C.R.S. § 14-10-124 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-124
14-10-124. Best interests of the child
Status: repealed

14-10-124. Best interests of the child. (1) Legislative declaration. While co-parenting is not appropriate in all circumstances following dissolution of marriage or legal separation, the general assembly finds and declares that, in most circumstances, it is in the best interest of all parties to encourage frequent and continuing contact between each parent and the minor children of the marriage after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage. In order to effectuate this goal when appropriate, the general assembly urges parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child-rearing and to encourage the love, affection, and contact between the children and the parents.

(1.3) Definitions. For purposes of this section and section 14-10-129 (2)(c), unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Coercive control" means a pattern of threatening, humiliating, or intimidating actions, including assaults or other abuse, that is used to harm, punish, or frighten an individual. "Coercive control" includes a pattern of behavior that takes away the individual's liberty or freedom and strips away the individual's sense of self, including the individual's bodily integrity and human rights. "Coercive control" includes isolating the individual from support, exploiting the individual, depriving the individual of independence, and regulating the individual's everyday behavior. "Coercive control" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(I) Isolating the individual from friends and family;

(II) Monitoring, surveilling, regulating, or controlling the individual's, or the individual's child's or relative's, finances, economic resources, or access to services;

(III) Monitoring, surveilling, regulating, or controlling the individual's, or the individual's child's or relative's, activities, communications, or movements, including through technology;

(IV) Name-calling, degrading, or demeaning the individual, or the individual's child or relative, on a frequent basis;

(V) Threatening to harm or kill the individual or the individual's child or relative, including wearing, accessing, displaying, using, or cleaning a weapon in an intimidating or threatening manner;

(VI) Threatening to commit suicide or otherwise harm one's own person, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or retaliation against the person;

(VII) Threatening to harm or kill an animal with which the individual or the individual's child or relative has an emotional bond;

(VIII) Threatening to publish the individual's, or the individual's child's or relative's, sensitive personal information, including sexually explicit material, or make reports to the police or authorities;

(IX) Damaging the individual's, or the individual's child's or relative's, property or household goods;

(X) Threatening the individual, or the individual's child or relative, with deportation or contacting authorities based on perceived or actual immigration status, withholding essential documents required for immigration, or threatening to withdraw or interfere with an active immigration application or process; or

(XI) Forcing the individual, or the individual's child or relative, to take part in criminal activities or child abuse.

(b) "Domestic violence" means an act of violence or a threatened act of violence upon a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship, and may include any act or threatened act against a person or against property, including an animal, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship.

(c) "Intimate relationship" means a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both parents of the same child regardless of whether the persons have been married or have lived together at any time.

(d) "Sexual assault" has the same meaning as set forth in section 19-1-103.

(1.5) Allocation of parental responsibilities. The court shall determine the allocation of parental responsibilities, including parenting time and decision-making responsibilities, in accordance with the best interests of the child, giving paramount consideration to the child's safety and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the child as follows:

(a) Determination of parenting time. The court, upon the motion of either party or upon its own motion, may make provisions for parenting time that the court finds are in the best interests of the child, with the child's safety always paramount, unless the court finds, after a hearing, that parenting time by the party would endanger the child's physical health or significantly impair the child's emotional development. In addition to a finding that parenting time would endanger the child's physical health or significantly impair the child's emotional development, in any order imposing or continuing a parenting time restriction, the court shall enumerate the specific factual findings supporting the restriction, including findings related to domestic violence, child abuse, and child sexual abuse, and may enumerate the conditions that the restricted party could fulfill in order to seek modification in the parenting plan. When a claim of child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault where there is also a claim that the child was conceived as a result of the sexual assault has been made to the court, or the court has reason to believe that a party has committed child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault where there is also a claim that the child was conceived as a result of the sexual assault, prior to determining parenting time, the court shall follow the provisions of subsection (4) of this section. In determining the best interests of the child for purposes of parenting time, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including:

(I) The wishes of the child's parents as to parenting time;

(II) The wishes of the child if he or she is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences as to the parenting time schedule;

(III) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parents, his or her siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests;

(III.5) Any report related to domestic violence that is submitted to the court by a child and family investigator, if one is appointed pursuant to section 14-10-116.5; a professional parental responsibilities evaluator, if one is appointed pursuant to section 14-10-127; or a legal representative of the child, if one is appointed pursuant to section 14-10-116. The court may consider other testimony regarding domestic violence from the parties, experts, therapists for any parent or child, the department of human services, parenting time supervisors, school personnel, or other lay witnesses.

(IV) The child's adjustment to his or her home, school, and community;

(V) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, except that a disability alone shall not be a basis to deny or restrict parenting time;

(VI) The ability of the parties to encourage the sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other party; except that, if the court determines that a party is acting to protect the child from witnessing domestic violence or from being a victim of child abuse or neglect or domestic violence, the party's protective actions shall not be considered with respect to this factor;

(VII) Whether the past pattern of involvement of the parties with the child reflects a system of values, time commitment, and mutual support;

(VIII) The physical proximity of the parties to each other as this relates to the practical considerations of parenting time;

(IX) and (X) Repealed.

(XI) The ability of each party to place the needs of the child ahead of his or her own needs.

(a.5) In determining the best interests of the child for purposes of parenting time, the court shall strive not to consider as a relevant factor information or recommendations that are biased, including bias regarding religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, culture, race, ethnicity, national origin, or disability.

(b) Allocation of decision-making responsibility. The court, upon the motion of either party or its own motion, shall allocate the decision-making responsibilities between the parties based upon the best interests of the child. In determining decision-making responsibility, the court may allocate the decision-making responsibility with respect to each issue affecting the child mutually between both parties or individually to one or the other party or any combination thereof. When a claim of child abuse or neglect or domestic violence has been made to the court, or the court has reason to believe that a party has committed child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault where there is also a claim that the child in question was conceived as a result of the sexual assault, prior to allocating decision-making responsibility, the court shall follow the provisions of subsection (4) of this section. In determining the best interests of the child for purposes of allocating decision-making responsibilities, the court shall consider, in addition to the factors set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1.5), all relevant factors including:

(I) Credible evidence of the ability of the parties to cooperate and to make decisions jointly;

(II) Whether the past pattern of involvement of the parties with the child reflects a system of values, time commitment, and mutual support that would indicate an ability as mutual decision makers to provide a positive and nourishing relationship with the child;

(III) Whether an allocation of mutual decision-making responsibility on any one or a number of issues will promote more frequent or continuing contact between the child and each of the parties.

(IV) and (V) Repealed.

(1.7) Pursuant to section 14-10-123.4, children have the right to have the determination of matters relating to parental responsibilities based upon the best interests of the child. In contested hearings on final orders regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities, the court shall make findings on the record concerning the factors the court considered and the reasons why the allocation of parental responsibilities is in the best interests of the child.

(2) The court shall not consider conduct of a party that does not affect that party's relationship to the child.

(3) In determining parenting time or decision-making responsibilities, the court shall not presume that any person is better able to serve the best interests of the child because of that person's sex.

(3.5) A request by either party for genetic testing shall not prejudice the requesting party in the allocation of parental responsibilities pursuant to subsection (1.5) of this section.

(4) (a) When a claim of child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault where there is also a claim that the child was conceived as a result of the sexual assault has been made to the court, or the court has reason to believe that a party has committed child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault that resulted in the conception of the child, prior to allocating parental responsibilities, including parenting time and decision-making responsibility, and prior to considering the factors set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1.5) of this section, the court shall consider the following factors:

(I) Whether one of the parties has committed an act of child abuse or neglect as defined in section 18-6-401, C.R.S., or as defined under the law of any state, which factor must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence. If the court finds that one of the parties has committed child abuse or neglect, then it shall not be in the best interests of the child to allocate mutual decision-making with respect to any issue over the objection of the other party or the legal representative of the child.

(II) Whether one of the parties has committed an act of domestic violence, has engaged in a pattern of domestic violence, or has a history of domestic violence, which factor must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that one of the parties has committed domestic violence:

(A) It shall not be in the best interests of the child to allocate mutual decision-making responsibility over the objection of the other party or the legal representative of the child, unless the court finds that there is credible evidence of the ability of the parties to make decisions cooperatively in the best interest of the child in a manner that is safe for the abused party and the child; and

(B) The court shall not appoint a parenting coordinator solely to ensure that mutual decision-making can be accomplished.

(III) Whether one of the parties has committed an act of sexual assault resulting in the conception of the child, which factor must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that one of the parties has committed sexual assault and the child was conceived as a result of the sexual assault, there is a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the best interests of the child to allocate sole or split decision-making authority to the party found to have committed sexual assault or to allocate mutual decision-making between a party found to have committed sexual assault and the party who was sexually assaulted with respect to any issue.

(IV) If one of the parties is found by a preponderance of the evidence to have committed sexual assault resulting in the conception of the child, whether it is in the best interests of the child to prohibit or limit the parenting time of that party with the child.

(b) The court shall consider the additional factors set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1.5) of this section in light of any finding of child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault resulting in the conception of a child pursuant to this subsection (4).

(c) If a party is absent or leaves home because of an act or threatened act of domestic violence committed by the other party, such absence or leaving shall not be a factor in determining the best interests of the child.

(d) When the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that one of the parties has committed child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault resulting in the conception of the child, the court shall consider, as the primary concern, the safety and well-being of the child and the abused party.

(e) When the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that one of the parties has committed child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or sexual assault resulting in the conception of the child, in formulating or approving a parenting plan, the court shall consider conditions on parenting time that ensure the safety of the child and abused party, giving paramount consideration to the safety and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the child and abused party. In addition to any provisions set forth in subsection (7) of this section that are appropriate, the parenting plan in these cases may include, but is not limited to, the following provisions:

(I) An order limiting contact between the parties to contact that the court deems is safe and that minimizes unnecessary communication between the parties;

(II) An order that requires the exchange of the child for parenting time to occur in a protected setting determined by the court;

(III) An order for supervised parenting time;

(IV) An order restricting overnight parenting time;

(V) An order that restricts the party who has committed domestic violence, sexual assault resulting in the conception of the child, or child abuse or neglect from possessing or consuming alcohol or controlled substances during parenting time or for twenty-four hours prior to the commencement of parenting time;

(VI) An order directing that the address of the child or of any party remain confidential;

(VII) An order that imposes any other condition on one or more parties that the court determines is necessary to protect the child, another party, or any other family or household member of a party; and

(VIII) An order that requires child support payments to be made through the child support registry to avoid the need for any related contact between the parties and an order that the payments be treated as a nondisclosure of information case.

(f) When the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that one of the parties has committed domestic violence, the court may order the party to submit to a domestic violence evaluation. If the court determines, based upon the results of the evaluation, that treatment is appropriate, the court may order the party to participate in domestic violence treatment. At any time, the court may require a subsequent evaluation to determine whether additional treatment is necessary. If the court awards parenting time to a party who has been ordered to participate in domestic violence treatment, the court may order the party to obtain a report from the treatment provider concerning the party's progress in treatment and addressing any ongoing safety concerns regarding the party's parenting time. The court may order the party who has committed domestic violence to pay the costs of the domestic violence evaluations and treatment.

(5) Repealed.

(6) In the event of a medical emergency, either party shall be allowed to obtain necessary medical treatment for the minor child or children without being in violation of the order allocating decision-making responsibility or in contempt of court.

(7) In order to implement an order allocating parental responsibilities, both parties may submit a parenting plan or plans for the court's approval that shall address both parenting time and the allocation of decision-making responsibilities. If no parenting plan is submitted or if the court does not approve a submitted parenting plan, the court, on its own motion, shall formulate a parenting plan that shall address parenting time and the allocation of decision-making responsibilities. When issues relating to parenting time are contested, and in other cases where appropriate, the parenting plan must be as specific as possible to clearly address the needs of the family as well as the current and future needs of the aging child. In general, the parenting plan may include, but is not limited to, the following provisions:

(a) A designation of the type of decision-making awarded;

(b) A practical schedule of parenting time for the child, including holidays and school vacations;

(c) A procedure for the exchanges of the child for parenting time, including the location of the exchanges and the party or parties responsible for the child's transportation;

(d) A procedure for communicating with each other about the child, including methods for communicating and frequency of communication;

(e) A procedure for communication between a parent and the child outside of that parent's parenting time, including methods for communicating and frequency of communication; and

(f) Any other orders in the best interests of the child.

(8) The court may order mediation, pursuant to section 13-22-311, C.R.S., to assist the parties in formulating or modifying a parenting plan or in implementing a parenting plan specified in subsection (7) of this section and may allocate the cost of said mediation between the parties.

(9) If the court orders unsupervised parenting time for a parent and there is any information, including an accusation by a child, that the parent has committed domestic violence, child abuse, or child sexual abuse, or if the parent is accused by the child of domestic violence, child abuse, child sexual abuse, child emotional abuse, or coercive control, the court shall make a statement in writing or orally on the proceeding record regarding why unsupervised parenting time for the parent was determined to be in the best interests of the child with paramount consideration given to the child's safety and the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the child.
C.R.S. § 14-10-114 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-114
14-10-114. Spousal maintenance - advisory guidelines - legislative declaration - definition
Status: in_force

14-10-114. Spousal maintenance - advisory guidelines - legislative declaration - definitions. (1) Legislative declaration. (a) The general assembly hereby finds that:

(I) The economic lives of spouses are frequently closely intertwined in marriage and that it is often impossible to later segregate the respective decisions and contributions of the spouses; and

(II) Consequently, awarding spousal maintenance may be appropriate if a spouse needs support and the other spouse has the ability to pay support.

(b) The general assembly further finds that:

(I) Because the statutes provide little guidance to the court concerning maintenance awards, there has been inconsistency in the amount and term of maintenance awarded in different judicial districts across the state in cases that involve similar factual circumstances; and

(II) Courts and litigants would benefit from the establishment of a more detailed statutory framework that includes advisory guidelines to be considered as a starting point for the determination of fair and equitable maintenance awards.

(c) Therefore, the general assembly declares that it is appropriate to create a statutory framework for the determination of maintenance awards, including advisory guidelines for the amount and term of maintenance in certain cases, that will assist the court and the parties in crafting maintenance awards that are fair, equitable, and more consistent across judicial districts and in their application to both parties.

(2) At the time of permanent orders in dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity proceedings, and upon the request of either party, the court may order the payment of maintenance from one spouse to the other pursuant to the provisions of this section. An award of maintenance shall be in an amount and for a term that is fair and equitable to both parties and shall be made without regard to marital misconduct.

(3) (a) (I) Determination of maintenance. When a party has requested maintenance in a dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity proceeding, prior to granting or denying an award of maintenance, the court shall make initial written or oral findings concerning:

(A) The amount of each party's gross income;

(B) The marital property apportioned to each party;

(C) The financial resources of each party, including but not limited to the actual or potential income from separate or marital property;

(D) Reasonable financial need as established during the marriage; and

(E) Whether maintenance awarded pursuant to this section would be deductible for federal income tax purposes by the payor and taxable income to the recipient.

(II) After making the initial findings described in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), the court shall determine the amount and term of the maintenance award, if any, that is fair and equitable to both parties after considering:

(A) The guideline amount and term of maintenance set forth in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), if applicable, based upon the duration of the marriage and the combined gross incomes of the parties;

(B) The factors relating to the amount and term of maintenance set forth in paragraph (c) of this subsection (3); and

(C) Whether the party seeking maintenance has met the requirement for a maintenance award pursuant to paragraph (d) of this subsection (3).

(b) Advisory guideline amount and term of maintenance. If the duration of the parties' marriage is at least three years and the parties' combined annual adjusted gross income does not exceed two hundred forty thousand dollars, the court shall make additional oral or written findings concerning the duration of the marriage in whole months and the advisory guideline amount and term of maintenance, calculated as follows:

(I) (A) If the maintenance award is deductible for federal income tax purposes by the payor and taxable income to the recipient, the amount of maintenance under the advisory guidelines is equal to forty percent of the parties' combined monthly adjusted gross income minus the lower income party's monthly adjusted gross income. If the calculation results in a negative number, the amount of maintenance is zero.

(B) If the maintenance award is not deductible for federal income tax purposes by the payor and not taxable income to the recipient, the amount of maintenance under the advisory guidelines for parties with a combined monthly adjusted gross income of ten thousand dollars or less is equal to eighty percent of the amount calculated pursuant to subsection (3)(b)(I)(A) of this section.

