Colorado Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in Colorado — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in Colorado
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
Colorado courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Child Support in Colorado
Colorado uses the Income Shares Model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. Both parents' adjusted gross incomes are combined to determine the Basic Child Support Obligation from a statutory schedule. Each parent's proportionate share is based on their percentage of combined income. Adjustments are made for health insurance, childcare costs, extraordinary medical expenses, and shared parenting time (multiplied by 1.50 for shared physical care). The guidelines apply to combined adjusted gross income up to statutory limits.
Official Colorado child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| JDF 1113 | Parenting Plan |
| JDF 1120 | Support Order |
Mandatory Parenting Course
Colorado requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-123.7, the court may order parents with children under 18 to attend a court-approved parenting education program in dissolution, legal separation, or parental responsibility proceedings. Most judicial districts require the course to be completed within 42 days of receiving the court order. Costs range from $30 to $50 per parent and are paid by each participant based on ability to pay.
Typical cost: $40
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Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related Colorado forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.