Adopting A Child: 'Once You Take The Plunge, It's Worth It'

DENVER (CBS4) - November is National Adoption Awareness Month and on Saturday five adoptive families from across Colorado were recognized at the Governor's Mansion.

Last year there were 829 adoptions in the state.

The Gonzales family from Commerce City adopted five siblings they had previously fostered. Heather and Ben Gonzales had no intention of adopting, but they say the children complete their family. Now they're encouraging other Coloradans to consider fostering and adopting the many children still hoping for a family.

"If you have any thoughts of adopting you should go out and look into it and do it. There's over 200 kids in Colorado alone waiting for homes and that doesn't include the ones …. that are in foster care," Heather Gonzales said.

"It's scary. It's definitely a scary thing, but once you take the plunge, it's worth it," Ben Gonzales said.

During National Adoption Month 95 adoptions will be finalized in Colorado. It's estimated 650 children will find forever homes this year.