(C) If the maintenance award is not deductible for federal income tax purposes by the payor spouse and not taxable income to the recipient spouse, the amount of maintenance under the advisory guidelines for parties with a combined monthly adjusted gross income of more than ten thousand dollars but not more than twenty thousand dollars is equal to seventy-five percent of the amount calculated pursuant to subsection (3)(b)(I)(A) of this section.

(II) (A) The advisory term of maintenance under the guidelines, calculated in whole months, for marriages of at least three years but not more than twenty years, is set forth in the table contained in subsection (3)(b)(II)(B) of this section. When the duration of the parties' marriage exceeds twenty years, the court may award maintenance for a specified term of years or for an indefinite term, but the court shall not specify a maintenance term that is less than the maintenance term under the guidelines for a twenty-year marriage without making specific findings that support a reduced term of maintenance.

Insert PDF file

(c) Factors affecting the amount and term of maintenance. In any proceeding for maintenance, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:

(I) The financial resources of the recipient spouse, including the actual or potential income from separate or marital property or any other source and the ability of the recipient spouse to meet his or her needs independently;

(II) The financial resources of the payor spouse, including the actual or potential income from separate or marital property or any other source and the ability of the payor spouse to meet his or her reasonable needs while paying maintenance;

(III) The lifestyle during the marriage;

(IV) The distribution of marital property, including whether additional marital property may be awarded to reduce or alleviate the need for maintenance;

(V) Both parties' income, employment, and employability, obtainable through reasonable diligence and additional training or education, if necessary, and any necessary reduction in employment due to the needs of an unemancipated child of the marriage or the circumstances of the parties;

(VI) Whether one party has historically earned higher or lower income than the income reflected at the time of permanent orders and the duration and consistency of income from overtime or secondary employment;

(VII) The duration of the marriage;

(VIII) The amount of temporary maintenance and the number of months that temporary maintenance was paid to the recipient spouse;

(IX) The age and health of the parties, including consideration of significant health-care needs or uninsured or unreimbursed health-care expenses;

(X) Significant economic or noneconomic contribution to the marriage or to the economic, educational, or occupational advancement of a party, including but not limited to completing an education or job training, payment by one spouse of the other spouse's separate debts, or enhancement of the other spouse's personal or real property;

(XI) Whether the circumstances of the parties at the time of permanent orders warrant the award of a nominal amount of maintenance in order to preserve a claim of maintenance in the future;

(XII) Whether the maintenance is deductible for federal income tax purposes by the payor and taxable income to the recipient, and any adjustments to the amount of maintenance to equitably allocate the tax burden between the parties; and

(XIII) Any other factor that the court deems relevant.

(d) After considering the provisions of this section and making the required findings of fact, the court shall award maintenance only if it finds that the spouse seeking maintenance lacks sufficient property, including marital property apportioned to him or her, to provide for his or her reasonable needs and is unable to support himself or herself through appropriate employment or is the custodian of a child whose condition or circumstances make it inappropriate for the spouse to be required to seek employment outside the home.

(e) The maintenance guidelines set forth in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) do not create a presumptive amount or term of maintenance. The court has discretion to determine the award of maintenance that is fair and equitable to both parties based upon the totality of the circumstances. The court shall make specific written or oral findings in support of the amount and term of maintenance awarded pursuant to this section or an order denying maintenance.

(f) The court may award additional marital property to the recipient spouse or otherwise adjust the distribution of marital property or debt to alleviate the need for maintenance or to reduce the amount or term of maintenance awarded.

(g) The court may reserve jurisdiction to establish, review, or modify an award of maintenance at a later date pursuant to the provisions of this section by setting forth:

(I) The reasons for reserving jurisdiction;

(II) The ascertainable future event that forms the basis for reserving jurisdiction; and

(III) A reasonably specific time within which maintenance may be considered pursuant to this section.

(h) The court may award maintenance in short-term marriages, including marriages of less than three years in duration, when, given the circumstances of the parties, the distribution of marital property is insufficient to achieve an equitable result. In determining the award of maintenance, the court may consider the maintenance guidelines and the relevant factors affecting the amount and term of maintenance set forth in this subsection (3). The court shall make written or oral findings pursuant to paragraph (e) of this subsection (3).

(i) Nothing in this section prohibits an award of maintenance in gross.

(3.5) Combined annual adjusted gross income in excess of advisory guideline amount. If the parties' combined annual adjusted gross income exceeds two hundred forty thousand dollars, the calculation methodology described in subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section for determining the advisory guideline amount of maintenance does not apply, and the court shall instead consider the factors set forth in subsection (3)(c) of this section in determining the amount of maintenance. The court may consider the advisory guideline term of maintenance set forth in subsection (3)(b)(II) of this section.

(4) Temporary maintenance. (a) (I) In every proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity where temporary maintenance is requested by a party, the court may award a monthly amount of temporary maintenance pursuant to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section that are relevant to a determination of temporary maintenance.

(II) The guideline term of maintenance set forth in subparagraph (II) of paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section does not apply to temporary maintenance orders. The court shall determine the term for payment of temporary maintenance.

(III) In addition to the relevant factors set forth in paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of this section, the court shall consider any additional factors specific to the determination of temporary maintenance, including the payment of family expenses and debts.

(b) After determining the amount of temporary maintenance pursuant to this subsection (4) and the amount of temporary child support pursuant to section 14-10-115, the court shall consider the respective financial resources of each party and determine the temporary payment of marital debt and the temporary allocation of marital property.

(c) A determination of temporary maintenance does not prejudice the rights of either party at permanent orders.

(5) Modification or termination of maintenance. (a) Except upon written agreement of the parties, an award of maintenance entered pursuant to this section may be modified or terminated pursuant to the provisions of section 14-10-122. The court may consider the guideline amount and term of maintenance and the statutory factors set forth in subsection (3) of this section only in a modification or termination proceeding concerning a maintenance award entered on or after January 1, 2014.

(b) The enactment of this section does not constitute a substantial and continuing change of circumstance for purposes of modifying maintenance orders entered before January 1, 2014.

(c) The enactment of the December 2017 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", Pub.L. 115-97, federal tax legislation, does not constitute a substantial and continuing change of circumstance for purposes of modifying maintenance orders entered prior to the effective date of that law.

(6) Security for the payment of maintenance. (a) The court may require the payor spouse to provide reasonable security for the payment of maintenance in the event of the payor spouse's death prior to the end of the maintenance term.

(b) Reasonable security may include, but need not be limited to, maintenance of life insurance for the benefit of the recipient spouse. In entering an order to maintain life insurance, the court shall consider:

(I) The age and insurability of the payor spouse;

(II) The cost of the life insurance;

(III) The amount and term of the maintenance;

(IV) Whether the parties carried life insurance during the marriage;

(V) Prevailing interest rates at the time of the order; and

(VI) Other obligations of the payor spouse.

(c) Orders to maintain security may be modified or terminated pursuant to section 14-10-122.

(7) Maintenance agreements - waiver - unrepresented parties. (a) Either or both of the parties may agree in writing or orally in court to waive maintenance consistent with the provisions of section 14-10-112. The parties may also agree to waive maintenance in a premarital agreement or marital agreement consistent with the provisions of the "Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act", created in part 3 of article 2 of this title. The enforceability of maintenance provisions in a premarital agreement or marital agreement is determined pursuant to the provisions of section 14-2-309.

(b) In any proceeding that falls within the maintenance guidelines set forth in subsection (3) of this section, at the time of either temporary orders or permanent orders, if either party is not represented by an attorney or a licensed legal paraprofessional, the court shall not approve an agreement waiving maintenance or agreeing to an amount or term of maintenance that does not follow the maintenance guidelines unless the unrepresented party has indicated that the party is aware of the maintenance guidelines pursuant to this section.

(8) Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) (I) "Adjusted gross income" means gross income as defined in subsection (8)(c) of this section, less preexisting court-ordered child support obligations actually paid by a party, preexisting court-ordered alimony or maintenance obligations actually paid by a party, as adjusted, if applicable, pursuant to subsection (8)(a)(III) of this section, and the adjustment to a party's income as determined pursuant to section 14-10-115 (6)(b) for any children who are not children of the marriage for whom the party has a legal responsibility to support.

(II) For purposes of this subsection (8)(a), "income" means the actual gross income of a party, if employed to full capacity, or potential income, if unemployed or underemployed.

(III) (A) For purposes of this subsection (8)(a), if the preexisting court-ordered alimony or maintenance obligations actually paid by a party are deductible for federal income tax purposes by that party, then the full amount of alimony or maintenance actually paid must be deducted from that party's gross income.

(B) If the preexisting court-ordered alimony or maintenance obligations actually paid by a party are not deductible for federal income tax purposes by that party, then the amount of preexisting court-ordered alimony or maintenance that is deducted from that party's gross income is the amount actually paid by that party multiplied by 1.25.

(b) "Duration of marriage" means the number of whole months, beginning from the first day of the month following the date of the parties' marriage until the date of decree or the date of the hearing on disposition of property if such hearing precedes the date of the decree.

(c) (I) "Gross income" means income from any source and includes, but is not limited to:

(A) Income from salaries;

(B) Wages, including tips declared by the individual for purposes of reporting to the federal internal revenue service or tips imputed to bring the employee's gross earnings to the minimum wage for the number of hours worked, whichever is greater;

(C) Commissions;

(D) Payments received as an independent contractor for labor or services, which payments must be considered income from self-employment;

(E) Bonuses;

(F) Dividends;

(G) Severance pay;

(H) Pension payments and retirement benefits actually received that have not previously been divided as property in this action, including but not limited to those paid pursuant to articles 51, 54, 54.5, and 54.6 of title 24, C.R.S., and article 30 of title 31, C.R.S.;

(I) Royalties;

(J) Rents;

(K) Interest;

(L) Trust income and distributions;

(M) Annuity payments;

(N) Capital gains;

(O) Any moneys drawn by a self-employed individual for personal use that are deducted as a business expense, which moneys must be considered income from self-employment;

(P) Social security benefits, including social security benefits actually received by a party as a result of the disability of that party;

(Q) Workers' compensation benefits;

(R) Unemployment insurance benefits;

(S) Disability insurance benefits;

(T) Funds held in or payable from any health, accident, disability, or casualty insurance to the extent that such insurance replaces wages or provides income in lieu of wages;

(U) Monetary gifts;

(V) Monetary prizes, excluding lottery winnings not required by the rules of the Colorado lottery commission to be paid only at the lottery office;

(W) Income from general partnerships, limited partnerships, closely held corporations, or limited liability companies; except that, if a party is a passive investor, has a minority interest in the company, and does not have any managerial duties or input, then the income to be recognized may be limited to actual cash distributions received;

(X) Expense reimbursements or in-kind payments received by a party in the course of employment, self-employment, or operation of a business if they are significant and reduce personal living expenses;

(Y) Alimony or maintenance received pursuant to a preexisting court order with a payor who is not a party to the action, as adjusted, if applicable, pursuant to subsection (8)(c)(VI) of this section; and

(Z) Overtime pay, only if the overtime is required by the employer as a condition of employment.

(II) "Gross income" does not include:

(A) Child support payments received;

(B) Benefits received from means-tested public assistance programs, including but not limited to assistance provided under the Colorado works program, as described in part 7 of article 2 of title 26, C.R.S., supplemental security income, food stamps, and general assistance;

(C) Income from additional jobs that result in the employment of the obligor more than forty hours per week or more than what would otherwise be considered to be full-time employment;

(D) Social security benefits received by a parent on behalf of a minor child as a result of the death or disability of a parent or stepparent; and

(E) Earnings or gains on retirement accounts, including individual retirement accounts; except that such earnings or gains shall not be included as income unless a party takes a distribution from the account. If a party may take a distribution from the account without being subject to a federal tax penalty for early distribution and the party chooses not to take a distribution, the court may consider the distribution that could have been taken in determining the party's gross income.

(III) (A) For income from self-employment, rent, royalties, proprietorship of a business, or joint ownership of a partnership or closely held corporation, "gross income" equals gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses, as defined in sub-subparagraph (B) of this subparagraph (III), required to produce such income.

(B) "Ordinary and necessary expenses", as used in sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (III), does not include amounts allowable by the internal revenue service for the accelerated component of depreciation expenses or investment tax credits or any other business expenses determined by the court to be inappropriate for determining gross income for purposes of calculating maintenance.

(IV) If a party is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, maintenance shall be calculated based on a determination of potential income; except that a determination of potential income shall not be made for a party who is physically or mentally incapacitated or is caring for a child under the age of thirty months for whom the parties owe a joint legal responsibility or for an incarcerated parent sentenced to one year or more.

(V) For the purposes of this section, a party shall not be deemed "underemployed" if:

(A) The employment is temporary and is reasonably intended to result in higher income within the foreseeable future; or

(B) The employment is a good faith career choice; or

(C) The party is enrolled in an educational program that is reasonably intended to result in a degree or certification within a reasonable period of time and that will result in a higher income, so long as the educational program is a good faith career choice.

(VI) For purposes of subsection (8)(c)(I)(Y) of this section, if alimony or maintenance received by a party pursuant to a preexisting court order is taxable income to that party for federal income tax purposes, then the actual amount of alimony or maintenance received is included in that party's gross income. If the alimony or maintenance received by a party pursuant to a preexisting court order is not taxable income to that party for federal income tax purposes, then the amount of alimony or maintenance that is included in that party's gross income is the amount of alimony or maintenance received multiplied by 1.25.

(9) Application. The provisions of this section apply only to actions in which a petition for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity, or an action for the initial establishment of maintenance is filed on or after January 1, 2014. Actions filed before January 1, 2014, are determined pursuant to the provisions of this section as it existed at the time of the filing of the action.
C.R.S. § 14-5-103 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 1 / Section 14-5-103
14-5-103. State tribunals and support enforcement agency
Status: in_force

14-5-103. State tribunals and support enforcement agency. (a) The court and the administrative agency are the tribunals of this state.

(b) The county and state child support services agencies are the support enforcement agencies of this state.
C.R.S. § 14-10-128 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-128
14-10-128. Hearings
Status: in_force

14-10-128. Hearings. (1) Proceedings concerning the allocation of parental responsibilities with respect to a child shall receive priority in being set for hearing.

(2) The court may tax as costs the payment of necessary travel and other expenses incurred by any person whose presence at the hearing the court deems necessary to determine the best interests of the child.

(3) The court without a jury shall determine questions of law and fact. If it finds that a public hearing may be detrimental to the child's best interests, the court may exclude the public from a hearing concerning the allocation of parental responsibilities but may admit any person who has a direct and legitimate interest in the particular case or a legitimate educational or research interest in the work of the court.

(4) If the court finds it necessary in order to protect the child's welfare that the record of any interview, report, investigation, or testimony in a proceeding concerning the allocation of parental responsibilities be kept secret, the court shall make an appropriate order sealing the record.
C.R.S. § 14-2-112 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 2 / Part 1 / Section 14-2-112
14-2-112. Application
Status: in_force

14-2-112. Application. All marriages contracted within this state prior to January 1, 1974, or outside this state that were valid at the time of the contract or subsequently validated by the laws of the place in which they were contracted or by the domicile of the parties are valid in this state.
C.R.S. § 14-10-128.5 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-128.5
14-10-128.5. Appointment of arbitrator - de novo hearing of award
Status: in_force

14-10-128.5. Appointment of arbitrator - de novo hearing of award. (1) With the consent of all parties, the court may appoint an arbitrator to resolve disputes between the parties concerning the parties' minor or dependent children, including but not limited to parenting time, nonrecurring adjustments to child support, and disputed parental decisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all awards entered by an arbitrator appointed pursuant to this section shall be in writing. The arbitrator's award shall be effective immediately upon entry and shall continue in effect until vacated by the arbitrator pursuant to part 2 of article 22 of title 13, C.R.S., modified or corrected by the arbitrator pursuant to part 2 of article 22 of title 13, C.R.S., or modified by the court pursuant to a de novo hearing under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) Any party may apply to have the arbitrator's award vacated, modified, or corrected pursuant to part 2 of article 22 of title 13, C.R.S., or may move the court to modify the arbitrator's award pursuant to a de novo hearing concerning such award by filing a motion for hearing no later than thirty-five days after the date of the award. In circumstances in which a party moves for a de novo hearing by the court, if the court, in its discretion based on the pleadings filed, grants the motion and the court substantially upholds the decision of the arbitrator, the party that requested the de novo hearing shall be ordered to pay the fees and costs of the other party and the fees of the arbitrator incurred in responding to the application or motion unless the court finds that it would be manifestly unjust.
C.R.S. § 14-5-1001 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 10 / Section 14-5-1001
14-5-1001. Venue
Status: repealed

14-5-1001. Venue. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 14-13.7-201 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.7 / Part 2 / Section 14-13.7-201
14-13.7-201. Form of agreement
Status: in_force

14-13.7-201. Form of agreement. (1) The parents of a child may enter into an interim agreement under this article granting custodial responsibility during deployment.

