Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostRebeka Romero cries as she gets hugs from her sons Joseph, 8, left, and Travis, 10 right, after their adoption was finalized in courtroom 2A at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Rebeka and her husband Travis have fostered Travis and Joseph and their younger sister Lilly, 4, hidden behind the three, for 22 months bringing them back together as a family unit. The Romeros have two other foster children they plan on adopting.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSiblings Joseph, 8, Travis, 10, and Lilly, 4, are all smiles after their adoptions were finalized by judge Melanie Gilbert in courtroom 2A at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. The biological siblings were adopted by Travis and Rebeka Romero who kept them together as a family unit when they took them on as foster children 22 months ago. The Romeros have two other foster children they plan on adopting.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostTravis Romero, 10, get a hugs and a kiss from his case worker Rachel Oster, after his adoption was finalized by judge Melanie Gilbert in courtroom 2A at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Travis, 10, and his biological siblings Joseph, 8, and Lily, 4, not shown, were adopted by Travis and Rebeka Romero who kept the three siblings together as a family unit when they took them on as foster children 22 months ago. The Romeros have two other foster children they plan on adopting.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMagistrate Melina Hernandez, right, shakes the little hand of 2 year old Micah Woods after his adoption was finalized in courtroom 2D at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Micah was adopted by Michelle Woods, holding him, who has 5 other children and has had Micah in her care for almost his entire life. Shown are her daughters from left to right in back Nine, 20, Monique, 27 and Cassia, 16.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMichelle Woods kisses her son Micah, 2, as his adoption is finalized in courtroom 2D by Magistrate Melina Hernandez, not shown, at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Micah was adopted by Michelle Woods, holding him, who has 5 other children and has had Micah in her care for almost his entire life. Shown are her daughters from left to right Amiah, 9, and Monique, 27, middle.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostVincent Montez kisses his daughter Auriah, 6, left, as her sister Arlene Montez, 9, sits close by as their adoptions to Montez are finalized by Judge Donna Schmalberger in courtroom 2E at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. The biological sisters were adopted by Vincent and Quentin Montez.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostShirley Gien, a Guardian ad litem (GAL), left, hugs Arlene Montez, 9, after her adoption was finalized by Judge Donna Schmalberger in courtroom 2E at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Montez was adopted with her biological sister Auriah, 6, by Vincent and Quentin Montez.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostLilly Romero, 4, left,and her brother Joseph, 8, right, get hugs from their adoptive grandparents Will and Lindy Claus before finalizing their adoptions at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. The two children and their older brother Travis, 10, not shown, were adopted by Travis and Rebeka Romero who kept the three siblings together as a family unit when they took them on as foster children 22 months ago. The Romeros have two other foster children they plan on adopting.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostRebeka Romero smiles as she speaks to Judge Melanie Gilbert during the process to finalize the adoption of her daughter Lilly, 4 and sons Travis, 10, and Joseph, 8 not shown, in courtroom 2A at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Rebeka and her husband Travis have fostered the three siblings for 22 months bringing them back together as a family unit. The Romeros have two other foster children they plan on adopting.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostTravis Romero, left, raises up his hand towards Judge Melanie Gilbert during the process to finalize the adoption of his sons Joseph, 8 middle, Travis, 10, right, and Lilly, 4, not shown in courtroom 2A at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Travis and his wife Rebeka have fostered the three siblings for 22 months bringing them back together as a family unit. The Romeros have two other foster children they plan on adopting.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
1 of 10
Rebeka Romero cries as she gets hugs from her sons Joseph, 8, left, and Travis, 10 right, after their adoption was finalized in courtroom 2A at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse at 520 West Colfax Ave on Nov. 16, 2017 in Denver. Rebeka and her husband Travis have fostered Travis and Joseph and their younger sister Lilly, 4, hidden behind the three, for 22 months bringing them back together as a family unit. The Romeros have two other foster children they plan on adopting.
Expand
By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
National Adoption Day is being celebrated in many of Colorado’s Judicial Districts throughout November, with judges and magistrates across Colorado finalizing the adoptions of 159 foster children into permanent families. Colorado is currently home to an additional 276 children waiting for permanent families.
Denver Juvenile Court Judges Donna Schmalberger and Laurie Clark joined Denver District Court Judge Jay Grant and Magistrates Howard Bartlett, Melanie Gilbert and Melina Hernandez to unite 44 children with 31 families. This is the thirteenth annual celebration of National Adoption Day in Denver.