A Fort Collins birth center that advertises locations in the city has been cited by state regulators and is the subject of criminal charges following an investigation into a newborn's death in February 2026, authorities confirmed.
Fort Collins Police told Denver7 that officers responded to a 911 call for a distressed newborn at Tender Gifts Birth & Wellness Center in February. The department confirmed the infant died. Investigators later identified a similar incident in 2025 and uncovered evidence they said showed forgery and tampering during their review.
State inspections and multiple complaints
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said it received three complaints between February and March 2026 related to the Fort Collins facility and conducted an inspection in early March. The department cited the birth center for deficiencies it described as significant to patient safety, including a "lack of patient assessment and monitoring during labor and insufficient quality review of this incident to prevent recurrence," according to a CDPHE spokesperson.
CDPHE also noted that it regulates facilities such as birth centers but does not license or discipline the individual providers who work there. That responsibility, the department said, lies with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), which confirmed to Denver7 that it has active investigations involving the "direct entry midwives involved."
"Health facility complaints give us the information we often need to investigate facility wrongdoing, enforce compliance, and hold facilities accountable for quality care across Colorado,"
The statement from CDPHE accompanying a public notice included directions for how members of the public can submit complaints related to health facilities.
Criminal inquiry and local consequences
Fort Collins Police investigators discovered alleged evidence of forgery and tampering while examining the incidents, and criminal charges have been filed against the owner and a midwife tied to the Fort Collins birth center, according to reporting from Denver7. The agencies involved have not released further details about the specific charges or any scheduled court dates.
Online, Tender Gifts markets itself as operating in Fort Collins, Grand Junction and Delta. The Fort Collins location's role in this investigation has raised concerns among expectant parents and community advocates about oversight and the capacity of regulatory systems to identify and respond to threats to patient safety.
- Incident: Newborn distressed call, Tender Gifts Birth & Wellness Center, Fort Collins — February 2026.
- Prior event: A similar incident identified in 2025 during the investigation.
- State response: CDPHE received three complaints Feb–Mar 2026 and conducted an inspection in early March 2026.
- Regulatory split: CDPHE regulates facilities; DORA investigates individual licensed providers.
| Key date | Action |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Similar incident later identified by investigators |
| Feb 2026 | 911 call for distressed newborn; infant later died |
| Feb–Mar 2026 | CDPHE received three complaints |
| Early Mar 2026 | CDPHE inspection of the facility |
Local health officials and regulatory bodies have separate but overlapping jurisdictions. The split means that while CDPHE can cite facilities for systemic deficiencies, criminal investigations and professional disciplinary actions proceed through law-enforcement channels and licensing boards under DORA.
City residents seeking more information about the status of the facility or about filing complaints were pointed to public resources by state agencies. CDPHE's public statement emphasized that complaints play a critical role in triggering investigations and enforcement actions.
The allegations and ensuing investigations leave several open questions for Fort Collins families considering out-of-hospital birth options: how quickly regulators can act on complaints, how thorough inspections are when concerns are raised, and what protections exist for those served by facilities that operate across multiple Colorado communities.
As the criminal case develops, Fort Collins families, maternal-health advocates and city health partners will be watching the legal and regulatory responses closely for answers and accountability.
WE NEWS will continue to follow court filings, statements from CDPHE and DORA, and any announcements from Fort Collins Police regarding the status of the investigation and charges.