(2) An agreement under subsection (1) of this section must be:

(a) In writing; and

(b) Signed by both parents and any nonparent to whom custodial responsibility is granted.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, an agreement under subsection (1) of this section, if feasible, must:

(a) Identify the destination, duration, and conditions of the deployment that is the basis for the agreement;

(b) Specify the allocation of caretaking authority among the deploying parent, the other parent, and any nonparent;

(c) Specify any decision-making authority that accompanies a grant of caretaking authority;

(d) Specify any grant of limited contact to a nonparent;

(e) If, under the agreement, custodial responsibility is shared by the other parent and a nonparent, or by other nonparents, provide a process to resolve any dispute that may arise;

(f) Specify the frequency, duration, and means, including electronic means, by which the deploying parent will have contact with the child, any role to be played by the other parent in facilitating the contact, and the allocation of any costs of contact;

(g) Specify the contact between the deploying parent and child during the time the deploying parent is on leave or is otherwise available;

(h) Acknowledge that any party's child-support obligation cannot be modified by the agreement alone, and that changing the terms of the obligation during deployment requires modification by court order;

(i) Provide that the agreement will terminate according to the procedures under part 4 of this article after the deploying parent returns from deployment; and

(j) If the agreement must be filed pursuant to section 14-13.7-205, specify which parent is required to file the agreement.

(4) The omission of any of the items specified in subsection (3) of this section does not invalidate an agreement under this section.

(5) The agreement may be submitted to the court for approval to become an enforceable order.
C.R.S. § 14-10-115 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-115
14-10-115. Child support guidelines - purpose - determination of income - schedule of basic
Status: in_force

14-10-115. Child support guidelines - purpose - determination of income - schedule of basic child support obligations - adjustments to basic child support - additional guidelines - child support commission - definitions. (1) Purpose and applicability. (a) The child support guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations have the following purposes:

(I) To establish as state policy an adequate standard of support for children, subject to the ability of parents to pay;

(II) To make awards more equitable by ensuring more consistent treatment of persons in similar circumstances; and

(III) To improve the efficiency of the court process by promoting settlements and giving courts and the parties guidance in establishing levels of awards.

(b) The child support guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations do the following:

(I) Calculate child support based upon the parents' combined adjusted gross income estimated to have been allocated to the child if the parents and children were living in an intact household;

(II) Adjust the child support based upon the needs of the children for extraordinary medical expenses and work-related child care costs; and

(III) Allocate the amount of child support to be paid by each parent based upon physical care arrangements.

(c) This section shall apply to all child support obligations, established or modified, as a part of any proceeding, including, but not limited to, articles 5, 6, and 10 of this title and articles 4 and 6 of title 19, C.R.S., regardless of when filed.

(2) Duty of support - factors to consider. (a) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, maintenance, or child support, the court may order either or both parents owing a duty of support to a child of the marriage to pay an amount reasonable or necessary for the child's support and may order an amount determined to be reasonable under the circumstances for a time period that occurred after the date of the parties' physical separation or the filing of the petition or service upon the respondent, whichever date is latest, and prior to the month the child support obligation begins, without regard to marital misconduct.

(b) In determining the amount of support under this subsection (2), the court shall consider all relevant factors, including:

(I) The financial resources of the child;

(II) The financial resources of the custodial parent;

(III) The standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the marriage not been dissolved;

(IV) The physical and emotional condition of the child and his or her educational needs; and

(V) The financial resources and needs of the noncustodial parent.

(3) Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) (I) "Adjusted gross income" means gross income, as specified in subsection (5) of this section, less preexisting child support obligations and less alimony or maintenance actually paid by a parent, as described in subsection (3)(a)(II) of this section.

(II) For purposes of this subsection (3)(a), if the alimony or maintenance actually paid by a parent is deductible for federal income tax purposes by that parent, and the alimony or maintenance is paid and received by the same parties as the child support calculation, then the actual amount of alimony or maintenance paid by that parent must be deducted from that parent's gross income. If the alimony or maintenance actually paid by a parent is not deductible for federal income tax purposes by that parent, then the amount of alimony or maintenance deducted from that parent's gross income is the amount of alimony or maintenance actually paid by that parent subject to the following adjustments:

(A) If the combined monthly adjusted gross income of the parties to the maintenance payment is ten thousand dollars or less, the maintenance actually paid will be multiplied by 1.25;

(B) If the combined monthly adjusted gross income of the parties to the maintenance payment is more than ten thousand dollars, the maintenance actually paid will be multiplied by 1.33; and

(C) If the amount of alimony or maintenance actually paid is increased as described in this section because it is not deductible for federal income tax purposes, there is a rebuttable presumption that the multiplier is correct. The presumption may be rebutted with evidence indicating a different multiplier is more accurate due to the tax implications of the maintenance payment being different than that reflected by the multiplier.

(III) If a court-ordered alimony or maintenance obligation actually paid by a party does not involve the same parties as the child support calculation and is not deductible for federal income tax purposes by that party, then the amount of the court-ordered alimony or maintenance that is deducted from that party's gross income is the amount actually paid by that party multiplied by 1.25.

(b) "Combined gross income" means the combined monthly adjusted gross incomes of both parents.

(c) "Income" means the actual gross income of a parent, if employed to full capacity, or potential income, if unemployed or underemployed. Gross income of each parent shall be determined according to subsection (5) of this section.

(c.5) "Mandatory school fees" means fees charged by a school or school district, including a charter school, for a child attending public primary or secondary school for activities that are directly related to the educational mission of the school, including but not limited to laboratory fees; book or educational material fees; school computer or automation-related fees, whether paid to the school directly or purchased by a parent; testing fees; and supply or material fees paid to the school. "Mandatory school fees" does not include uniforms, meals, or extracurricular activity fees.

(d) "Number of children due support", as used in the schedule of basic child support obligations specified in subsection (7) of this section, means children for whom the parents share joint legal responsibility and for whom support is being sought.

(e) "Other children" means children who are not the subject of the child support determination at issue.

(f) "Postsecondary education" includes college and career and technical education programs.

(g) "Postsecondary education support" means support for the following expenses associated with attending a college, university, or career and technical education program: Tuition, books, and fees.

(h) "Shared physical care", for the purposes of the child support guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations specified in this section, and as further specified in paragraph (b) of subsection (8) of this section, means that each parent keeps the children overnight for more than ninety-two overnights each year and that both parents contribute to the expenses of the children in addition to the payment of child support.

(i) "Split physical care", for the purposes of the child support guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations specified in this section, and as further specified in paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of this section, means that each parent has physical care of at least one of the children by means of that child or children residing with that parent the majority of the time.

(4) Forms - identifying information - advisement. (a) The child support guidelines must be used with standardized child support guideline forms to be issued by the judicial department. The judicial department is responsible for promulgating and updating the Colorado child support guideline forms, schedules, worksheets, instructions, and advisements.

(b) All child support orders entered pursuant to this article shall provide the names and dates of birth of the parties and of the children who are the subject of the order and the parties' residential and mailing addresses. The social security numbers of the parties and children shall be collected pursuant to section 14-14-113 and section 26-13-127, C.R.S.

(c) All child support orders entered pursuant to this article 10 must include a written advisement to the parties that conforms with the written child support advisement approved by the judicial branch, covering the following topics, in plain language:

(I) That a party who does not pay child support may be subject to judicial and administrative enforcement remedies and examples of those remedies;

(II) The operation of income assignments;

(III) The application of interest on arrears;

(IV) The parties' obligations concerning proof of payment;

(V) The basis for a modification or change of support, including the definition of a substantial and continuing change of circumstances;

(VI) The effect of agreements to modify or amend child support and the requirement for court authorization or administrative process action of all modifications or amendments;

(VII) The effect of emancipation; and

(VIII) The effect of spousal maintenance.

(5) Determination of income. (a) For the purposes of the child support guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations specified in this section, the gross income of each parent shall be determined according to the following guidelines:

(I) "Gross income" includes income from any source, except as otherwise provided in subsection (5)(a)(II) of this section, and includes, but is not limited to:

(A) Income from salaries;

(B) Wages, including tips declared by the individual for purposes of reporting to the federal internal revenue service or tips imputed to bring the employee's gross earnings to the minimum wage for the number of hours worked, whichever is greater;

(C) Commissions;

(D) Payments received as an independent contractor for labor or services, which payments must be considered income from self-employment;

(E) Bonuses;

(F) Dividends;

(G) Severance pay;

(H) Pensions and retirement benefits, including but not limited to those paid pursuant to articles 51, 54, 54.5, and 54.6 of title 24, C.R.S., and article 30 of title 31, C.R.S.;

(I) Royalties;

(J) Rents;

(K) Interest;

(L) Trust income;

(M) Annuities;

(N) Capital gains;

(O) Any moneys drawn by a self-employed individual for personal use that are deducted as a business expense, which moneys must be considered income from self-employment;

(P) Social security benefits, including social security benefits actually received by a parent as a result of the disability of that parent or as the result of the death of the minor child's stepparent but not including social security benefits received by a minor child or on behalf of a minor child as a result of the death or disability of a stepparent of the child;

(Q) Workers' compensation benefits;

(R) Unemployment insurance benefits;

(S) Disability insurance benefits;

(T) Funds held in or payable from any health, accident, disability, or casualty insurance to the extent that such insurance replaces wages or provides income in lieu of wages;

(U) Monetary gifts;

(V) Monetary prizes, excluding lottery winnings not required by the rules of the Colorado lottery commission to be paid only at the lottery office;

(W) Income from general partnerships, limited partnerships, closely held corporations, or limited liability companies. However, if a parent is a passive investor, has a minority interest in the company, and does not have any managerial duties or input, then the income to be recognized may be limited to actual cash distributions received.

(X) Expense reimbursements or in-kind payments received by a parent in the course of employment, self-employment, or operation of a business if they are significant and reduce personal living expenses;

(Y) Alimony or maintenance received, as adjusted, if applicable, pursuant to subsection (5)(a)(I.5) of this section; and

(Z) Overtime pay, only if the overtime is required by the employer as a condition of employment.

(I.5) For purposes of subsection (5)(a)(I)(Y) of this section, if the alimony or maintenance actually received by a parent is taxable income to that parent for federal income tax purposes, then the actual amount of alimony or maintenance received is included in that parent's gross income. If the alimony or maintenance actually received by a parent is not taxable income to that parent for federal income tax purposes, and the alimony or maintenance is paid and received by the same parties as the child support calculation, then the amount of alimony or maintenance that is included in that parent's gross income is the amount of alimony or maintenance received by that parent subject to the following adjustments:

(A) If the combined monthly adjusted gross income of the parties to the maintenance payment is ten thousand dollars or less, the maintenance actually received will be multiplied by 1.25;

(B) If the combined monthly adjusted gross income of the parties to the maintenance payment is more than ten thousand dollars, the maintenance actually received will be multiplied by 1.33; and

(C) If the amount of alimony or maintenance actually received is increased as described in this section because it is not deductible for federal income tax purposes, there is a rebuttable presumption that the multiplier is correct. The presumption may be rebutted with evidence indicating a different multiplier is more accurate due to the tax implications of the maintenance payment being different than that reflected by the multiplier.

(II) "Gross income" does not include:

(A) Child support payments received;

(B) Benefits received from means-tested public assistance programs, including but not limited to assistance provided under the Colorado works program, as described in part 7 of article 2 of title 26, C.R.S., supplemental security income, food stamps, and general assistance;

(C) Income from additional jobs that result in the employment of more than forty hours per week or more than what would otherwise be considered to be full-time employment;

(D) Social security benefits received by the minor children, or on behalf of the minor children, as a result of the death or disability of a stepparent are not to be included as income for the minor children for the determination of child support; and

(E) Earnings or gains on a retirement account, including an IRA, which earnings or gains must not be included as income unless or until a parent takes a distribution from the account. If a distribution from a retirement account may be taken without being subject to an IRS penalty for early distribution and the parent decides not to take the distribution, the court may consider the distribution that could have been taken in determining the parent's gross income if the parent is not otherwise employed full-time and the retirement account was not received pursuant to the division of marital property.

(III) (A) For income from self-employment, rent, royalties, proprietorship of a business, or joint ownership of a partnership or closely held corporation, "gross income" equals gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses, as defined in sub-subparagraph (B) of this subparagraph (III), required to produce such income.

(B) "Ordinary and necessary expenses" does not include amounts allowable by the internal revenue service for the accelerated component of depreciation expenses or investment tax credits or any other business expenses determined by the court to be inappropriate for determining gross income for purposes of calculating child support.

(IV) If a preexisting court-ordered alimony or maintenance obligation actually received by a party does not involve the same parties as the child support calculation and is not deductible for federal income tax purposes by that party, then the amount of preexisting court-ordered alimony or maintenance that is deducted from that party's gross income is the amount actually received by that party multiplied by 1.25.

(b) (I) If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, child support must be calculated based on a determination of potential income; except that a determination of potential income must not be made for:

(A) A parent who is physically or mentally incapacitated;

(B) A parent who is caring for a child under the age of twenty-four months for whom the parents owe a joint legal responsibility; or

(C) An incarcerated parent sentenced to one hundred eighty days or more.

(I.5) If the court or delegate child support enforcement unit imputes income pursuant to this subsection (5), the provisions of subsection (5)(b.5) of this section apply.

(II) If a noncustodial parent who owes past-due child support is unemployed and not incapacitated and has an obligation of support to a child receiving assistance pursuant to part 7 of article 2 of title 26, C.R.S., the court or delegate child support enforcement unit may order the parent to pay such support in accordance with a plan approved by the court or to participate in work activities. Work activities may include one or more of the following:

(A) Private or public sector employment;

(B) Job search activities;

(C) Community service;

(D) Vocational training; or

(E) Any other employment-related activities available to that particular individual.

(III) For the purposes of this section, a parent is not deemed "underemployed" if:

(A) The employment is temporary and is reasonably intended to result in higher income within the foreseeable future; or

(B) The employment is a good faith career choice that is not intended to deprive a child of support and does not unreasonably reduce the support available to a child; or

(C) The parent is enrolled full-time in an educational or vocational program or is employed part-time while enrolled in a part-time educational or vocational program, based on the institution's enrollment definitions, and the program is reasonably intended to result in a degree or certification within a reasonable period of time; completing the program will result in a higher income; the program is a good faith career choice that is not intended to deprive the child of support; and the parent's participation in the program does not unreasonably reduce the amount of child support available to a child.

(b.5) (I) Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the court or delegate child support enforcement unit determines that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed or employment information is unreliable, the court or delegate child support enforcement unit shall determine and document, for the record, the parent's potential income.

(II) In determining potential income, the court or delegate child support enforcement unit shall consider, to the extent known, the specific circumstances of the parent, including consideration of the following information, when available:

(A) The parent's assets;

(B) Residence;

(C) Employment and earnings history;

(D) Job skills;

(E) Educational attainment;

(F) Literacy;

(G) Age;

(H) Health;

(I) Criminal record;

(J) Other employment barriers;

(K) Record of seeking work;

(L) The local job market;

(M) The availability of employers hiring in the community, without changing existing law regarding the burden of proof;

(N) Prevailing earnings level in the local community. The typical hours available to workers in the parent's job sector as established by any reliable source generally used and relied on by the public or persons in a particular occupation, including, but not limited to, verified statements, work history, the United States department of labor's bureau of labor statistics or other reliable compilations, the department of labor and employment, or other information provided by the parent. In the absence of any such information, the court or delegate child support enforcement unit shall determine the parent's income based on a reasonable rate of pay for a thirty-two-hour workweek for fifty weeks each year, subject to other factors set forth in this section that may affect the number of hours the parent is capable of working, such as age, health, or the specific needs of the subject child.

(O) Transportation; and

(P) Other relevant background factors in the case.

(c) Income statements of the parents shall be verified with documentation of both current and past earnings. Suitable documentation of current earnings includes pay stubs, employer statements, or receipts and expenses if self-employed. Documentation of current earnings shall be supplemented with copies of the most recent tax return to provide verification of earnings over a longer period. A copy of wage statements or other wage information obtained from the computer database maintained by the department of labor and employment shall be admissible into evidence for purposes of determining income under this subsection (5).

