a commitment to make <span class="ldml-quotation quote">‘reasonable efforts’</span> to prevent the placement of abused and neglected children out of the home and to reunify the family whenever appropriate."</span></span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-id="pagenumber_41165" data-val="276" data-vol="487" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-rep="P.3d"></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="41165" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="41165" data-sentence-id="41166" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-100.5<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(1)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="41165" data-sentence-id="41183" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The state</span> makes <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> when each county <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"provides services in accordance with <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_41183"><span class="ldml-cite">section 19-3-208</span></a></span>."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="41165" data-sentence-id="41294" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_41183"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-100.5<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(5)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="41165" data-sentence-id="41311" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_41311"><span class="ldml-cite">Section 19-3-208</span></a></span>, in turn, requires that the services <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"be designed to ... <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[p]</span>romote the immediate health, safety, and well-being"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"best interests of the child."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="41165" data-sentence-id="41476" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_41311"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-208<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(I)</span>, <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(VI)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="41165" data-sentence-id="41503" class="ldml-sentence">Indeed, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">" <span class="ldml-quotation quote">‘<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[r]</span>easonable efforts’</span> means the exercise of diligence and care for children who are placed out of the home, but the primary considerations in a termination proceeding are the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the children."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="41165" data-sentence-id="41760" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestoftd,140p3d205,210-13coloapp2006" data-prop-ids="sentence_41503"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of T.D.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">140 P.3d 205, 218-19</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo. App.</span> <span class="ldml-date">2006</span>)</span></a></span>, <i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-cert">abrogated on other grounds by</span> </i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestofajl,243p3d244,249-50,253colo2010" data-prop-ids="sentence_41503"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of A.J.L.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">243 P.3d 244</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo.</span> <span class="ldml-date">2010</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">see</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_41503"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-604<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span>, C.R.S.</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2020</span>)</span></a></span></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="41950" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="41950" data-sentence-id="41950" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_41950"><span class="ldml-cite">¶64</span></a></span> The services required by <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts"</span> will necessarily depend on the circumstances surrounding the dependency and neglect case and must be tailored <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"as determined necessary and appropriate."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="41950" data-sentence-id="42153" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_41950"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-208<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="41950" data-sentence-id="42171" class="ldml-sentence">Aware of the fact-specific nature of these duties, <span class="ldml-entity">the legislature</span> requires that each county provide and implement <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"individual case plans."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="41950" data-sentence-id="42311" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_42171"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-208<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(I)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="41950" data-sentence-id="42332" class="ldml-sentence">Each county must also provide, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"as determined necessary and appropriate,"</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_42332"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-208<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[i]</span>nformation and referral services to available public and private assistance resources,"</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_42332"><span class="ldml-cite">§ 19-3-208<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(2)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(III)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="41950" data-sentence-id="42539" class="ldml-sentence">When a child is identified as eligible for enrollment in a tribe, requiring a department to educate parents on the advantages of enrollment and assist the parents in enrolling the child if the parents determine that enrollment is in the child's best interest, in my view, should be part of the individual case plan tailored to the specific child's needs.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="41950" data-sentence-id="42894" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-signal">See, e.g.</span>, </i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestofsmama,172p3d958,963-64coloapp2007" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_42980,sentence_42539"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of S.M.A.M.A.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">172 P.3d 958, 963-64</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Colo. App.</span> <span class="ldml-date">2007</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">discussing treatment plans possibly including home-based counseling and referrals to public and private assistance resources when necessary</span>)</span></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="43121" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="43121" data-sentence-id="43121" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_43121"><span class="ldml-cite">¶65</span></a></span> Here, the Nation was identified and had verified that the children were eligible for enrollment.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="43121" data-sentence-id="43222" class="ldml-sentence">All that needed to be done was to have one of the parents fill out an application.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="43121" data-sentence-id="43305" class="ldml-sentence">Under such facts, educating the parents and assisting them with enrollment is—at the very least—reasonable.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="43121" data-sentence-id="43413" class="ldml-sentence">This is especially clear when one considers the significant public policy interests implicated by a child becoming an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child"</span> under <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_43413"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> and the fact that different tribes offer their members vastly different benefits, services, and opportunities.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="43667" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="43667" data-sentence-id="43667" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_43667"><span class="ldml-cite">¶66</span></a></span> In <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>, nothing in the record indicates that K.C. and L.C.'s parents were educated on the advantages that citizenship in the Nation might have offered their children.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="43667" data-sentence-id="43844" class="ldml-sentence">This is especially unfortunate because, had <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> been so educated, their decision to pursue enrollment for K.C. and L.C. might have been different.