Children's Hospital Colorado

Spiritual Care at Children's Hospital Colorado

At Children's Hospital Colorado, our staff of chaplains are available for spiritual support. The spiritual care team is committed to meeting the needs of patients, families and staff.

We understand that your child's health involves more than medical treatment. That's why our chaplains are available to assist you in meeting your unique spiritual needs. We honor every person's journey and spiritual path and do not promote any specific beliefs.

How a chaplain can help

You can request a chaplain if you want someone to:

  • Offer spiritual and emotional support
  • Provide spiritual resources specific to your tradition, such as prayer, sacred texts, prayer rugs or connection with a local faith leader
  • Listen compassionately and attentively to what is most meaningful to you
  • Assist in processing feelings of anger, fear, hopelessness or despair
  • Be a calming presence before surgery or anytime during your stay
  • Care for your spirit during this time of physical healing
  • Consult on patient issues of ethical or religious significance
  • Help meet Halal or Kosher diet needs
  • Partner with other members of your mental, social and medical teams to address concerns and meet your needs
  • Offer grief support during hospitalization and connect you with bereavement services

How to reach a chaplain

To request a chaplain at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, ask your child's care team to contact the hospital chaplain. You can also contact the Spiritual Care Office at 720-777-6325 or via email at spiritualcare@childrenscolorado.org.

For urgent or emergent needs during evening or nighttime hours, ask your nurse to contact the 24/7 on-call chaplain.

To request a chaplain in the Colorado Springs region, call the Spiritual Care team at 719-305-6325 from 7:30 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. During evenings and weekends, call 719-305-1234 and ask to be connected to the operator. You may also email the Spiritual Care Office at COSspiritualcare@childrenscolorado.org. The Southern Colorado region includes Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado SpringsOutpatient Care at Briargate and Therapy Care on Telstar.

Chapels and Garden of Hope

Our chapel, located on the first floor of the hospital on Anschutz Medical Campus, is open 24 hours a day. The chapel offers a peaceful and comforting ambience and includes a labyrinth outlined on the floor for meditative walking and a prayer box for written prayers. We also offer a tranquil chapel at our Colorado Springs location.

The Garden of Hope is located outside in front of the hospital in Aurora, and features inspirational symbols, quotes and a labyrinth.

Labyrinths

Our labyrinths are located in the Colorado Children's Hospital chapel at Anschutz and in the Garden of Hope in Aurora. Both are accessible 24 hours a day. 

Walking a labyrinth can serve many purposes, including as a form of prayerful movement. This activity may provide calm in the midst of crisis, helping us see life as a journey. People report finding comfort and peace in the simplicity of this practice. Note: If you choose, you may carefully move chairs in the chapel to the side walls to accommodate your walk.