(6) Adjustments to gross income. (a) At the time a child support order is initially established, or in any proceeding to modify a child support order, if a parent is also legally responsible for the support of any other children for whom the parents do not share joint legal responsibility, the court shall make an adjustment to the parent's gross income prior to calculating the basic child support obligation for the child or children who are the subject of the support order in question as follows:

(I) If a parent is obligated to pay support for another child pursuant to an order, the amount actually paid on the order must be deducted from that parent's gross income;

(II) If the other child is residing in the home of a parent, the court shall deduct from that parent's gross income the amount calculated pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (6);

(III) If another child of a parent is residing outside the home of that parent, the court shall deduct from that parent's gross income the amount of documented money payments actually paid by the parent for the support of the other child, not to exceed the schedule of basic support obligations set forth in subsection (7) of this section.

(b) The amount of the adjustment must not exceed the schedule of basic support obligations listed in this section. For a parent with gross income of less than one thousand five hundred dollars, the adjustment is seventy-five percent of the amount listed under the schedule of basic child support obligations in subsection (7)(b) of this section that would represent a child support obligation based only upon the responsible parent's income, without any other adjustments for the number of children for whom the parent is responsible. For a parent with gross income of one thousand five hundred dollars or more per month, the adjustment is seventy-five percent of the amount listed under the schedule of basic child support obligations in subsection (7)(b) of this section that would represent a child support obligation based only upon the responsible parent's income, without any other adjustments for the number of other children for whom the parent is responsible. The amount calculated as set forth in this subsection (6)(b) must be subtracted from the amount of the parent's gross income prior to calculating the basic child support obligation based upon both parents' gross income, as provided in subsection (7) of this section.

(7) Schedule of basic child support obligations. (a) (I) The basic child support obligation shall be determined using the schedule of basic child support obligations contained in paragraph (b) of this subsection (7). The basic child support obligation shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes.

(II) (A) For combined gross income that falls between amounts shown in the schedule of basic child support obligations, basic child support amounts shall be interpolated. The category entitled "number of children due support" in the schedule of basic child support obligations shall have the meaning defined in subsection (3) of this section.

(B) In circumstances in which the obligor's monthly adjusted gross income is less than one thousand five hundred dollars but more than six hundred fifty dollars, the obligor is required to pay a child support payment of fifty dollars per month for one child, seventy dollars per month for two children, ninety dollars per month for three children, one hundred ten dollars per month for four children, one hundred thirty dollars per month for five children, and one hundred fifty dollars per month for six or more children. The minimum order amount shall not apply when each parent keeps the children more than ninety-two overnights each year as defined in subsection (3)(h) of this section. In no case, however, shall the amount of child support ordered to be paid exceed the amount of child support that would otherwise be ordered to be paid if the parents did not share physical custody.

(C) For an obligor with an adjusted gross income that is less than or equal to one thousand five hundred dollars but more than six hundred fifty dollars, the obligor's child support amount, as determined pursuant to subsection (7)(a)(II)(B) of this section, must be adjusted pursuant to subsection (11)(c)(III) of this section. The obligor's child support amount may be further adjusted to include a share of the work-related and education-related child care costs, health insurance, extraordinary medical expenses, and other extraordinary adjustments as described in subsections (9), (10), (11)(a), and (11)(b) of this section. However, if at the time the child support obligation is calculated, adjustments made pursuant to subsections (9), (10), (11)(a), and (11)(b) of this section, together with the low-income adjustment amount, exceed twenty percent of the obligor's adjusted gross income, the child support obligation must be capped at twenty percent of the obligor's adjusted gross income. The low-income adjustment does not apply when each parent keeps the children more than ninety-two overnights each year as defined in subsection (8) of this section. In no case, however, shall the amount of child support ordered to be paid exceed the amount of child support that would otherwise be ordered to be paid if the parents did not share physical custody.

(D) In any circumstance in which the obligor's monthly adjusted gross income is less than or equal to six hundred fifty dollars, regardless of the monthly adjusted gross income of the obligee, the obligor must be ordered to pay the minimum monthly order amount in child support. The minimum order amount is ten dollars per month, regardless of the number of children between these parties. The ten-dollar minimum monthly order amount is not adjusted by the number of the obligor's overnights with children.

(E) The judge may use discretion to determine child support in circumstances where combined adjusted gross income exceeds the uppermost levels of the schedule of basic child support obligations; except that the presumptive basic child support obligation shall not be less than it would be based on the highest level of adjusted gross income set forth in the schedule of basic child support obligations.

(b) Schedule of basic child support obligations:

Insert PDF file -- 2019 -- 2nd version effective July 1, 2020 -- Contact pub team for WP file

(8) Computation of basic child support - shared physical care - split physical care - stipulations - deviations - basis for periodic updates. (a) Except in cases of shared physical care or split physical care as defined in paragraphs (h) and (i) of subsection (3) of this section, a total child support obligation is determined by adding each parent's respective basic child support obligation, as determined through the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations specified in subsection (7) of this section, work-related net child care costs, extraordinary medical expenses, and extraordinary adjustments to the schedule of basic child support obligations. The parent receiving a child support payment shall be presumed to spend his or her total child support obligation directly on the children. The parent paying child support to the other parent shall owe his or her total child support obligation as child support to the other parent minus any ordered payments included in the calculations made directly on behalf of the children for work-related net child care costs, extraordinary medical expenses, or extraordinary adjustments to the schedule of basic child support obligations.

(b) Because shared physical care presumes that certain basic expenses for the children will be duplicated, an adjustment for shared physical care is made by multiplying the basic child support obligation by one and fifty hundredths (1.50). In cases of shared physical care, each parent's adjusted basic child support obligation obtained by application of paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of this section shall first be divided between the parents in proportion to their respective adjusted gross incomes. Each parent's share of the adjusted basic child support obligation shall then be multiplied by the percentage of time the children spend with the other parent to determine the theoretical basic child support obligation owed to the other parent. To these amounts shall be added each parent's proportionate share of work-related net child care costs, extraordinary medical expenses, and extraordinary adjustments to the schedule of basic child support obligations. The parent owing the greater amount of child support shall owe the difference between the two amounts as a child support order minus any ordered direct payments made on behalf of the children for work-related net child care costs, extraordinary medical expenses, or extraordinary adjustments to the schedule of basic child support obligations. In no case, however, shall the amount of child support ordered to be paid exceed the amount of child support that would otherwise be ordered to be paid if the parents did not share physical custody.

(c) (I) In cases of split physical care, a child support obligation shall be computed separately for each parent based upon the number of children living with the other parent in accordance with subsections (7), (9), (10), and (11) of this section. The amount so determined shall be a theoretical support obligation due each parent for support of the child or children for whom he or she has primary physical custody. The obligations so determined shall then be offset, with the parent owing the larger amount owing the difference between the two amounts as a child support order.

(II) If the parents also share physical care as outlined in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8), an additional adjustment for shared physical care shall be made as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8).

(d) Stipulations presented to the court shall be reviewed by the court for approval. No hearing shall be required; however, the court shall use the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations to review the adequacy of child support orders negotiated by the parties as well as the financial affidavit that fully discloses the financial status of the parties as required for use of the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations.

(e) In an action to establish or modify child support, whether temporary or permanent, the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations set forth in subsection (7) of this section shall be used as a rebuttable presumption for the establishment or modification of the amount of child support. A court may deviate from the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations where its application would be inequitable, unjust, or inappropriate. Any such deviation shall be accompanied by written or oral findings by the court specifying the reasons for the deviation and the presumed amount under the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations without a deviation. These reasons may include, but are not limited to, instances where one of the parents spends substantially more time with the child than is reflected by a straight calculation of overnights, the extraordinary medical expenses incurred for treatment of either parent or a current spouse, extraordinary costs associated with parenting time, the gross disparity in income between the parents, the ownership by a parent of a substantial nonincome producing asset, consistent overtime not considered in gross income under sub-subparagraph (C) of subparagraph (II) of paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of this section, or income from employment that is in addition to a full-time job or that results in the employment of the obligor more than forty hours per week or more than what would otherwise be considered to be full-time employment. The existence of a factor enumerated in this section does not require the court to deviate from the guidelines and basic schedule of child support obligations but may be a factor to be considered in the decision to deviate. The court may deviate from the guidelines and basic schedule of child support obligations even if a factor enumerated in this section does not exist.

(f) The guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations may be used by the parties as the basis for periodic updates of child support obligations.

(g) For purposes of calculating child support, when two or more children are included in the child support worksheet calculation and the parties have a different number of overnights with two or more of the children, the number of overnights used to determine child support is determined by adding together the number of overnights for each child and then dividing that number by the number of children included in the child support worksheet calculation.

(9) Adjustments for child care costs. (a) Net child care costs incurred on behalf of the children due to employment or job search or the education of either parent shall be added to the basic obligation and shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes.

(b) Child care costs shall not exceed the level required to provide quality care from a licensed source for the children. The value of the federal income tax credit for child care shall be subtracted from actual costs to arrive at a figure for net child care costs.

(10) Adjustments for health-care expenditures for children. (a) In orders issued pursuant to this section, the court shall also provide for the child's or children's current and future medical needs by ordering either parent or both parents to initiate medical or medical and dental insurance coverage for the child or children through currently effective medical or medical and dental insurance policies held by the parent or parents, purchase medical or medical and dental insurance for the child or children, or provide the child or children with current and future medical needs through some other manner. If a parent has been directed to provide insurance pursuant to this section and that parent's spouse provides the insurance for the benefit of the child or children either directly or through employment, a credit on the child support worksheet shall be given to the parent in the same manner as if the premium were paid by the parent. At the same time, the court shall order payment of medical insurance or medical and dental insurance deductibles and copayments.

(a.5) If a child is covered by insurance, the parent securing the coverage, the employer providing the coverage, or the insurance provider shall provide, upon request by the policy holder or by court order, the insurance provider's name, the insurance provider's telephone number, the group and policy number, and the claim address to the non-policy holder. The information must be provided unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause shown. This subsection (10) authorizes the release of information to the other party or parties. After notice to the party or parties of this obligation, the court has the authority to fine the parent securing coverage for failure to provide the required information.

(b) The payment of a premium to provide health insurance coverage on behalf of the children subject to the order shall be added to the basic child support obligation and shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross income.

(c) The amount to be added to the basic child support obligation shall be the actual amount of the total insurance premium that is attributable to the child who is the subject of the order. If this amount is not available or cannot be verified, the total cost of the premium should be divided by the total number of persons covered by the policy. The cost per person derived from this calculation shall be multiplied by the number of children who are the subject of the order and who are covered under the policy. This amount shall be added to the basic child support obligation and shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes.

(d) After the total child support obligation is calculated and divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes, the amount calculated in paragraph (c) of this subsection (10) shall be deducted from the obligor's share of the total child support obligation if the obligor is actually paying the premium. If the obligee is actually paying the premium, no further adjustment is necessary.

(e) Prior to allowing the health insurance adjustment, the parent requesting the adjustment must submit proof that the child or children have been enrolled in a health insurance plan and must submit proof of the cost of the premium. Any parent providing insurance coverage for the child pursuant to this section must notify the other party or parties and the delegate child support enforcement unit of any change or discontinuation of coverage as soon as practicable, but no later than fourteen days after the change.

(f) If a parent who is ordered by the court to provide medical or medical and dental insurance for the child or children has insurance that excludes coverage of the child or children because the child or children reside outside the geographic area covered by the insurance policy, the court shall order separate coverage for the child or children if the court determines coverage is available at a reasonable cost.

(g) Where the application of the premium payment on the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations results in a child support order of fifty dollars or less, or the premium payment is five percent or more of the parent's gross income, the court or delegate child support enforcement unit may elect not to require the parent to include the child or children on an existing policy or to purchase insurance. The parent is, however, required to provide insurance when it becomes available at a reasonable cost.

(h) (I) Any extraordinary medical expenses incurred on behalf of the children shall be added to the basic child support obligation and shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes.

(II) Extraordinary medical expenses are uninsured expenses, including copayments and deductible amounts, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars per child per calendar year. Extraordinary medical expenses include, but need not be limited to, such reasonable costs as are reasonably necessary for orthodontia, dental treatment, asthma treatments, physical therapy, vision care, professional counseling or psychiatric therapy for behavioral or mental health disorders, and any uninsured chronic health problem.

(III) (A) The party seeking reimbursement for an uninsured medical expense must provide proof of the expense to the reimbursing party within a reasonable time after incurring the expense. Absent extraordinary circumstances, failure to provide proof of the expense to the reimbursing party by July 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred results in a waiver of the reimbursement.

(B) The party seeking reimbursement may file a motion for judgment of uninsured medical expenses for that particular calendar year if the party fails to respond and reimburse the expenses or reach a payment arrangement with the requesting party within forty-nine days after the date the request was received. The motion must specify the amount of the expense incurred, the amount sought from the other party pursuant to subsection (10)(h)(I) of this section, and when and how the request for reimbursement was made to the other party. Any response to the motion must include any objection to the costs requested or proposed payment arrangements.

(11) Extraordinary adjustments to the schedule of basic child support obligations - periodic disability benefits. (a) By agreement of the parties or by order of court, the following reasonable and necessary expenses incurred on behalf of the child must be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross income:

(I) Any expenses for attending any special or private elementary or secondary schools to meet the particular educational needs of the child or public school mandatory school fees; and

(II) Any expenses for transportation of the child, or the child and an accompanying parent if the child is less than twelve years of age, between the homes of the parents.

(b) Any additional factors that actually diminish the basic needs of the child may be considered for deductions from the basic child support obligation.

(c) (I) If the noncustodial parent receives periodic disability benefits granted by the federal "Old-age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 401 et seq., due to the disability of the noncustodial parent or receives employer-paid retirement benefits from the federal government due to the retirement of the noncustodial parent, the noncustodial parent shall notify the custodial party, and the delegate child support enforcement unit, if a party to the case, within sixty days after the noncustodial party receives notice of such benefits.

(II) Absent good cause shown, the custodial parent must apply for dependent benefits for the child or children within sixty days after the custodial parent receives notification pursuant to subsection (11)(c)(I) of this section, and shall cooperate with the appropriate federal agency in completing any application for benefits.

(III) In cases where the custodial parent receives periodic disability benefits granted by the federal "Old-age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 401 et seq., on behalf of dependent children due to the disability of the noncustodial parent or receives employer-paid retirement benefits from the federal government on behalf of dependent children due to the retirement of the noncustodial parent, the noncustodial parent's share of the total child support obligation as determined pursuant to subsection (8) of this section must be reduced in an amount equal to the amount of the benefits.

(d) In cases where the custodial parent receives a lump sum retroactive award for benefits granted by the federal old-age, survivors, or disability insurance benefits program, 42 U.S.C. sec. 7, on behalf of a dependent child due to the disability of the noncustodial parent, or receives a lump sum retroactive award for employer-paid retirement benefits from the federal government on behalf of a dependent child due to the retirement of the noncustodial parent, the lump sum award received by the custodial parent must be credited against any retroactive support judgment or any past-due child support obligation, regardless of whether the past-due obligation has been reduced to judgment owed by the noncustodial parent. This credit must not be given against any amounts owed by the noncustodial parent for debt as defined in section 14-14-104 or for any retroactive support or any arrearage that accrued prior to the date of eligibility for disability or retirement benefits as determined by the social security administration. Any lump sum retirement or disability payments due to the retirement or disability of the noncustodial parent, received by the custodial parent as a result of the retirement or disability of the noncustodial parent, paid for a period of time that precedes the date of such benefit date eligibility, or any amount in excess of the established child support order or judgment, must be deemed a gratuity to the child.

(12) Dependency exemptions. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, the court shall allocate the right to claim dependent children for income tax purposes between the parties. These rights shall be allocated between the parties in proportion to their contributions to the costs of raising the children. A parent shall not be entitled to claim a child as a dependent if he or she has not paid all court-ordered child support for that tax year or if claiming the child as a dependent would not result in any tax benefit.

(13) Emancipation. (a) For child support orders entered on or after July 1, 1997, unless a court finds that a child is otherwise emancipated, emancipation occurs and child support terminates without either party filing a motion when the last or only child attains nineteen years of age unless one or more of the following conditions exist:

(I) The parties agree otherwise in a written stipulation after July 1, 1997;

(II) If the child is mentally or physically disabled, the court or the delegate child support enforcement unit may order child support, including payments for medical expenses or insurance or both, to continue beyond the age of nineteen;

(III) If the child is still in high school or an equivalent program, support continues until the end of the month following graduation. A child who ceases to attend high school prior to graduation and later reenrolls is entitled to support upon reenrollment and until the end of the month following graduation, but not beyond age twenty-one.

(IV) If the child marries, the child shall be considered emancipated as of the date of the marriage. If the marriage is annulled, dissolved, or declared invalid, child support may be reinstated.

