People, 305 P.3d 414 (Colo. Ct. App. 2013). · Go Syfert
People, 305 P.3d 414 (Colo. Ct. App. 2013). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
38 citation events (38 in the last 25 years) across 5 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Peo in Interest of JV (coloctapp, 2026-05-21)
Treatment trajectory · 2014 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2014 2020 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 22 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of JV
Colo. Ct. App. · 2026 · confidence medium
In response, the Department and guardian ad litem assert that we shouldn’t apply O.J.R. because (1) the case doesn’t apply retroactively, see People in Interest of C.A.K., 652 P.2d 603 , 607 (Colo. 1982) (describing the test for retroactive application of new case law); or (2) father waived his appellate argument by participating in the ICPC process, see People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 26 (noting that a party may waive an appellate argument by not making a timely request for relief). 5 ¶ 13 We need not decide these points because, even if O.J.R. applies, we still discern no …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of EL
Colo. Ct. App. · 2026 · confidence medium
People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal). ¶ 10 To preserve an issue for appellate review, a party must alert the juvenile court to the issue so that the court has an adequate opportunity to make findings of fact and conclusions of law.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of KS
Colo. Ct. App. · 2026 · confidence medium
People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (failing to take a position on an issue presented to a juvenile court is insufficient to preserve it for review).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of JS
Colo. Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court 18 will not be considered on appeal); see also People v. Ujaama, 2012 COA 36, ¶ 37 (An issue is unpreserved for review when, “among other things, (1) no objection or request was made in the trial court; or (2) an objection or request was made in the trial court, but on grounds different from those raised on appeal.”) (citations omitted). ¶ 37 In any event, as detailed above, the court determined that giving mother additional time to become fit would not be reasonable given the child’s high…
cited Cited as authority (rule) People in Interest of E.D.
Colo. Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised before the juvenile court won’t be considered on appeal). 29 reasonable accommodations, we disagree.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of ZRM
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
People in Int erest of T.E.R. , 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not r aised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal) 3.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of ZRM
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
People in Int erest of T.E.R. , 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not r aised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal) 3.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of AT
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
People in Interest of T.E.R. , 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Peo in Interest of AT
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
People in Interest of T.E.R. , 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) in Re Navajo Nation, Relator
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
T.E.R., 305 P.3d 414, 418-19 (Colo. App. 2013) (involving a transfer from Colorado to Michigan); Tubridy v. Iron Bear, 657 N.E.2d 935, 943 (Ill. 1995) (Illinois to Montana); In re Interest of A.P., 961 P.2d 706, 712-13 (Kan.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matter of S.B.C. Jr. (2×)
Mont. · 2014 · confidence medium
T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 14 , 305 P.3d 414, 417 (Colo. Ct. App. 2013) (“advanced stage” based on considering the time child spent in foster care placement).
discussed Cited "see" Peo in Interest of CG
Colo. Ct. App. · 2025 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal). ¶ 10 Mother also claims, without developing any factual or legal support, that she received ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with her admission.
discussed Cited "see" Peo in Interest of SIR (2×)
Colo. Ct. App. · 2025 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 , 305 P.3d 414, 419 (holding that issues not raised in the juvenile court will not be considered on appeal).
