Colorado · Custody and support · Updated Oct 2026

Child custody and support in Colorado

Custody and child support in a Colorado divorce: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator, custody mediation and the child support agency.

Quick answer

In Colorado, custody is called “allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making and parenting time)”. Parenting class: The court may order parents of children under 18 to attend a parenting education program (C.R.S. 14-10-123.7). Colorado publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.

Custody term
Allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making and parenting time)
Parenting class
Depends on the court
Child support calculator
Official child support calculator or guidelines
Child support agency
Colorado Division of Child Support Services

Custody terms in Colorado

Allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making and parenting time)

Mediation

Common. If parents can't agree on a parenting plan, the court may order mediation; many districts require mediation before a contested hearing. Ask your family court facilitator: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/trial-court-district/family-court-facilitator-contacts

Parenting class in Colorado

  • The court may order parents of children under 18 to attend a parenting education program (C.R.S. 14-10-123.7).
  • Many judicial districts require it; check your district's rules or ask the family court facilitator.

Child support in Colorado

Good to know

Colorado uses the term 'allocation of parental responsibilities' instead of custody.

Children in a Colorado divorce: what the process includes

  1. Custody

    The court's orders use Colorado's term for custody: allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making and parenting time).

  2. Parenting class

    The court may order parents of children under 18 to attend a parenting education program (C.R.S. 14-10-123.7).

  3. Mediation

    Common.

  4. Child support

    The official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines

  5. The child support agency

    Colorado's child support agency: Colorado Division of Child Support Services

Questions about custody and child support in Colorado

What is child custody called in Colorado?

Colorado uses the term “allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making and parenting time)”.

Do parents have to take a class in a Colorado divorce?

The court may order parents of children under 18 to attend a parenting education program (C.R.S. 14-10-123.7). Many judicial districts require it; check your district's rules or ask the family court facilitator.

Is there an official child support calculator for Colorado?

Yes. Colorado's official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines

Which agency handles child support in Colorado?

Colorado Division of Child Support Services.

Is mediation required for custody in Colorado?

Common. If parents can't agree on a parenting plan, the court may order mediation; many districts require mediation before a contested hearing. Ask your family court facilitator: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/trial-court-district/family-court-facilitator-contacts

More about divorce in Colorado

Custody and support in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.