(V) If the child enters into active military duty, the child shall be considered emancipated.

(b) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this subsection (13) or subsection (15) of this section shall preclude the parties from agreeing in a written stipulation or agreement on or after July 1, 1997, to continue child support beyond the age of nineteen or to provide for postsecondary education expenses for a child and to set forth the details of the payment of the expenses. If the stipulation or agreement is approved by the court and made part of a decree of dissolution of marriage or legal separation, the terms of the agreement shall be enforced as provided in section 14-10-112.

(14) Advisement to parties - annual exchange of information. (a) When a child support order is entered or modified, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the parties shall exchange information relevant to child support calculations on changes that have occurred since the previous child support order, and other appropriate information once a year or less often, for the purpose of updating and modifying the order without a court hearing. The parties shall use the approved standardized child support forms specified in subsection (4) of this section in exchanging financial information. The parents shall include the forms with any agreed modification or an agreement that a modification is not appropriate at the time. If the agreed amount departs from the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations, the parties shall furnish statements of explanation with the forms and shall file the documents with the court. The court shall review the agreement pursuant to this paragraph (a) and inform the parties by regular mail whether or not additional or corrected information is needed, or that the modification is granted, or that the modification is denied. If the parties cannot agree, a modification pursuant to this paragraph (a) shall not be entered; however, either party may move for or the court may schedule, upon its own motion, a modification hearing.

(b) Upon request of the noncustodial parent, the court may order the custodial parent to submit an annual update of financial information using the approved standardized child support forms, as specified in subsection (4) of this section, including information on the actual expenses relating to the children of the marriage for whom support has been ordered. The court shall not order the custodial parent to update the financial information pursuant to this paragraph (b) in circumstances where the noncustodial parent has failed to exercise parenting time rights or when child support payments are in arrears or where there is documented evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or a violation of a protection order on the part of the noncustodial parent. The court may order the noncustodial parent to pay the costs involved in preparing an update to the financial information. If the noncustodial parent claims, based upon the information in the updated form, that the custodial parent is not spending the child support for the benefit of the children, the court may refer the parties to a mediator to resolve the differences. If there are costs for such mediation, the court shall order that the party requesting the mediation pay such costs.

(c) In any status conference, administrative conference, or hearing in which child support is at issue, the court or the delegate child support unit shall verbally advise the parties that failure to pay child support ordered by the court or as a result of an administrative process action may result in enforcement actions and the addition of interest on arrears and that an agreement to modify child support is not effective until approved by the court, or delegate child support unit for administrative orders, and entered as an order.

(15) Postsecondary education. (a) This subsection (15) shall apply to all child support obligations established or modified as a part of any proceeding, including but not limited to articles 5, 6, and 10 of this title and articles 4 and 6 of title 19, C.R.S., prior to July 1, 1997. This subsection (15) shall not apply to child support orders established on or after July 1, 1997, which shall be governed by paragraph (a) of subsection (13) of this section.

(b) For child support orders entered prior to July 1, 1997, unless a court finds that a child is otherwise emancipated, emancipation occurs and child support terminates without either party filing a motion when the last or only child attains nineteen years of age unless one or more of the following conditions exist:

(I) The parties agree otherwise in a written stipulation after July 1, 1991;

(II) If the child is mentally or physically disabled, the court or the delegate child support enforcement unit may order child support, including payments for medical expenses or insurance or both, to continue beyond the age of nineteen;

(III) If the child is still in high school or an equivalent program, support continues until the end of the month following graduation, unless there is an order for postsecondary education, in which case support continues through postsecondary education as provided in this subsection (15). A child who ceases to attend high school prior to graduation and later reenrolls is entitled to support upon reenrollment and until the end of the month following graduation, but not beyond age twenty-one.

(IV) If the child marries, the child shall be considered emancipated as of the date of the marriage. If the marriage is annulled, dissolved, or declared invalid, child support may be reinstated.

(V) If the child enters into active military duty, the child shall be considered emancipated.

(c) If the court finds that it is appropriate for the parents to contribute to the costs of a program of postsecondary education, then the court shall terminate child support and enter an order requiring both parents to contribute a sum determined to be reasonable for the education expenses of the child, taking into account the resources of each parent and the child. In determining the amount of each parent's contribution to the costs of a program of postsecondary education for a child, the court shall be limited to an amount not to exceed the amount listed under the schedule of basic child support obligations in paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of this section for the number of children receiving postsecondary education. If such an order is entered, the parents shall contribute to the total sum determined by the court in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes as defined in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section. The amount of contribution that each parent is ordered to pay pursuant to this subsection (15) shall be subtracted from the amount of each parent's gross income, respectively, prior to calculating the basic child support obligation for any remaining children pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.

(d) In no case shall the court issue orders providing for both child support and postsecondary education to be paid for the same time period for the same child regardless of the age of the child.

(e) Either parent or the child may move for an order at any time before the child attains the age of twenty-one years. The order for postsecondary education support may not extend beyond the earlier of the child's twenty-first birthday or the completion of an undergraduate degree.

(f) Either a child seeking an order for postsecondary education expenses or on whose behalf postsecondary education expenses are sought, or the parent from whom the payment of postsecondary education expenses are sought, may request that the court order the child and the parent to seek mediation prior to a hearing on the issue of postsecondary education expenses. Mediation services shall be provided in accordance with section 13-22-305, C.R.S. The court may order the parties to seek mediation if the court finds that mediation is appropriate.

(g) The court may order the support paid directly to the educational institution, to the child, or in such other fashion as is appropriate to support the education of the child.

(h) A child shall not be considered emancipated solely by reason of living away from home while in postsecondary education. If the child resides in the home of one parent while attending school or during periods of time in excess of thirty days when school is not in session, the court may order payments from one parent to the other for room and board until the child attains the age of nineteen.

(i) If the court orders support pursuant to this subsection (15), the court or delegate child support enforcement unit may also order that the parents provide health insurance for the child or pay medical expenses of the child or both for the duration of the order. The order shall provide that these expenses be paid in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes as defined in subsection (3) of this section. The court or delegate child support enforcement unit shall order a parent to provide health insurance if the child is eligible for coverage as a dependent on that parent's insurance policy or if health insurance coverage for the child is available at reasonable cost.

(j) An order for postsecondary education expenses entered between July 1, 1991, and July 1, 1997, may be modified pursuant to this subsection (15) to provide for postsecondary education expenses subject to the statutory provisions for determining the amount of a parent's contribution to the costs of postsecondary education, the limitations on the amount of a parent's contribution, and the changes to the definition of postsecondary education consistent with this section as it existed on July 1, 1994. An order for child support entered prior to July 1, 1997, that does not provide for postsecondary education expenses shall not be modified pursuant to this subsection (15).

(k) Postsecondary education support may be established or modified in the same manner as child support under this article.

(16) Child support commission. (a) The child support guidelines, including the schedule of basic child support obligations, and general child support issues must be reviewed at least once every four years by a child support commission, which commission is hereby created. After the periodic review described in this section, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and to the general assembly explaining the commission's recommendations.

(b) As part of its review, the commission shall consider economic data on the cost of raising children and analyze case data on the application of, and deviations from, the guidelines and the schedule of basic child support obligations to be used in the commission's review to ensure that deviations from the guidelines and schedule of basic child support obligations are limited. Further, as part of its review, the commission shall consider:

(I) Establishing an adequate standard of support for children, subject to the parents' ability to pay;

(II) Making awards more equitable by ensuring more consistent treatment of persons in similar circumstances; and

(III) Improving the efficiency of the court process by promoting settlements and giving courts and the parties guidance on establishing levels of awards.

(c) (I) The child support commission consists of no more than twenty-one members. The commission is dedicated to including diverse perspectives in its recommendations.

(II) The governor shall appoint up to nineteen persons to the commission, who must include:

(A) Representatives of the judiciary and the Colorado bar association;

(B) The director of the division in the state department of human services who is responsible for child support services or the director's designee;

(C) A director of a county department of human or social services;

(D) The child support liaison to the judicial department;

(E) Interested parties;

(F) A certified public accountant; and

(G) At least four parent representatives, at least two of whom are present or past obligors and two of whom are present or past obligees.

(III) In making appointments to the commission, the governor shall attempt to ensure racial, economic, gender, and geographical diversity.

(IV) The remaining two members of the commission are a member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and a member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate and must not be members of the same political party.

(d) Members of the child support commission shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses for travel and mileage incurred in connection with their duties. The child support commission is authorized, subject to appropriation, to incur expenses related to its work, including the costs associated with public hearings, printing, travel, and research.

(d.5) and (e) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2013.)
C.R.S. § 14-5-1006 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 10 / Section 14-5-1006
14-5-1006. Interstate central registry - duties as the responding and initiating state - re
Status: repealed

14-5-1006. Interstate central registry - duties as the responding and initiating state - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 14-5-1003 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 10 / Section 14-5-1003
14-5-1003. Duty of officials of this state as responding state
Status: repealed

14-5-1003. Duty of officials of this state as responding state. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 14-2-113 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 2 / Part 1 / Section 14-2-113
14-2-113. Violation - penalty
Status: in_force

14-2-113. Violation - penalty. Except as provided in section 14-2-109 (1), any person who knowingly violates any provision of this part 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.
C.R.S. § 14-5-209 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 2 / Section 14-5-209
14-5-209. Credit for payment
Status: in_force

14-5-209. Credit for payment. A tribunal of this state shall credit amounts collected for a particular period pursuant to any child support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child support order for support of the same child issued by a tribunal of this state, another state, or a foreign country.
C.R.S. § 14-10-129 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-129
14-10-129. Modification of parenting time
Status: in_force

14-10-129. Modification of parenting time. (1) (a) (I) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section, the court may make or modify an order granting or denying parenting time rights whenever such order or modification would serve the best interests of the child. The trial court retains continuing jurisdiction to make or modify an order granting or denying parenting time rights pursuant to this section during the pendency of an appeal.

(II) In those cases in which a party with whom the child resides a majority of the time is seeking to relocate with the child to a residence that substantially changes the geographical ties between the child and the other party, the court, in determining whether the modification of parenting time is in the best interests of the child, shall take into account all relevant factors, including those enumerated in paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of this section. The party who is intending to relocate with the child to a residence that substantially changes the geographical ties between the child and the other party shall provide the other party with written notice as soon as practicable of his or her intent to relocate, the location where the party intends to reside, the reason for the relocation, and a proposed revised parenting time plan. A court hearing on any modification of parenting time due to an intent to relocate shall be given a priority on the court's docket.

(b) (I) The court shall not restrict a parent's parenting time rights unless it finds that the parenting time would endanger the child's physical health or significantly impair the child's emotional development. In addition to a finding that parenting time would endanger the child's physical health or significantly impair the child's emotional development, in any order imposing or continuing a parenting time restriction, the court shall enumerate the specific factual findings supporting the restriction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect grandparent or great-grandparent family time granted pursuant to section 14-10-124.4.

(II) The provisions of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b) shall not apply in those cases in which a party with whom the child resides a majority of the time is intending to relocate with the child to a residence that substantially changes the geographical ties between the child and the other party.

(1.5) If a motion for a substantial modification of parenting time which also changes the party with whom the child resides a majority of the time has been filed, whether or not it has been granted, no subsequent motion may be filed within two years after disposition of the prior motion unless the court decides, on the basis of affidavits, that the child's present environment may endanger the child's physical health or significantly impair the child's emotional development or that the party with whom the child resides a majority of the time is intending to relocate with the child to a residence that substantially changes the geographical ties between the child and the other party.

(2) The court shall not modify a prior order concerning parenting time that substantially changes the parenting time as well as changes the party with whom the child resides a majority of the time unless it finds, upon the basis of facts that have arisen since the prior decree or that were unknown to the court at the time of the prior decree, that a change has occurred in the circumstances of the child or the party with whom the child resides the majority of the time and that the modification is necessary to serve the best interests of the child. In applying these standards, the court shall retain the parenting time schedule established in the prior decree unless:

(a) The parties agree to the modification; or

(b) The child has been integrated into the family of the moving party with the consent of the other party; or

(c) The party with whom the child resides a majority of the time is intending to relocate with the child to a residence that substantially changes the geographical ties between the child and the other party. A court hearing on any modification of parenting time due to an intent to relocate shall be given a priority on the court's docket. In determining whether the modification of parenting time is in the best interests of the child, the court shall take into account all relevant factors, including whether a party has committed an act of domestic violence, has engaged in a pattern of domestic violence, or has a history of domestic violence, as that term is defined in section 14-10-124 (1.3), which factor shall be supported by a preponderance of the evidence, and shall consider such domestic violence whether it occurred before or after the prior decree, and all other factors enumerated in section 14-10-124 (1.5)(a) and:

(I) The reasons why the party wishes to relocate with the child;

(II) The reasons why the opposing party is objecting to the proposed relocation;

(III) The history and quality of each party's relationship with the child since any previous parenting time order;

(IV) The educational opportunities for the child at the existing location and at the proposed new location;

(V) The presence or absence of extended family at the existing location and at the proposed new location;

(VI) Any advantages of the child remaining with the primary caregiver;

(VII) The anticipated impact of the move on the child;

(VIII) Whether the court will be able to fashion a reasonable parenting time schedule if the change requested is permitted; and

(IX) Any other relevant factors bearing on the best interests of the child; or

(d) The child's present environment endangers the child's physical health or significantly impairs the child's emotional development and the harm likely to be caused by a change of environment is outweighed by the advantage of a change to the child.

(2.5) (a) When the court restricts a party's parenting time pursuant to section 19-5-105.5, C.R.S., or section 19-5-105.7, C.R.S., or section 14-10-124 (4)(a)(IV), the court may make or modify an order granting or denying parenting time rights whenever such order or modification would serve the best interests of the child. Within thirty-five days after the filing of a verified motion by the restricted party seeking a modification of parenting time, the court shall determine from the verified motion, and response to the motion, if any, whether there has been a substantial and continuing change of circumstances such that the current parenting time orders are no longer in the child's best interests, including consideration of whether the restricted parent has satisfactorily complied with any conditions set forth by the court when the court imposed the restrictions on parenting time, and either:

(I) Deny the motion, if there is an inadequate allegation; or

(II) Set the matter for hearing as expeditiously as possible with notice to the parties of the time and place of the hearing.

(b) If the court finds that the filing of a motion pursuant to subsection (2.5)(a) of this section was substantially frivolous, substantially groundless, substantially vexatious, or intended to harass or intimidate the other party, the court shall require the moving party to pay the reasonable and necessary attorney fees or licensed legal paraprofessional fees and costs of the other party.

(3) (a) If a parent has been convicted of any of the crimes listed in subsection (3)(b) of this section or convicted in another state or jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, a military or federal jurisdiction, of an offense that, if committed in Colorado, would constitute any of the crimes listed in subsection (3)(b) of this section, or convicted of any crime in which the underlying factual basis has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), that constitutes a potential threat or endangerment to the child, the other parent, or any other person who has been granted custody of or parental responsibility for the child pursuant to court order may file an objection to parenting time with the court. The other parent or other person having custody or parental responsibility shall give notice to the offending parent of the objection as provided by the Colorado rules of civil procedure, and the offending parent has twenty-one days from the notice to respond. If the offending parent fails to respond within twenty-one days, the parenting time rights of the parent are suspended until further order of the court. If the parent responds and objects, a hearing must be held within thirty-five days after the response. The court may determine that any offending parent who responds and objects is responsible for the costs associated with any hearing, including reasonable attorney fees or licensed legal paraprofessional fees incurred by the other parent. In making the determination, the court must consider the criminal record of the offending parent and any actions to harass the other parent and the children, any mitigating actions by the offending parent, and whether the actions of either parent have been substantially frivolous, substantially groundless, or substantially vexatious. The offending parent has the burden at the hearing to prove that parenting time by the parent is in the best interests of the child or children.