discussed Cited "see" Peo in Interest of MB
Colo. Ct. App. · 2025 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal); see also People in Interest of R.J.B., 2021 COA 4 , ¶ 35 (we will not consider claims that are “merely a bald assertion without argument or development”). 22 ¶ 58 Father concludes with a reference to the less drastic alternative of an allocation of parental responsibilities (APR).
discussed Cited "see" Adoption of ACZ
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal). ¶ 22 Father next asserts that his attempts to send payments to the Family Support Registry “should have given rise to sufficient doubt to preclude” a finding that he failed to provide reasonable support. ¶ 23 It’s within the juvenile court’s purview to weigh evidence, including conflicting evidence, and determine witness credibility.
cited Cited "see" Peo in Interest JLW
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal.) IV.
cited Cited "see" Peo in Interest JLW
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal.) IV.
discussed Cited "see" Peo in Interest of ASN
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not 11 be considered on appeal); see also People v. Rediger, 2018 CO 32, ¶¶ 39-40 (when a party waives an issue below, we do not review it on appeal).
discussed Cited "see" Peo in Interest of XW
Colo. Ct. App. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See People in Interest of T.E.R. , 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (generally, issues not raised in the trial court will not be considered on appeal); see also People v. Salas , 2017 COA 63 , ¶ 2 9 5 ( “ We do not require that parties use ‘talismanic language ’ to preserve particular arguments for appeal, but the trial court must be presented with an adequate opportunity to make findings of fact and conclusions of law on any issue before we will review it. ”) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Peo in Interest of ALO
Colo. Ct. App. · 2025 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See People v. Ujaama, 2012 COA 36, ¶ 37 (An issue is unpreserved for review when, among other things, “no objection or request was made in the trial court.”); see also People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 30 (failing to take a position on an issue presented to a juvenile court is insufficient to preserve it for review). ¶ 19 Next, mother contends that the juvenile court erred by adopting a “standard-issue co-parenting element” that left her “vulnerable to father’s attempts to manipulate, control and further victimize her.” At the dispositional hearing, mother asked the…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." The People of the State of Colorado, In the Interest of Minor Children My. K.M. and Ma. K.M., V. K.L. and T.A.M. (2×)
Colo. · 2022 · signal: compare · confidence low
Compare People in Int. of K.D., 155 P.3d 634, 637 (Colo.App. 2007) (" 'Active efforts' are equivalent to reasonable efforts to provide or offer a treatment plan in a non-ICWA case." ) , with People in Int. of T.E.R., 24 2013 COA 73, ¶ 33 , 305 P.3d 414, 419 ( "The ICWA's active efforts standard requires more than the 'reasonable efforts' standard . . . in non-ICWA cases." ). ¶31 Congress crafted the active efforts standard to fix what it deemed as state courts' failure to recognize and address the special needs and circumstances that Native American families face.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." in Interest of M.B
Colo. Ct. App. · 2020 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., People in Interest of T.E.R., 2013 COA 73, ¶ 26 (“[T]o the extent that [mother] now argues an evidentiary hearing was required before the juvenile court could rule, she has waived this argument.”); People in Interest of A.L.B., 994 P.2d 476, 480 (Colo. App. 1999) (“[T]hat contention was not argued to the trial court at the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado, IN the INTEREST OF T.E.R., a Child, and Concerning T.P.C.-J. and T.M.R.
Court of Appeals No. 12CA2196.
Colorado Court of Appeals.
May 9, 2013.
305 P.3d 414
Douglas J. Friednash, City Attorney, Laura Grzetic Eibsen, Assistant City Attorney, Denver, Colorado, for Petitioner-Appellee., Heather M. Gwinn Pabon, Denver, Jeffrey C. Koy, Elizabeth Fordyce, Guardians Ad Litem., Law Office of Lisa M. Horvath, LLC, Lisa M. Horvath, Denver, Colorado, for Respondent-Appellant T.P.C.-J., Davide C. Migliaccio, Colorado Springs, Colorado, for Respondent-Appellant TMR.
Fox, Lichtenstein, Webb.
Cited by 551 opinions  |  Published