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="43667" data-sentence-id="43992" class="ldml-sentence">Nevertheless, neither parent argued at the termination hearing that the Department had failed to satisfy <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="43667" data-sentence-id="44119" class="ldml-sentence">Both, in fact, acknowledged their decision not to enroll K.C. and L.C. when asked by <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="43667" data-sentence-id="44215" class="ldml-sentence">Under <span class="ldml-entity">these facts</span>, I agree with the majority's judgment reinstating the termination judgment.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="44308" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="44308" data-sentence-id="44308" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_44308"><span class="ldml-cite">¶67</span></a></span> Still, in my view, the obligation to educate parents of <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_44308"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span>-eligible children on the advantages of enrollment in a specific tribe and to then assist the parents in enrolling the children if the parents decide to pursue enrollment goes beyond a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"best practice."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="44308" data-sentence-id="44574" class="ldml-sentence">To so educate and then assist should be recognized as an obligation under <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"reasonable efforts."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="44308" data-sentence-id="44670" class="ldml-sentence">Accordingly, I concur.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-notes content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Footnotes"><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="44692" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr1" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr1">1</a> <span data-paragraph-id="44692" data-sentence-id="44693" class="ldml-sentence">Specifically, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> granted certiorari to review the following issues:</span></p><div class="ldml-embeddeddocument"><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_44760" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="44760" class="ldml-sentence">1.</span> <span data-sentence-id="44763" class="ldml-sentence">Whether the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_44763"><span class="ldml-cite">Indian Child Welfare Act <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"ICWA"</span>)</span></span></a></span> requires <span class="ldml-entity">the trial court</span> to hold a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"tribal enrollment hearing"</span> to determine whether it is in the children's best interest to become Indian Children as a pre-requisite to termination of parental rights.</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_45010" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="45010" class="ldml-sentence">2.</span> <span data-sentence-id="45013" class="ldml-sentence">Whether <span class="ldml-entity">the trial court</span> can order the Department to enroll children in an Indian tribe over a parent's objection during a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"tribal enrollment hearing."</span></span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_45163" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="45163" class="ldml-sentence">3.</span> <span data-sentence-id="45166" class="ldml-sentence">Whether <span class="ldml-entity">the Court of Appeals</span>, in departing from decisions of other divisions, erred in reversing the judgment of <span class="ldml-entity">the trial court</span> rather than limitedly remanding the proceedings for further determinations.</span></blockquote></div></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="45370" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr2" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr2">2</a> <span data-paragraph-id="45370" data-sentence-id="45371" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">We</span> note that the terms <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"citizen"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"member"</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(and likewise <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"citizenship"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"membership"</span>)</span>, as well as the terms <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"nation"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"tribe,"</span> are used interchangeably throughout our <span class="ldml-entity">case law</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="45370" data-sentence-id="45557" class="ldml-sentence">Because the Chickasaw Nation uses the terms <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"nation"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"citizen,"</span> <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> also strive do so.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="45370" data-sentence-id="45647" class="ldml-sentence">In doing so, <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> further note that the use of <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"tribe"</span> and <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"member"</span> in the applicable statutory language is synonymous with the Nation's preferred nomenclature.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="45805" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr_1" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr_1">1</a> <span data-paragraph-id="45805" data-sentence-id="45806" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court of appeals</span> did state that if the Department had notified <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> of the Nation's response, then that notification would have <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"satisfied any <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_45806"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> notice responsibilities it has under <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_45806"><span class="ldml-cite">sections 19-1-103<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(89)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_45806"><span class="ldml-cite">19-3-208</span></a></span></span></span>."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="45805" data-sentence-id="46046" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:peopleininterestofkc,2020coa86" data-prop-ids="sentence_45806"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">People in Interest of K.C.</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">2020 COA 86</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_45806"><span class="ldml-cite">¶ 11</span></a></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-refglobal="case:–––p3d––––"><span class="ldml-cite">––– P.3d ––––</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="45805" data-sentence-id="46108" class="ldml-sentence">As the majority correctly holds, though, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_46108"><span class="ldml-cite">ICWA</span></a></span> does not apply in <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span> because K.C. and L.C. are not yet <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Indian child<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[ren]</span>"</span> under <span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/945049549" data-vids="945049549" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_46108"><span class="ldml-cite">25 U.S.C. § 1903<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(4)</span></span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="45805" data-sentence-id="46263" class="ldml-sentence">Maj. op. <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_46263"><span class="ldml-cite">¶¶ 31-32</span></a></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="46281" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr_2" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr_2">2</a> <span data-paragraph-id="46281" data-sentence-id="46282" class="ldml-sentence">As the majority points out, the issue on which <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> granted certiorari actually asked <span class="ldml-entity">us</span> to decide whether <span class="ldml-entity">the district court</span> could require the Department to enroll the children over a parent's objection.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="46281" data-sentence-id="46485" class="ldml-sentence"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i> maj. <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">op. ¶¶ 4, 37</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="46281" data-sentence-id="46508" class="ldml-sentence">As neither parent objected to enrollment, that issue is not properly before <span class="ldml-entity">us</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="46281" data-sentence-id="46588" class="ldml-sentence">I take this opportunity, like the majority, to address the broader issue briefed by <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span>: whether the department had any obligation to assist the parents in enrollment.</span></p></div></div></div></div>
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