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (3) shall apply to the following crimes:

(I) Murder in the first degree, as defined in section 18-3-102, C.R.S.;

(II) Murder in the second degree, as defined in section 18-3-103, C.R.S.;

(III) Enticement of a child, as defined in section 18-3-305, C.R.S.;

(IV) (A) Sexual assault, as described in section 18-3-402, C.R.S.; and

(B) Sexual assault in the first degree, as described in section 18-3-402, C.R.S., as it existed prior to July 1, 2000;

(V) Sexual assault in the second degree, as described in section 18-3-403, C.R.S., as it existed prior to July 1, 2000;

(VI) (A) Unlawful sexual contact if the victim is compelled to submit, as described in section 18-3-404 (2), C.R.S.; and

(B) Sexual assault in the third degree if the victim is compelled to submit, as described in section 18-3-404 (2), C.R.S., as it existed prior to July 1, 2000;

(VII) Sexual assault on a child, as defined in section 18-3-405, C.R.S.;

(VIII) Incest, as described in section 18-6-301, C.R.S.;

(IX) Aggravated incest, as described in section 18-6-302, C.R.S.;

(X) Child abuse, as described in section 18-6-401 (7)(a)(I) to (7)(a)(IV), C.R.S.;

(XI) Human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude, as described in section 18-3-504 (2), C.R.S.;

(XII) Sexual exploitation of children, as defined in section 18-6-403, C.R.S.;

(XIII) Procurement of a child for sexual exploitation, as defined in section 18-6-404, C.R.S.;

(XIV) Soliciting for child prostitution, as defined in section 18-7-402, C.R.S.;

(XV) Pandering of a child, as defined in section 18-7-403, C.R.S.;

(XVI) Procurement of a child, as defined in section 18-7-403.5, C.R.S.;

(XVII) Keeping a place of child prostitution, as defined in section 18-7-404, C.R.S.;

(XVIII) Pimping of a child, as defined in section 18-7-405, C.R.S.;

(XIX) Inducement of child prostitution, as defined in section 18-7-405.5, C.R.S.;

(XX) Patronizing a prostituted child, as defined in section 18-7-406, C.R.S.

(c) If the party was convicted in another state or jurisdiction of an offense that, if committed in Colorado, would constitute an offense listed in subparagraphs (III) to (XX) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), the court shall order that party to submit to a sex-offense-specific evaluation and a parental risk assessment in Colorado and the court shall consider the recommendations of the evaluation and the assessment in any order the court makes relating to parenting time or parental contact. The convicted party shall pay for the costs of the evaluation and the assessment.

(4) A motion to restrict parenting time or parental contact with a parent which alleges that the child is in imminent physical or emotional danger due to the parenting time or contact by the parent shall be heard and ruled upon by the court not later than fourteen days after the day of the filing of the motion. Any parenting time which occurs during such fourteen-day period after the filing of such a motion shall be supervised by an unrelated third party deemed suitable by the court or by a licensed mental health professional, as defined in section 14-10-127 (1)(b). This subsection (4) shall not apply to any motion which is filed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(5) If the court finds that filing a motion pursuant to subsection (4) of this section was substantially frivolous, substantially groundless, or substantially vexatious, the court shall require the moving party to pay the reasonable and necessary attorney fees and costs or licensed legal paraprofessional fees and costs of the other party.
C.R.S. § 14-13-303 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13 / Part 3 / Section 14-13-303
14-13-303. Duty to enforce
Status: in_force

14-13-303. Duty to enforce. (1) A court of this state shall recognize and enforce a child-custody determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this article or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of this article and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this article.

(2) A court of this state may utilize any remedy available under other law of this state to enforce a child-custody determination made by a court of another state. The remedies provided in this part 3 are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child-custody determination.
C.R.S. § 14-10-131.7 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-131.7
14-10-131.7. Designation of custody for the purpose of other state and federal statutes
Status: in_force

14-10-131.7. Designation of custody for the purpose of other state and federal statutes. For purposes of all other state and federal statutes that require a designation or determination of custody, the parenting plan set forth in the court's order shall identify the responsibilities of each of the parties.
C.R.S. § 14-5-609 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 6 / Section 14-5-609
14-5-609. Procedure to register child support order of another state for modification
Status: in_force

14-5-609. Procedure to register child support order of another state for modification. A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order issued in another state shall register that order in this state in the same manner provided in sections 14-5-601 through 14-5-608 if the order has not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for modification.
C.R.S. § 14-6-110 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 6 / Section 14-6-110
14-6-110. Joint liability for family expenses
Status: in_force

14-6-110. Joint liability for family expenses. The expenses of the family and the education of the children are chargeable upon the property of both husband and wife, or either of them, and in relation thereto they may be sued jointly or separately.
C.R.S. § 14-5-1007 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 10 / Section 14-5-1007
14-5-1007. Enforcement of interstate income withholding
Status: repealed

14-5-1007. Enforcement of interstate income withholding. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 14-13.5-107 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.5 / Section 14-13.5-107
14-13.5-107. Factors to determine risk of abduction
Status: in_force

14-13.5-107. Factors to determine risk of abduction. (1) In determining whether there is a credible risk of abduction of a child, the court shall consider any evidence that the petitioner or respondent:

(a) Has previously abducted or attempted to abduct the child;

(b) Has threatened to abduct the child;

(c) Has recently engaged in activities that may indicate a planned abduction, including:

(I) Abandoning employment;

(II) Selling a primary residence;

(III) Terminating a lease;

(IV) Closing bank or other financial management accounts, liquidating assets, hiding or destroying financial documents, or conducting any unusual financial activities;

(V) Applying for a passport or visa or obtaining travel documents for the respondent, a family member, or the child; or

(VI) Seeking to obtain the child's birth certificate or school or medical records;

(d) Has engaged in domestic violence, domestic abuse, stalking, or child abuse or neglect;

(e) Has refused to follow a child-custody determination;

(f) Lacks strong familial, financial, emotional, or cultural ties to the state or the United States;

(g) Has strong familial, financial, emotional, or cultural ties to another state or country;

(h) Is likely to take the child to a country that:

(I) Is not a party to the "Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction" and does not provide for the extradition of an abducting parent or for the return of an abducted child;

(II) Is a party to the "Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction" but:

(A) The "Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction" is not in force between the United States and that country;

(B) Is noncompliant according to the most recent compliance report issued by the United States department of state; or

(C) Lacks legal mechanisms for immediately and effectively enforcing a return order under the "Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction";

(III) Poses a risk that the child's physical or emotional health or safety would be endangered in the country because of specific circumstances relating to the child or because of human rights violations committed against children;

(IV) Has laws or practices that would:

(A) Enable the respondent, without due cause, to prevent the petitioner from contacting the child;

(B) Restrict the petitioner from freely traveling to or exiting from the country because of the petitioner's gender, nationality, marital status, or religion; or

(C) Restrict the child's ability legally to leave the country after the child reaches the age of majority because of a child's gender, nationality, or religion;

(V) Is included by the United States department of state on a current list of state sponsors of terrorism;

(VI) Does not have an official United States diplomatic presence in the country; or

(VII) Is engaged in active military action or war, including a civil war, to which the child may be exposed;

(i) Is undergoing a change in immigration or citizenship status that would adversely affect the respondent's ability to remain in the United States legally;

(j) Has had an application for United States citizenship denied;

(k) Has forged or presented misleading or false evidence on government forms or supporting documents to obtain or attempt to obtain a passport, a visa, travel documents, a social security card, a driver's license, or other government-issued identification card or has made a misrepresentation to the United States government;

(l) Has used multiple names to attempt to mislead or defraud; or

(m) Has engaged in any other conduct the court considers relevant to the risk of abduction.

(2) In the hearing on a petition under this article, the court shall consider any evidence that the respondent believed in good faith that the respondent's conduct was necessary to avoid imminent harm to the child or respondent and any other evidence that may be relevant to whether the respondent may be permitted to remove or retain the child.
C.R.S. § 14-6-105 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 6 / Section 14-6-105
14-6-105. Spouse competent witness
Status: in_force

14-6-105. Spouse competent witness. In all proceedings or prosecutions under this article, a wife or husband shall be a competent witness against his spouse with or without his consent.
C.R.S. § 14-10-118 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-118
14-10-118. Enforcement of orders
Status: repealed

14-10-118. Enforcement of orders.

(1) Repealed.

(2) The court has the power to require security to be given to insure enforcement of its orders, in addition to other methods of enforcing court orders prescribed by statute or by the Colorado rules of civil procedure on or after July 6, 1973.
C.R.S. § 14-5-104 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 1 / Section 14-5-104
14-5-104. Remedies cumulative
Status: in_force

14-5-104. Remedies cumulative. (a) Remedies provided by this article are cumulative and do not affect the availability of remedies under other law or the recognition of a foreign support order on the basis of comity.

(b) This article does not:

(1) Provide the exclusive method of establishing or enforcing a support order under the laws of this state; or

(2) Grant a tribunal of this state jurisdiction to render judgment or issue an order relating to child custody or visitation in a proceeding under this article.
C.R.S. § 14-5-402 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 4 / Section 14-5-402
14-5-402. Proceeding to determine parentage
Status: in_force

14-5-402. Proceeding to determine parentage. A tribunal of this state authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage of a child brought under this article or a law or procedure substantially similar to this article.
C.R.S. § 14-5-210 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 2 / Section 14-5-210
14-5-210. Application of article to nonresident subject to personal jurisdiction
Status: in_force

14-5-210. Application of article to nonresident subject to personal jurisdiction. A tribunal of this state exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this article, under other law of this state relating to a support order, or recognizing a foreign support order may receive evidence from outside this state pursuant to section 14-5-316, communicate with a tribunal outside this state pursuant to section 14-5-317, and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this state pursuant to section 14-5-318. In all other respects, parts 3 to 6 of this article do not apply, and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.
C.R.S. § 14-10-123.8 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-123.8
14-10-123.8. Access to records
Status: in_force

14-10-123.8. Access to records. Access to information pertaining to a minor child, including but not limited to medical, dental, and school records, shall not be denied to any party allocated parental responsibilities, unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause shown.
C.R.S. § 14-5-606 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 6 / Section 14-5-606
14-5-606. Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered support order
Status: in_force

14-5-606. Procedure to contest validity or enforcement of registered support order. (a) A nonregistering party seeking to contest the validity or enforcement of a registered support order in this state shall request a hearing within the time required by section 14-5-605. The nonregistering party may seek to vacate the registration, to assert any defense to an allegation of noncompliance with the registered order, or to contest the remedies being sought or the amount of any alleged arrearages pursuant to section 14-5-607.

(b) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered support order in a timely manner, the order is confirmed by operation of law.

(c) If a nonregistering party requests a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered support order, the registering tribunal shall schedule the matter for hearing and give notice to the parties of the date, time, and place of the hearing.
C.R.S. § 14-13.7-101 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.7 / Part 1 / Section 14-13.7-101
14-13.7-101. Short title
Status: in_force

14-13.7-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act".
C.R.S. § 14-5-206 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 2 / Section 14-5-206
14-5-206. Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support order
Status: in_force

14-5-206. Continuing jurisdiction to enforce child support order. (a) A tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce:

(1) The order if the order is the controlling order and has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction pursuant to the "Uniform Interstate Family Support Act"; or

(2) A money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order.

(b) A tribunal of this state having continuing jurisdiction over a support order may act as a responding tribunal to enforce the order.

(c) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 1246, § 6, effective July 1, 2004.)
C.R.S. § 14-5-306 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 3 / Section 14-5-306
14-5-306. Inappropriate tribunal
Status: in_force

14-5-306. Inappropriate tribunal. If a petition or comparable pleading is received by an inappropriate tribunal of this state, the tribunal shall forward the pleading and accompanying documents to an appropriate tribunal of this state or another state and notify the petitioner where and when the pleading was sent.
C.R.S. § 14-15-108 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 15 / Section 14-15-108
14-15-108. Modification of civil union terms through an agreement
Status: in_force

14-15-108. Modification of civil union terms through an agreement. (1) Parties to a civil union may create agreements modifying the terms, conditions, or effects of a civil union in the manner specified in part 3 of article 2 of this title.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the provisions of this article and the provisions of part 3 of article 2 of this title do not invalidate or affect an otherwise valid domestic partnership agreement or civil contract between two individuals who are not married to each other in which the individuals set forth an agreement about the rights and responsibilities regarding matters similar to those that may be addressed by a contract under part 3 of article 2 of this title if the agreement or contract was made prior to May 1, 2013, or, if made on or after May 1, 2013, the agreement or contract is not made in contemplation of entering into a civil union under this article.
C.R.S. § 14-10-123.4 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-123.4
14-10-123.4. Rights of children in matters relating to parental responsibilities
Status: in_force

14-10-123.4. Rights of children in matters relating to parental responsibilities. (1) The general assembly hereby declares that children have certain rights in the determination of matters relating to parental responsibilities, including:

(a) The right to have such determinations based upon the best interests of the child;

(b) The right to be emotionally, mentally, and physically safe when in the care of either parent; and

(c) The right to reside in and visit in homes that are free of domestic violence and child abuse or neglect.
C.R.S. § 14-10-116 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-116
14-10-116. Appointment in domestic relations cases - representation of the best interests o
Status: in_force

14-10-116. Appointment in domestic relations cases - representation of the best interests of the child - legal representative of the child - disclosure - short title. (1) The court may, upon the motion of either party or upon its own motion, appoint an attorney, in good standing and licensed to practice law in the state of Colorado, to serve as the legal representative of the child, representing the best interests of the child in any domestic relations proceeding that involves allocation of parental responsibilities. In no instance may the same person serve as both the child's legal representative pursuant to this section and as the child and family investigator for the court pursuant to section 14-10-116.5. Within seven days after the appointment, the appointed person shall comply with the disclosure provisions of subsection (2.5) of this section.

(2) (a) The legal representative of the child, appointed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, shall represent the best interests of the minor or dependent child, as described in section 14-10-124, with respect to the parenting time, the allocation of parental responsibilities, financial support for the child, the child's property, or any other issue related to the child that is identified by the legal representative of the child or the appointing court. The legal representative of the child shall actively participate in all aspects of the case involving the child, within the bounds of the law. The legal representative of the child shall comply with the provisions set forth in the Colorado rules of professional conduct and any applicable provisions set forth in chief justice directives or other practice standards established by rule or directive of the chief justice pursuant to section 13-91-105 (1)(c) concerning the duties or responsibilities of best interest representation in legal matters affecting children, including training requirements related to domestic violence and its effect on children, adults, and families. The legal representative of the child shall not be called as a witness in the case. While the legal representative of the child shall ascertain and consider the wishes of the child, the legal representative of the child is not required to adopt the child's wishes in the legal representative of the child's recommendation or advocacy for the child unless such wishes serve the best interests of the child, as described in section 14-10-124.

(b) The short title of this subsection (2) is "Julie's Law".

(2.5) (a) Within seven days after the appointment, the appointed person shall disclose to each party, attorneys or licensed legal paraprofessionals of record, and the court any familial, financial, or social relationship that the appointed person has or has had with the child, either party, the attorneys or licensed legal paraprofessionals of record, or the judicial officer and, if a relationship exists, the nature of the relationship.

(b) Based on the disclosure required pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2.5), the court may, in its discretion, terminate the appointment and appoint a different person in the proceedings. A party has seven days from the date of the disclosure to object to the appointment based upon information contained in the disclosure. If a party objects to the appointment, the court shall appoint a different person or confirm the appointment within seven days after the date of the party's objection. If no party timely objects to the appointment, then the appointment is deemed confirmed.

(3) (a) The court shall enter an order for costs, fees, and disbursements in favor of the child's legal representative appointed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The order shall be made against any or all of the parties; except that, if the responsible parties are determined to be indigent, the costs, fees, and disbursements shall be borne by the state.

(b) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation, prior to the entry of a decree of dissolution or legal separation, the court shall not enter an order requiring the state to bear the costs, fees, or disbursements related to the appointment of a child's legal representative unless both parties are determined to be indigent after considering the combined income and assets of the parties.

(c) If the appointment of a child's legal representative occurs in a case involving unmarried parties, including those proceedings that occur after the entry of a decree for dissolution of marriage or of legal separation, the court shall make every reasonable effort to apportion costs between the parties in a manner that will minimize the costs, fees, and disbursements that shall be borne by the state.
C.R.S. § 14-10-105 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-105
14-10-105. Application of Colorado rules of civil procedure
Status: in_force

14-10-105. Application of Colorado rules of civil procedure. (1) The Colorado rules of civil procedure apply to all proceedings under this article, except as otherwise specifically provided in this article.

(2) A proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity of marriage shall be entitled "In re the Marriage of ........ and ..........". A proceeding for the allocation of parental responsibilities or a support proceeding shall be entitled "In re the (Parental responsibilities concerning) (Support of) ..........".

(2.5) A proceeding for dissolution of a civil union, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity of a civil union shall be entitled "In re the Civil Union of ........ and ........".