Opinion by

JUDGE WEBB

T1 In this dependency and neglect proceeding, TM.R. (mother) and TP.C.-J. (father) appeal from the order denying transfer of jurisdiction to a tribal court under 25 U.S.C. section 1911(b) of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Father also appeals the judgment terminating the parent-child legal relationship between him and his child, T.E.R. We affirm.

[*416] I. Background

1 2 In September 2011, the Department of Human Services of the City and County of Denver (Department) filed a petition in dependency and neglect based on mother's substance abuse and mental health issues, and on father's incarceration. In October 2011, the Department sent a notice to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa (Tribe) pursuant to the ICWA based on mother's report that she was registered with the Tribe. The Tribe responded that it intended to intervene. Before the Tribe did so, the juvenile court adjudicated T.E.R. dependent and neglected and adopted treatment plans for mother and father.

T3 In May 2012, the Tribe moved to intervene, alleging that T.E.R. was eligible for membership. The juvenile court granted the motion. Thereafter, the Department moved to terminate mother's and father's parental rights.

{ 4 In July 2012, mother moved to transfer jurisdiction to tribal court. The Department and the guardian ad litem (GAL) opposed the motion, arguing that good cause existed to deny the transfer because the case was at an advanced stage, and the case could not be adequately presented in the tribal court without undue hardship to the parties or the witnesses. The Tribe took no position.

T5 In October 2012, after hearing argument but not taking evidence on transfer, the court found good cause to retain jurisdiction and denied mother's motion. Then, following a two-day hearing, the juvenile court entered judgment terminating mother's and father's parental rights.

II Transfer of Jurisdiction

T 6 Mother and father contend the juvenile court erred by finding good cause to deny transfer of jurisdiction. We discern no error by the court and further conclude that father waived this argument.

17 Under the ICWA, the state and the tribe have concurrent jurisdiction over Indian children who live off the reservation. People in Interest of J.L.P., 870 P.2d 1252, 1256 (Colo. The tribal court, however, is the preferred jurisdiction, and in the absence of good cause, upon request of "[eli-ther parent, the Indian custodian, or the Indian child's tribe" the state court must transfer jurisdiction to the tribe. 25 U.S.C. § 1911(b); People in Interest of A.T.W.S., 899 P.2d 223, 224-25 (Colo.App.1994); J.L.P., 870 P.2d at 1256.

18 Although the ICWA does not define good cause to deny transfer, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has issued guidelines for determining whether good cause exists. Guidelines for State Courts-Indian Child Custody Proceedings, 44 Fed. Reg. 67,584 (Nov. 26, 1979) (BIA Guidelines). As relevant here, the BIA Guidelines provide that good cause exists if either the proceeding was at an advanced stage when the petition to transfer was received, or the evidence necessary to decide the case could not be adequately presented in the tribal court without undue hardship to the parties or the witnesses. Id. at 67,591.

19 The party opposing transfer of jurisdiction bears the burden of establishing good cause to deny the transfer. A.T.W.S., 899 P.2d at 225. Determining whether good cause exists is within the juvenile court's discretion. Id. This determination must be made on a case-by-case basis after consideration of all of the circumstances. Id. Review is limited to examining the record to determine whether substantial evidence supports the juvenile court's findings. J.L.P., 870 P.2d at 1256.

110 We conclude that substantial evidence in the record supports the juvenile court's findings of good cause to deny transfer because the proceeding was at an advanced stage and the evidence necessary to decide the case could not be adequately presented in the tribal court without undue hardship to the parties or the witnesses.

A. Advanced Stage

111 The BIA Guidelines commentary for the advanced stage subsection provides:

Although the Act does not explicitly require transfer petitions to be timely, it does authorize the court to refuse to transfer a case for good cause. When a party[*417] who could have petitioned earlier waits until the case is almost complete to ask that it be transferred to another court and retried, good cause exists to deny the request.
Timeliness is a proven weapon of the courts against disruption caused by negligence or obstructionist tactics on the part of counsel. If a transfer petition must be honored at any point before judgment, a party could wait to see how the trial is going in state court and then obtain another trial if it appears the other side will win. Delaying a transfer request could be used as a tactic to wear down the other side by requiring the case be tried twice. The Act was not intended to authorize such tactics and the "good cause" provision is ample authority for the court to prevent them.

