KATHIE J

Colorado baby born in car on shoulder of Highway I-225

Apr 6, 2026, 4:33 PM

A Colorado couple welcomed their baby girl on the shoulder of highway I-225 after the mother went into labor while the family raced to the Colorado Fetal Care Center.

The couple, who post on TikTok as @raisedbytherockies, shared audio of the father’s 911 call on April 3. The video has since amassed more than 248,000 likes.

The baby, Kiana, was born premature and had been diagnosed with genetic and heart conditions, including Tetralogy of Fallot. The family said they had originally planned a home birth but shifted to a hospital delivery at a Level IV NICU after learning of her diagnosis.

Their doula, a former midwife, was in the vehicle and helped deliver the baby. A CDOT driver was the first responder on scene.

The family said Kiana is healthy.

See the video of the parents and new baby Kiana here

@raisedbytherockies

Some adventures you plan. This one planned itself. 🐣 Our baby girl decided she wasn’t going to wait for anyone’s plans — not the hospital’s, not ours, and definitely not her dad’s, who was 800 miles away at a conference when early signs of labor began. Kiana Flora Maestas arrived on February 18th, five weeks ahead of schedule, in the front seat of our car on the shoulder of the highway. No birth suite, no playlist… just us, a whole lot of adrenaline, and our daughter making her grand entrance entirely on her own terms. Her first name carries our family’s Hawaiian roots, while her middle name comes from her great-grandmother, Flora (aka Grandma Flower). Combined, Kiana Flora’s name means “divine flower.” 🌺 She arrived with some cardiac and genetic conditions we learned about during the pregnancy, but is growing stronger everyday. For now, we’re soaking in every moment together with her and counting our lucky stars that she’s ours. Lani is a proud big sis and is already completely smitten, too! We are so deeply grateful for this precious soul who has joined our family. She is the gift we didn’t know we were waiting for, and is already loved beyond measure. #carbirth #welcomebaby #nicu #coloradofamily #tof

♬ original sound – Raised by the Rockies

 

Kathie J

(Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)...

Kathie J

Man hospitalized after entering DIA airfield months after deadly trespassing incident

It happened again? How does a person end up walking out there? If you’ve driven to DIA, you’ve seen how massive the property is. So hearing that someone got onto […]

2 hours ago

(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)...

Kathie J

Popular Pokémon Fossil exhibit to come to Denver Museum of Nature & Science

If you have a Pokémon fan in your house, here’s something to put on next year’s calendar! The Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition opens at the Denver Museum of Nature & […]

1 day ago

(Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)...

Kathie J

Passes for Boulder’s Sundance Film Festival go on sale Oct. 15

Colorado movie lovers, put October 15 on your calendar! This is so exciting. It’s so close. Passes and ticket packages for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder go on […]

5 days ago

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)...

Kathie J

Spirit Halloween releases trend report revealing top Halloween costumes for 2026

Still deciding what to be for Halloween? Spirit Halloween’s 2026 costume trend report might help narrow it down. Top advice: stay away from too short or too sexy. We are […]

7 days ago

(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)...

Kathie J

Colorado Halloween pumpkins can attract bears

Our Halloween pumpkins are now on the “Bear hibernating for winter” menu. Be aware. Be bear aware or you might get a big fright on your front porch. Colorado Parks […]

11 days ago

The Kathie J Show...

KOSI 101.1

The Kathie J Show | Mr. Norris talks bullying, the “3 T’s” and more

Were you bullied as a kid? I was—and so was my daughter’s gym teacher, Mr. Norris. Back to school brings big emotions and, sometimes, bullies. On The Kathie J Show, […]

11 days ago

Colorado baby born in car on shoulder of Highway I-225