(3) The initial pleading in all proceedings under this article shall be denominated a petition. A responsive pleading shall be denominated a response. Other pleadings and all pleadings in other matters under this article shall be denominated as provided in the Colorado rules of civil procedure.
C.R.S. § 14-10-107.7 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-107.7
14-10-107.7. Required notice of involvement with state department of human services
Status: in_force

14-10-107.7. Required notice of involvement with state department of human services. When filing a petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation, a petition in support or proceedings for the allocation of parental responsibilities with respect to the children of the marriage, or any other matter pursuant to this article 10 with the court, if the parties have joint legal responsibility for a child for whom the petition seeks an order of child support, the parties are required to indicate on a form prepared by the court whether or not the parties or the dependent children of the parties have received within the last five years or are currently receiving benefits or public assistance, including child care assistance, from the state department of human services or a county department of human or social services. If the parties indicate that they have received such benefits or assistance, the court shall inform the appropriate delegate child support enforcement unit so that the unit can determine whether any support enforcement services are required. There is no penalty for failure to report as specified in this section.
C.R.S. § 14-10-133 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-133
14-10-133. Effective date - applicability
Status: in_force

14-10-133. Effective date - applicability. This article shall take effect January 1, 1972, and shall apply only to actions affected by this article which are commenced on or after such date; all such actions commenced prior to said date shall be governed by the laws then in effect.
C.R.S. § 14-10-120.3 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-120.3
14-10-120.3. Dissolution of marriage or legal separation upon affidavit - requirements
Status: in_force

14-10-120.3. Dissolution of marriage or legal separation upon affidavit - requirements. (1) Final orders in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation may be entered upon the affidavit of either or both parties when:

(a) There are no minor children of the husband and wife and the wife is not pregnant or the husband and wife are both represented by counsel or by a licensed legal paraprofessional and have entered into a separation agreement that provides for the allocation of parental responsibilities concerning the children of the marriage and setting out the amount of child support to be provided by the husband or wife or both; and

(b) The adverse party is served in the manner provided by the Colorado rules of civil procedure; and

(c) There is no genuine issue as to any material fact; and

(d) There is no marital property to be divided or the parties have entered into an agreement for the division of their marital property.

(2) If one party desires to submit the matter for entry of final orders upon an affidavit, the submitting party shall file his or her affidavit setting forth sworn testimony showing the court's jurisdiction and factual averments supporting the relief requested in the proceeding together with a copy of the proposed decree, a copy of any separation agreement proposed for adoption by the court, and any other supporting evidence. The filing of the affidavit does not shorten any statutory waiting period required for entry of a decree of dissolution or decree of legal separation.

(3) The court shall not be bound to enter a decree upon the affidavits of either or both parties, but the court may, upon its own motion, require that a formal hearing be held to determine any or all issues presented by the pleadings.
C.R.S. § 14-10-107.8 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-107.8
14-10-107.8. Required notice of prior restraining, civil protection, or emergency protection
Status: in_force

14-10-107.8. Required notice of prior restraining, civil protection, or emergency protection orders to prevent domestic abuse - petitions for dissolution of marriage or legal separation. (1) When filing a petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation pursuant to this article, the filing party shall have a duty to disclose to the court the existence of any prior temporary or permanent restraining orders and civil protection orders to prevent domestic abuse issued pursuant to article 14 of title 13, C.R.S., any mandatory restraining order and protection orders issued pursuant to section 18-1-1001, C.R.S., and any emergency protection orders issued pursuant to section 13-14-103, C.R.S., entered against either party by any court within two years prior to the filing of the petition of dissolution of marriage or legal separation. The disclosure required pursuant to this section shall address the subject matter of the previous restraining, civil protection, or emergency protection orders, including the case number and jurisdiction issuing such orders.

(2) After the filing of the petition, the court shall advise the parties concerning domestic violence services and potential financial resources that may be available and shall strongly encourage the parties to obtain such services for their children, in appropriate cases. If the parties' children participate in such services, the court shall apportion the costs of such services between the parties as it deems appropriate.

(3) The parties to a domestic relations petition filed pursuant to this article shall receive information concerning domestic violence services and potential financial resources that may be available.
C.R.S. § 14-13-314 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13 / Part 3 / Section 14-13-314
14-13-314. Appeals
Status: in_force

14-13-314. Appeals. An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under this part 3 in accordance with expedited appellate procedures in other civil cases. Unless the court enters a temporary emergency order under section 14-13-204, the enforcing court may not stay an order enforcing a child-custody determination pending appeal.
C.R.S. § 14-5-702 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 7 / Section 14-5-702
14-5-702. Applicability
Status: in_force

14-5-702. Applicability. This part 7 applies only to a support proceeding under the Convention. In such a proceeding, if a provision of this part 7 is inconsistent with parts 1 through 6 of this article, this part 7 controls.
C.R.S. § 14-5-401 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 4 / Section 14-5-401
14-5-401. Establishment of support order
Status: in_force

14-5-401. Establishment of support order. (a) If a support order entitled to recognition under this article has not been issued, a responding tribunal of this state with personal jurisdiction over the parties may issue a support order if:

(1) The individual seeking the order resides outside this state; or

(2) The support enforcement agency seeking the order is located outside this state.

(b) The tribunal may issue a temporary child support order if the tribunal determines that such an order is appropriate and the individual ordered to pay is:

(1) A presumed father of the child;

(2) Petitioning to have his paternity adjudicated;

(3) Identified as the father of the child through genetic testing;

(4) An alleged father who has declined to submit to genetic testing;

(5) Shown by clear and convincing evidence to be the father of the child;

(6) An acknowledged father as provided by section 19-4-105 (1)(e), C.R.S.;

(7) The mother of the child; or

(8) An individual who has been ordered to pay child support in a previous proceeding and the order has not been reversed or vacated.

(c) Upon finding, after notice and opportunity to be heard, that an obligor owes a duty of support, the tribunal shall issue a support order directed to the obligor and may issue other orders pursuant to section 14-5-305.
C.R.S. § 14-15-106 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 15 / Section 14-15-106
14-15-106. Restrictions as to minors and wards
Status: in_force

14-15-106. Restrictions as to minors and wards. (1) A county clerk and recorder shall not issue a civil union license if either party to the intended civil union is:

(a) Under eighteen years of age; or

(b) Eighteen years of age or older and under guardianship, unless the party under guardianship has the written consent of his or her guardian.

(2) A violation of subsection (1) of this section makes the civil union void.
C.R.S. § 14-13.7-301 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.7 / Part 3 / Section 14-13.7-301
14-13.7-301. Definition
Status: in_force

14-13.7-301. Definition. In this part 3, "close and substantial relationship" means a relationship between a child and a nonparent who has had physical care of the child for more than one hundred eighty-two days.
C.R.S. § 14-13.7-102 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.7 / Part 1 / Section 14-13.7-102
14-13.7-102. Definitions
Status: in_force

14-13.7-102. Definitions. In this article 13.7:

(1) "Adult" means an individual who has attained eighteen years of age or who is an emancipated minor.

(2) "Caretaking authority" means the right to live with and care for a child on a day-to-day basis. The term includes physical custody, parenting time, right to access, and visitation.

(3) "Child" means:

(a) An unemancipated individual who has not attained eighteen years of age; or

(b) An adult son or daughter by birth or adoption, or under law of this state other than this article, who is the subject of a court order concerning custodial responsibility.

(4) "Court" means a tribunal, including an administrative agency, authorized under law of this state other than this article to make, enforce, or modify a decision regarding custodial responsibility.

(5) "Custodial responsibility" includes all powers and duties relating to caretaking authority and decision-making authority for a child. The term includes physical custody, legal custody, parenting time, right to access, visitation, and authority to grant limited contact with a child.

(6) "Decision-making authority" means the power to make major decisions regarding a child, including decisions regarding the child's education, religious training, health care, extracurricular activities, and travel. The term does not include the power to make decisions that necessarily accompany a grant of caretaking authority.

(7) "Deploying parent" means a service member who is deployed or has been notified of impending deployment and is:

(a) A parent of a child under law of this state other than this article; or

(b) An individual who has custodial responsibility for a child under law of this state other than this article.

(8) "Deployment" means the movement or mobilization of a service member for more than ninety days but less than eighteen months pursuant to uniformed service orders that:

(a) Are designated as unaccompanied;

(b) Do not authorize dependent travel; or

(c) Otherwise do not permit the movement of family members to the location to which the service member is deployed.

(8.5) "Deployment order" means a record provided by a uniformed service to a service member directing a deployment.

(9) "Family member" means a sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, stepparent, or grandparent of a child or an individual recognized to be in a familial relationship with a child under law of this state other than this article.

(10) "Limited contact" means the authority of a nonparent to visit a child for a limited time. The term includes authority to take the child to a place other than the residence of the child.

(11) "Nonparent" means an individual other than a deploying parent or other parent.

(12) "Other parent" means an individual who, in common with a deploying parent, is:

(a) A parent of a child under law of this state other than this article; or

(b) An individual who has custodial responsibility for a child under law of this state other than this article.

(13) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(14) "Return from deployment" means the conclusion of a service member's deployment as specified in uniformed service orders.

(15) "Service member" means a member of a uniformed service.

(16) "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:

(a) To execute or adopt with a tangible symbol; or

(b) To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process.

(17) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(18) "Uniformed service" means:

(a) Active and reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard of the United States;

(b) The United States merchant marine;

(c) The commissioned corps of the United States public health service;

(d) The commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States; or

(e) The National Guard of a state.
C.R.S. § 14-13.5-108 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.5 / Section 14-13.5-108
14-13.5-108. Provisions and measures to prevent abduction
Status: in_force

14-13.5-108. Provisions and measures to prevent abduction. (1) If a petition is filed under this article, the court may enter an order that must include:

(a) The basis for the court's exercise of jurisdiction;

(b) The manner in which notice and opportunity to be heard were given to the persons entitled to notice of the proceeding;

(c) A detailed description of each party's custody and visitation rights, residential arrangements for the child, and any child-custody determinations in effect;

(d) A provision stating that a violation of the order may subject the party in violation to civil and criminal penalties; and

(e) Identification of the child's country of habitual residence at the time of the issuance of the order.

(2) If, at a hearing on a petition under this article or on the court's own motion, the court after reviewing the evidence finds a credible risk of abduction of the child, the court shall enter an abduction prevention order. The order must include the provisions required by subsection (1) of this section and measures and conditions, including those in subsections (3), (4), and (5) of this section, that are reasonably calculated to prevent abduction of the child, giving due consideration to the custody and visitation rights of the parties and the child-custody determinations in effect at the time of the filing of the petition under this article. The court shall consider the age of the child, the potential harm to the child from an abduction, the legal and practical difficulties of returning the child to the jurisdiction if abducted, and the reasons for the potential abduction, including evidence of domestic violence, domestic abuse, stalking, or child abuse or neglect.

(3) An abduction prevention order may include one or more of the following:

(a) An imposition of travel restrictions that require that a party traveling with the child outside a designated geographical area provide the other party with the following:

(I) The travel itinerary of the child;

(II) A list of physical addresses and telephone numbers at which the child can be reached at specified times; and

(III) Copies of all travel documents;

(b) A prohibition of the respondent directly or indirectly from:

(I) Removing the child from this state, the United States, or another geographic area without permission of the court or the petitioner's written consent;

(II) Removing or retaining the child in violation of a child-custody determination;

(III) Removing the child from school or a child-care or similar facility; or

(IV) Approaching the child at any location other than a site designated for supervised visitation or supervised parenting time;

(c) A requirement that a party register the order in another state as a prerequisite to allowing the child to travel to that state;

(d) With regard to the child's passport:

(I) A direction that the petitioner place the child's name in the United States department of state's child passport issuance alert program;

(II) A requirement that the respondent surrender to the court or the petitioner's attorney any United States or foreign passport issued in the child's name, including a passport issued in the name of both the parent and the child; and

(III) A prohibition upon the respondent from applying on behalf of the child for a new or replacement passport or visa;

(e) As a prerequisite to exercising custody, parental responsibilities, or visitation or parenting time, a requirement that the respondent provide:

(I) To the United States department of state office of children's issues and the relevant foreign consulate or embassy, an authenticated copy of the order detailing passport and travel restrictions for the child;

(II) To the court:

(A) Proof that the respondent has provided the information in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (e); and

(B) An acknowledgment in a record from the relevant foreign consulate or embassy that no passport application has been made, or passport issued, on behalf of the child;

(III) To the petitioner, proof of registration with the United States embassy or other United States diplomatic presence in the destination country and with the central authority for the "Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction", if that convention is in effect between the United States and the destination country, unless one of the parties objects; and

(IV) A written waiver under the federal "Privacy Act of 1974", 5 U.S.C. Section 552a, with respect to any document, application, or other information pertaining to the child authorizing its disclosure to the court and the petitioner; and

(f) Upon the petitioner's request, a requirement that the respondent obtain an order from the relevant foreign country containing terms identical to the child-custody determination issued in the United States.

(4) In an abduction prevention order, the court may impose conditions on the exercise of custody, parental responsibilities, or visitation or parenting time that:

(a) Limit visitation or parenting time or require that visitation or parenting time with the child by the respondent be supervised until the court finds that supervision is no longer necessary and order the respondent to pay the costs of supervision;

(b) Require the respondent to post a bond or provide other security in an amount sufficient to serve as a financial deterrent to abduction, the proceeds of which may be used to pay for the reasonable expenses of recovery of the child, including reasonable attorneys fees and costs if there is an abduction; and

(c) Require the respondent to obtain education on the potentially harmful effects to the child from abduction.

(5) To prevent imminent abduction of a child, a court may:

(a) Issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child under section 14-13.5-109 or the law of this state other than this article;

(b) Direct the use of law enforcement to take any action reasonably necessary to locate the child, obtain return of the child, or enforce a custody determination under this article or the law of this state other than this article; or

(c) Grant any other relief allowed under the law of this state other than this article.

(6) The remedies provided in this article are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to prevent abduction.
C.R.S. § 14-2-312 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 2 / Part 3 / Section 14-2-312
14-2-312. Uniformity of application and construction
Status: in_force

14-2-312. Uniformity of application and construction. In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration may be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
C.R.S. § 14-15-110 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 15 / Section 14-15-110
14-15-110. Issuance of a civil union license - certification - fee
Status: in_force

14-15-110. Issuance of a civil union license - certification - fee. (1) When both parties to a proposed civil union complete a civil union application and at least one party appears, or both parties appeared if permitted pursuant to section 14-2-106.5, before the county clerk and recorder and pays to the county clerk and recorder the civil union license fee and other fees described in subsection (2) of this section, and the county clerk and recorder determines that the parties meet the criteria specified in sections 14-15-104, 14-15-105, and 14-15-106, the county clerk and recorder shall issue a civil union license and a civil union certificate form. Both parties to the proposed civil union shall sign the application attesting to the accuracy of the facts stated.

(2) The civil union license fee is seven dollars plus an additional amount established pursuant to section 25-2-121, C.R.S. The county clerk and recorder shall forward the additional amount to the state treasurer who shall credit it to the vital statistics records cash fund pursuant to section 25-2-121, C.R.S. In addition, the county clerk and recorder shall collect a fee of twenty dollars to be transmitted by the county clerk and recorder to the state treasurer who shall credit the same to the Colorado domestic abuse program fund created in section 39-22-802 (1), C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 14-12-103 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 12 / Section 14-12-103
14-12-103. Offices - qualifications - salaries
Status: repealed

14-12-103. Offices - qualifications - salaries. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 14-6-111 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 6 / Section 14-6-111
14-6-111. Legislative declaration
Status: in_force

14-6-111. Legislative declaration. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Colorado that, in order to promote the life, health, property, and public welfare of this state, it is necessary to establish procedures to assist in the collection of child support, maintenance where combined with child support, and maintenance.
C.R.S. § 14-2-202 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 2 / Part 2 / Section 14-2-202
14-2-202. Married person may sue and be sued
Status: in_force

14-2-202. Married person may sue and be sued. A person, while married, may sue and be sued, in all matters having relation to his or her property, person, or reputation, in the same manner as if he or she were unmarried.
C.R.S. § 14-13.7-104 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.7 / Part 1 / Section 14-13.7-104
14-13.7-104. Jurisdiction
Status: in_force

14-13.7-104. Jurisdiction. (1) A court may issue an order regarding custodial responsibility under this article only if the court has jurisdiction under article 13 of this title.

(2) If a court has issued an interim order regarding custodial responsibility pursuant to part 3 of this article, the residence of the deploying parent is not changed by reason of the deployment for the purposes of article 13 of this title.

(3) If a court has issued a permanent order regarding custodial responsibility before notice of deployment and the parents modify that order temporarily by agreement pursuant to part 2 of this article, the residence of the deploying parent is not changed by reason of the deployment for the purposes of article 13 of this title.