44 Fed. Reg. at 67,590.

1 12 Several courts have held that delay in requesting a transfer may constitute good cause to deny the transfer. In Interest of J.W., 528 N.W.2d 657, 660 (Iowa Ct.App.1995) (motion to transfer was filed three and one half years after tribe received notice); In re M.H., 2011 IL App (1st) 110196, 353 Ill. Dec. 648, 956 N.E.2d 510, 522 (tribe moved to transfer more than fifteen months after receiving notice); In re M.F., 41 Kan.App.2d 927, 206 P.3d 57, 62 (2009) (moved to transfer fifteen months after the proceedings began), aff'd, 290 Kan. 142, 225 P.3d 1177 (2010); In re Wayne R.N., 107 N.M. 341, 757 P.2d 1333, 1335-36 (N.M.Ct.App.1988) (upholding denial of request to transfer that was made on the morning of trial, six months after parents were served with notice of proceedings); In re Dependency & Neglect of A.L., 442 N.W.2d 233, 237 (S.D.1989) (upholding denial of request to transfer due to untimeliness where request was filed one year after tribe received notice); see also In re Robert T., 200 Cal.App.3d 657, 665, 246 Cal.Rptr. 168, 174 (1988) (good cause to deny transfer found based on sixteen-month delay between the permanency planning hearing and the tribe's request to transfer); but see J.L.P., 870 P.2d at 1258 (request to transfer was timely despite one-year delay between when tribe received notice and requested transfer).

T13 Several courts have also held that good cause to deny transfer exists if substantial steps to terminate parental rights had been taken before the transfer request. Robert T., 200 Cal.App.3d at 665, 246 Cal.Rptr. at 173 (a request to transfer should precede permanency planning in dependency proceedings); A.T.W.S., 899 P.2d at 226 (case was at advanced stage where department had filed a motion to terminate parental rights and foster parents had moved for a permanency planning hearing); J.W., 528 N.W.2d at 661 (case was at advanced stage where parent requested transfer after judgment to terminate her parental rights had been entered and appealed); M.H., 353 Ill. Dec. 648, 956 N.E.2d at 523 (case was at advanced stage where court had held adjudication, disposition, and permanency hearings before tribe's request for transfer); M.F., 206 P.3d at 62 (case was at advanced stage where permanency plan and motion to terminate had been filed); Wayne R.N., 757 P.2d at 1334 (request for transfer occurred after motion to terminate had been filed); cf. In re Interest of Zylena R., 284 Neb. 834, 825 N.W.2d 173, 184 (2012) (case was not at advanced stage where the tribe requested a transfer one month prior to filing of motion to terminate).

T14 Here, approximately eight months passed from the time the Tribe received notice of the proceedings until mother moved for transfer. During this time, the juvenile court adjudicated T.E.R. dependent and neglected; the court held a dispositional hearing at which it adopted treatment plans for mother and father; the court held a perma-neney planning hearing; the court held three review hearings; the GAL told the parties that she would be seeking to terminate mother's parental rights; the Tribe was allowed to intervene; and the Department moved to terminate mother's parental rights. Despite knowing that in April 2012 the GAL intended to seek termination and the Tribe had intervened in May 2012, mother waited until after the Department moved to terminate her parental rights before seeking a transfer.

T 15 The juvenile court concluded that by the time mother moved to transfer, the case[*418] was at an advanced stage. The record supports this conclusion.

{16 Nevertheless, mother contends that by considering the expedited permanency planning (EPP) provisions, the court improperly compressed the advanced stage analysis. §§ 19-1-102(1.6), 19-1-123, 19-8-703, C.R.S. 2012; People in Interest of M.T., 121 P.3d 309, 313 (Colo.App.2005) (the EPP provisions apply to children less than six years old when removed from the home and require placement in a permanent home within twelve months). We reject this contention.

T 17 The juvenile court noted that, "[in an EPP case, the Court believes that it is necessary to look at the timeframes given by the EPP statutes in deciding what's undue delay." However, the court made no findings regarding T.E.R.'s age, his removal from the home, and whether he should be placed in a permanent home. The court's ruling does not indicate that it relied on the EPP provisions to find that the case was at an advanced stage.

