DENVER (AP) -- Colorado lawmakers are considering increased oversight of its child welfare system following the deaths of 35 children under its care over the past three years.

Under legislation debated Thursday by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, the child protection ombudsman office would be set up as an independent office in the state Department of Human Services.

Gov. Bill Ritter ordered a review of the system two years ago following the deaths of 13 children who had been involved in the child welfare system in 2007. Eleven more died in both 2008 and 2009.

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