(4) If a court in another state has issued an interim order regarding custodial responsibility as a result of impending or current deployment, the residence of the deploying parent is not changed by reason of the deployment for the purposes of article 13 of this title.

(5) This section does not prevent a court from exercising emergency jurisdiction under article 13 of this title.
C.R.S. § 14-5-502 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 5 / Section 14-5-502
14-5-502. Employer's compliance with income-withholding order of another state
Status: in_force

14-5-502. Employer's compliance with income-withholding order of another state. (a) Upon receipt of an income-withholding order, the obligor's employer shall immediately provide a copy of the order to the obligor.

(b) The employer shall treat an income-withholding order issued in another state which appears regular on its face as if it had been issued by a tribunal of this state.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section and section 14-5-503 the employer shall withhold and distribute the funds as directed in the withholding order by complying with terms of the order which specify:

(1) The duration and amount of periodic payments of current child support, stated as a sum certain;

(2) The person designated to receive payments and the address to which the payments are to be forwarded;

(3) Medical support, whether in the form of periodic cash payment, stated as a sum certain, or ordering the obligor to provide health insurance coverage for the child under a policy available through the obligor's employment;

(4) The amount of periodic payments of fees and costs for a support enforcement agency, the issuing tribunal, and the obligee's attorney, stated as sums certain; and

(5) The amount of periodic payments of arrearages and interest on arrearages, stated as sums certain.

(d) An employer shall comply with the law of the state of the obligor's principal place of employment for withholding from income with respect to:

(1) The employer's fee for processing an income-withholding order;

(2) The maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income; and

(3) The times within which the employer must implement the withholding order and forward the child support payment.
C.R.S. § 14-7-102 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 7 / Section 14-7-102
14-7-102. Action by state or county for support of child
Status: in_force

14-7-102. Action by state or county for support of child. The state of Colorado or the county, as the case may be, at whose expense such child is kept shall be entitled to recover from the parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for the support of such child such sum for the care, support, and maintenance of the child as may be reasonable therefor, and in no case shall such sum be less than the per capita monthly or yearly amount of expense in the institution in which the child is confined or the actual expense incurred by the state or county for the care and maintenance of such child. Any action or proceeding by the state or county against any parent shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure in civil cases. In case any action is maintained by the state, it shall be brought in the name of the people of the state of Colorado, and any moneys recovered in any action shall be paid to the state treasurer and credited to the particular fund for the benefit of the institution having the custody and care of such child. If an action is maintained by the county in cases where the county pays the expense of the care and maintenance of such child, such action shall be in the name of the board of county commissioners of such county or other body performing the functions of a board of county commissioners, and any amount collected in any such action shall be paid to the county treasurer of such county. When such action is prosecuted to a final judgment and judgment is rendered in favor of the people of the state of Colorado or the board of county commissioners of the county prosecuting such action, as the case may be, an execution may issue against the property of the defendant as in other civil cases.
C.R.S. § 14-5-610 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 5 / Part 6 / Section 14-5-610
14-5-610. Effect of registration for modification
Status: in_force

14-5-610. Effect of registration for modification. A tribunal of this state may enforce a child support order of another state registered for purposes of modification, in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this state, but the registered support order may be modified only if the requirements of section 14-5-611 or 14-5-613 have been met.
C.R.S. § 14-14-113 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 14 / Section 14-14-113
14-14-113. Recordation of social security numbers in certain family matters
Status: in_force

14-14-113. Recordation of social security numbers in certain family matters. (1) (a) (I) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), effective July 1, 1997, every application for, or application for the renewal of, a professional or occupational license or certificate, a commercial driver's license pursuant to section 42-2-403, C.R.S., or a marriage license pursuant to section 14-2-105 sought by an individual person shall require the applicant's social security number. Such social security number shall be recorded on the application regardless of the licensing agency's use of another number on the social security field on the license. Nothing in this paragraph (a) shall be construed to require that a person's social security number appear on the professional or occupational license, commercial driver's license, or marriage license.

(II) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), if an applicant for a professional or occupational license, commercial driver's license, or marriage license submits a sworn statement, together with the application, stating that the applicant does not have a social security number, such applicant shall not be required to provide a social security number on his or her application as required in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a).

(b) The judicial department shall maintain records of the parties' and children's social security numbers in family matters filed under articles 10 and 14 of this title, articles 4 and 6 of title 19, C.R.S., and article 13.5 of title 26, C.R.S. Nothing in this paragraph (b) shall require that a person's social security number appear on the face of the court order.

(c) All death certificates issued pursuant to section 25-2-110, C.R.S., shall identify the decedent's social security number, if available.

(2) (a) Access to records via the social security number provided in subsection (1) of this section and the security of those records shall be in accordance with section 26-13-107, C.R.S. Access shall be limited to the department of human services only for the purposes of establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support.

(b) Access to records via the social security number provided in subsection (1) of this section may be made by departments within their area of regulatory authority.

(3) In addition to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the child support enforcement agency and the delegate child support enforcement units, when exercising authority pursuant to this section, shall be subject to the privacy provisions of section 26-13-102.7, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 14-7-101 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 7 / Section 14-7-101
14-7-101. Commitment of child - parent liable for support
Status: in_force

14-7-101. Commitment of child - parent liable for support. The commitment of any child, under any law of this state, to any state institution shall not relieve the parents or legal guardian of such child from responsibility for the support of the child. It is the duty of any court committing any child to any state institution or any private institution where such child is kept at the expense of the county or state, at the time of the commitment, to forthwith notify the district attorney, if a state expense, and the county attorney, if a county expense, of the name and address of such parents and such other information as may be adduced at any hearing of such case concerning the financial responsibility of the parents to care for such child. In order to obtain such information, any court committing any child, at the time of commitment or at any convenient time to be designated by the court, is authorized to require the attendance of the parents or legal guardian upon such court to be examined under oath concerning the property, possessions, and financial responsibility of such parents or legal guardian.
C.R.S. § 14-13-204 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13 / Part 2 / Section 14-13-204
14-13-204. Temporary emergency jurisdiction
Status: in_force

14-13-204. Temporary emergency jurisdiction. (1) A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse. A court of this state may exercise temporary emergency jurisdiction during the pendency of an appeal of a child-custody determination.

(2) If there is no previous child-custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this article and a child-custody proceeding has not been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under a provision of law adopted by that state that is in substantial conformity with sections 14-13-201 to 14-13-203, a child-custody determination made under this section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state having jurisdiction under a provision of law adopted by that state that is in substantial conformity with sections 14-13-201 to 14-13-203. If a child-custody proceeding has not been or is not commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under a provision of law adopted by that state that is in substantial conformity with sections 14-13-201 to 14-13-203, a child-custody determination made under this section becomes a final determination, if it so provides and this state becomes the home state of the child.

(3) If there is a previous child-custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this article, or a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under a provision of law adopted by that state that is in substantial conformity with sections 14-13-201 to 14-13-203, any order issued by a court of this state under this section must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to allow the person seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having jurisdiction under a provision of law adopted by that state that is in substantial conformity with sections 14-13-201 to 14-13-203. The order issued in this state remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other state within the period specified or the period expires.

(4) A court of this state that has been asked to make a child-custody determination under this section, upon being informed that a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child-custody determination has been made by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under a provision of law adopted by that state that is in substantial conformity with sections 14-13-201 to 14-13-203, shall immediately communicate with the other court. A court of this state that is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to sections 14-13-201 to 14-13-203, upon being informed that a child-custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child-custody determination has been made by, a court of another state under a statute similar to this section shall immediately communicate with the court of that state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety of the parties and the child, and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order.
C.R.S. § 14-13.5-111 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13.5 / Section 14-13.5-111
14-13.5-111. Uniformity of applications and construction
Status: in_force

14-13.5-111. Uniformity of applications and construction. In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
C.R.S. § 14-13-102 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 13 / Part 1 / Section 14-13-102
14-13-102. Definitions
Status: in_force

14-13-102. Definitions. As used in this article 13, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Abandoned" means left without provision for reasonable and necessary care or supervision.

(2) "Child" means an individual who has not attained eighteen years of age.

(3) "Child-custody determination" means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court providing for the legal custody or physical custody of a child or allocating parental responsibilities with respect to a child or providing for visitation, parenting time, or grandparent or great-grandparent family time with respect to a child. The term includes a permanent, temporary, initial, and modification order. The term does not include an order relating to child support or other monetary obligation of an individual.

(4) "Child-custody proceeding" means a proceeding in which legal custody or physical custody with respect to a child or the allocation of parental responsibilities with respect to a child or visitation, parenting time, or grandparent or great-grandparent family time with respect to a child is an issue. The term includes a proceeding for divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, neglect, abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of parental rights, and protection from domestic violence and domestic abuse, in which the issue may appear. The term does not include a proceeding involving juvenile delinquency, except when such court is entering an order to allocate parental responsibilities, contractual emancipation, or enforcement under part 3 of this article 13.

(5) "Commencement" means the filing of the first pleading in a proceeding.

(6) "Court" means an entity authorized under the law of a state to establish, enforce, or modify a child-custody determination.

(7) (a) "Home state" means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as a parent for at least one hundred eighty-two consecutive days immediately before the commencement of a child-custody proceeding. In the case of a child less than six months of age, the term means the state in which the child lived from birth with any of the persons mentioned. A period of temporary absence of any of the mentioned persons is part of the period.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (7), "home state" does not mean a state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as a parent on a temporary basis as the result of an interim order entered pursuant to article 13.7 of this title.

(8) "Initial determination" means the first child-custody determination concerning a particular child.

(9) "Issuing court" means the court that makes a child-custody determination for which enforcement is sought under this article.

(10) "Issuing state" means the state in which a child-custody determination is made.

(11) "Modification" means a child-custody determination that changes, replaces, supersedes, or is otherwise made after a previous determination concerning the same child, whether or not it is made by the court that made the previous determination.

(12) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(13) "Person acting as a parent" means a person, other than a parent, who:

(a) Has physical custody of the child or has had physical custody for a period of one hundred eighty-two consecutive days, including any temporary absence, within one year immediately before the commencement of a child-custody proceeding; and

(b) Has been awarded legal custody or allocated parental responsibilities with respect to a child by a court or claims a right to legal custody or parental responsibilities under the law of this state.

(14) "Physical custody" means the physical care and supervision of a child.

(15) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(16) "Warrant" means an order issued by a court authorizing law enforcement officers to take physical custody of a child.
C.R.S. § 14-10-107 — CO Code / Title 14 / Article 10 / Section 14-10-107
14-10-107. Commencement - pleadings - abolition of existing defenses - automatic, temporary
Status: in_force

14-10-107. Commencement - pleadings - abolition of existing defenses - automatic, temporary injunction - enforcement. (1) All proceedings under this article shall be commenced in the manner provided by the Colorado rules of civil procedure.

(2) The petition in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation shall allege that the marriage is irretrievably broken and shall set forth:

(a) The residence of each party and the length of residence in this state;

(b) The date and place of the marriage;

(c) The date on which the parties separated;

(d) The names, ages, and addresses of any living children of the marriage and whether the wife is pregnant;

(e) Any arrangements as to the allocation of parental responsibilities with respect to the children of the marriage and support of the children and the maintenance of a spouse;

(f) The relief sought; and

(g) A written acknowledgment by the petitioner and the co-petitioner, if any, that he or she has received a copy of, has read, and understands the terms of the automatic temporary injunction required by paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of this section.

(2.5) Upon the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation pursuant to this article, each party shall provide to the court, in the manner prescribed by the court, his or her social security number and the social security number of each child named in the petition pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of this section.

(3) Either or both parties to the marriage may initiate the proceeding. In addition, a legal guardian, with court approval pursuant to section 15-14-315.5, C.R.S., or a conservator, with court approval pursuant to section 15-14-425.5, C.R.S., may initiate the proceeding. If a legal guardian or conservator initiates the proceeding, the legal guardian or conservator shall receive notice in the same manner as the parties to the proceeding.

(4) (a) Upon the commencement of a proceeding by one of the parties, or by a legal guardian or conservator of one of the parties, the other party shall be personally served in the manner provided by the Colorado rules of civil procedure, and he or she may file a response in accordance with such rules; except that, upon motion verified by the oath of the party commencing the proceeding or of someone in his or her behalf for an order of publication stating the facts authorizing such service, and showing the efforts, if any, that have been made to obtain personal service within this state, and giving the address or last-known address of each person to be served or stating that his or her address and last-known address are unknown, the court shall hear the motion ex parte and, if satisfied that due diligence has been used to obtain personal service within this state or that efforts to obtain the same would have been to no avail, shall order one publication of a consolidated notice in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the county in which the proceeding is filed, notwithstanding the provisions of article 70 of title 24. A consolidated notice shall be published at least once during a calendar month and shall list the proceedings filed subsequent to those named in the previously published consolidated notice, stating as to each proceeding the names of the parties, the action number, the nature of the action, that a copy of the petition and summons may be obtained from the clerk of the court during regular business hours, and that default judgment may be entered against that party upon whom service is made by such notice if he or she fails to appear or file a response within thirty-five days after the date of publication. Costs of publication of a consolidated notice may be assessed pro rata to each of the proceedings named in the notice; except that, if a party is indigent or otherwise unable to pay such publication costs, the costs shall be paid by the court from funds appropriated for the purpose. Service shall be complete upon such publication, and a response or appearance by the party served by publication under this subsection (4) shall be made within thirty-five days thereafter, or default judgment may be entered. No later than the day of publication, the clerk of the court shall also post for thirty-five consecutive days a copy of the process on a bulletin board in his or her office or on the website of the district court in which the case was filed and shall mail a copy of the process to the other party at his or her last-known address, and shall place in the file of the proceeding his or her certificate of posting and mailing. Proof of publication of the consolidated notice shall be by placing in the file a copy of the affidavit of publication, certified by the clerk of the court to be a true and correct copy of the original affidavit on file in the clerk's office.

(b) (I) Upon the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation by the petitioner or copetitioner or by a legal guardian or conservator on behalf of one of the parties and upon personal service of the petition and summons on the respondent or upon waiver and acceptance of service by the respondent, a temporary injunction shall be in effect against both parties until the final decree is entered or the petition is dismissed or until further order of the court:

(A) Restraining both parties from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or in any way disposing of, without the consent of the other party or an order of the court, any marital property, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life and requiring each party to notify the other party of any proposed extraordinary expenditures and to account to the court for all extraordinary expenditures made after the injunction is in effect;

(B) Enjoining both parties from molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party;

(C) Restraining both parties from removing the minor child or children of the parties, if any, from the state without the consent of the other party or an order of the court; and

(D) Restraining both parties, without at least fourteen days' advance notification and the written consent of the other party or an order of the court, from canceling, modifying, terminating, or allowing to lapse for nonpayment of premiums, any policy of health insurance, homeowner's or renter's insurance, or automobile insurance that provides coverage to either of the parties or the minor children or any policy of life insurance that names either of the parties or the minor children as a beneficiary.

(II) The provisions of the injunction shall be printed upon the summons and the petition and the injunction shall become an order of the court upon fulfillment of the requirements of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b). However, nothing in this paragraph (b) shall preclude either party from applying to the court for further temporary orders, an expanded temporary injunction, or modification or revocation under section 14-10-108.

(III) The summons shall contain the following advisements:

(A) That a request for genetic tests shall not prejudice the requesting party in matters concerning allocation of parental responsibilities pursuant to section 14-10-124 (1.5); and

(B) That, if genetic tests are not obtained prior to a legal establishment of paternity and submitted into evidence prior to the entry of the legal final decree of dissolution, the genetic tests may not be allowed into evidence at a later date.

(4.1) With regard to the automatic, temporary injunction that becomes effective in accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of this section when a petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation is filed and served, whenever there is exhibited by the respondent to any duly authorized peace officer as described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S., a copy of the petition and summons duly filed and issued pursuant to this section, or, in the case of the petitioner, a copy of the petition and summons duly filed and issued pursuant to this section, together with a certified copy of the affidavit of service of process or a certified copy of the waiver and acceptance of service, and the peace officer has cause to believe that a violation of that part of the automatic, temporary injunction which enjoins both parties from molesting the other party has occurred, such peace officer shall use every reasonable means to enforce that part of the injunction against the petitioner or respondent. A peace officer shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for his or her action pursuant to this subsection (4.1) if the action is in good faith and without malice.

(5) Defenses to divorce and legal separation existing prior to January 1, 1972, including but not limited to condonation, connivance, collusion, recrimination, insanity, and lapse of time, are hereby abolished.

(6) All issues raised by these proceedings shall be resolved by the court sitting without a jury.