118 Accordingly, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the court's finding that the case was at an advanced stage.

B. Undue Hardship

{19 The BIA Guidelines commentary for the undue hardship subsection provides:

Consideration of whether or not the case can be properly tried in tribal court without hardship to the parties or witnesses was included on the strength of the seetion-by-section analysis in the House Report on the Act, which stated with respect to the § 19-11(b), "The subsection is intended to permit a state court to apply a modified doctrine of forum non conve-miens, in appropriate cases, to insure that the rights of the child as an Indian, the Indian parents or custodian, and the tribe are fully protected."
Application of this criterion will tend to limit transfers to cases involving Indian children who do not live very far from the reservation.

44 Fed. Reg. at 67,591.

20 Consistent with the commentary, this subsection has been interpreted by courts to apply a modified forum non conveniens doe-trine. Ex parte C.L.J., 946 So.2d 880 (Ala.Civ.App.2006); In re Adoption of S.S., 167 Ill.2d 250, 212 Ill.Dec. 590, 657 N.E.2d 935 (1995); In re C.E.H., 837 S.W.2d 947 (Mo.Ct.App.1992); In re Melaya F., 19 Neb.App. 235, 810 N.W.2d 429 (2011); Wayne R.N., 757 P.2d 1333; Chester County Dep't of Social Servs. v. Coleman, 303 S.C. 226, 399 S.E.2d 773 (1990); People in Interest of J.J., 454 N.W.2d 317 (S.D.1990); Yavapai-Apache Tribe v. Mejia, 906 S.W.2d 152 (Tex.App.1995). Thus, the state court determines whether the tribal court is an inconvenient forum, and if so, good cause exists to deny transfer. Yavapai-Apache, 906 S.W.2d at 165.

21 Several courts have held that "[glood cause to deny transfer of the proceedings to the tribal court may arise from geographical obstacles." In Interest of J.R.H., 358 N.W.2d 311, 317 (Iowa 1984); In re T.S., 245 Mont. 242, 801 P.2d 77, 82 (1990) (undue hardship found where parties, witnesses, and evidence were located in Montana but would be required to travel to tribal court in Alaska); Wayne R.N., 757 P.2d at 1336 (good cause found where parties and witnesses were located in New Mexico and "would be forced to travel to Oklahoma, at considerable expense and difficulty"); Chester, 399 S.E.2d at 776 (good cause found where evidence and witnesses were located in South Carolina and would be required to travel to tribal court in South Dakota); J.J., 454 N.W.2d at 330 (undue hardship found where all witnesses resided in South Dakota and would be required to travel to North Dakota to participate in the proceedings).

T22 Here, the record shows that mother moved to Michigan in July 2012, and proceedings following a transfer of jurisdiction to tribal court would occur in Michigan. But T.E.R., the foster family, and the service providers, as well as records regarding T.E.R. and the Department's involvement, were located in Colorado. Based on this evidence, the juvenile court concluded that because mother was the only party not in Colorado, traveling to Michigan to participate in tribal court hearings would be an undue hardship to the parties and witnesses.

[*419] 123 Accordingly, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the juvenile court's finding that a transfer would cause undue hardship to the parties and witnesses.

C. Evidentiary Hearing

124 Mother's argument that the court erred by not conducting an evidentiary hearing before it denied transfer is unpersuasive.

125 The BIA Guidelines provide that if a party asserts good cause to deny transfer, the reasons shall be stated in writing and made available to the parties who are petitioning for transfer. 44 Fed. Reg. 67, 590. The petitioners shall have the opportunity to provide the court with their views on whether good cause to deny transfer exists. Id. at 67,590-91. Where transfer may be denied on the ground of good cause, "all parties need an opportunity to present their views to the court." Id. at 67,591. The BIA Guidelines do not require an evidentiary hearing.

26 Here, mother did not request an evi-dentiary hearing. Mother, the Department, and the GAL briefed transfer of jurisdiction and offered argument at the transfer hearing. During the hearing, mother did not object to anything argued by the Department or the GAL on the basis that supporting evidence must be presented. Before ruling, the court considered the parties' arguments, their written motions and responses, and the court record. Thus, consistent with the BIA Guidelines, mother was given an opportunity to respond to the Department's and the GAL's objections to a transfer of jurisdiction and present her views to the court. And to the extent that she now argues an evidentia-ry hearing was required before the juvenile court could rule, she has waived this argument. In re Marriage of Ensminger, 209 P.3d 1163, 1167 (Colo.App.2008) (failure to make a timely request for a hearing waives the right to a hearing).

D. Legal Standard

T27 Mother's contention that the court erred by not articulating the standard it applied to deny transfer is also unpersuasive.

128 The party opposing the transfer must establish good cause with clear and convincing evidence that the best interests of the child would be injured by such a transfer. J.L.P., 870 P.2d at 1257.

T 29 Here, the juvenile court made no specific reference to the clear and convincing evidence standard, which would be the better practice. However, mother's counsel cited to J.L.P., which discusses the standard to be applied, and the court noted that it had reviewed J.LP. in making its decision. See People in Interest of S.G., 91 P.3d 443, 449 (Colo.App.2004) ("Trial judges are presumed to know the law and to apply it in making their decisions." (quoting People v. White, 870 P.2d 424, 440 (Colo.1994))).

E. Father

130 Lastly, we decline to address father's argument regarding the transfer of jurisdiction because he failed to raise it in the juvenile court. People in Interest of K.L-P., 148 P.3d 402, 408 (Colo.App.2006) (arguments never presented to, considered by, or ruled on by the trial court may not be raised for the first time on appeal). Father did not brief the issue before the transfer hearing and, at the hearing, he had "no position" on this issue. Thus, this argument is waived. Id.

IIL Father-Active Efforts

131 Father contends the Department failed to provide "active efforts" as required under the ICWA. We disagree.

1 32 Under 25 U.S.C. section 1912(d), any party seeking to terminate parental rights to an Indian child "shall satisfy the court 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."

188 The ICWA's active efforts standard requires more than the "reasonable efforts" standard under section 19-3-604(2)(h), C.R.S. 2012, in non-ICWA cases. People in Interest of A.R., 2012 COA 195, ¶ 29, 310 P.3d 1007, 2012 WL 5457416. Nonetheless, active efforts under the ICWA[*420] does not mean persisting with futile efforts. People in Interest of A.V., 2012 COA 210, ¶ 12, 297 P.3d 1019. The court may consider a parent's unwillingness to participate in treatment as a factor in determining whether the Department made active efforts. Id.

134 Whether the Department made adequate active efforts is a mixed question of fact and law. Id. at 118. We review the juvenile court's factual findings for abuse of discretion and we review the legal issues de novo. Id.

135 Here, father was incarcerated during most of the case. After he was initially released, the Department scheduled a mental health evaluation, which was required under the treatment plan. The evaluation was scheduled three times because father either failed to attend or was re-incarcerated. Father did not complete the evaluation. The Department also referred him for a substance abuse evaluation, which he did not complete.

T36 Also, the Department made two diligent searches in September 2011 and May 2012 to locate family members who could be potential placement options for T.E.R. The caseworker initiated three home studies for father's relatives.

T37 Lastly, the caseworker contacted and coordinated with father's probation officer. She opined that because of father's incarceration, there were no other efforts that she could have provided to assist him with his treatment plan.

38 The juvenile court found that the Department made active efforts.

39 Accordingly, we conclude that the ree-ord supports the juvenile court's findings that the Department met the active efforts standard.

" 40 The order and judgment are affirmed.

Judge LICHTENSTEIN and Judge FOX concur.