{"id":371934,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-child-support-guidelines.html"},"modified":"2025-05-16T15:38:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T20:38:55","slug":"colorado-child-support-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-child-support-guidelines.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Child Support Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Child Support Guidelines<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Colorado has child support laws to ensure every child has an adequate standard for financial and emotional support from both parents. These guidelines ensure that children receive the same amount of child support as they would if they still lived with both parents. These laws provide a framework for calculating child support payments, considering factors such as parental income, custody arrangements<\/a>, and the child’s needs.<\/p>\r\n

Parents can create their own child support agreements<\/a>. However, if these agreements stray too far from the state guidelines, they won’t be approved by the court.<\/p>\r\n

Continue reading for a quick summary of child support guidelines in Colorado.<\/p>\r\n

When Does Child Support Occur?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Contrary to what some may think, even a joint legal custodian may pay support. While laws in some states still refer to the child support obligations of a noncustodial parent, it’s unusual for a court to deprive one parent entirely of custodial rights. On an exceedingly rare basis, courts assign sole legal or physical custody to one parent.<\/p>\r\n

In Colorado, for example, child support calculations <\/a>take into account the number of overnights each parent has with the child. These calculations are based on the schedule of basic child support obligations outlined in state guidelines. Once determined, a child support order is issued, establishing the amount of support one parent must pay. This court order ensures the financial needs of the child are met, reflecting both parents’ responsibilities.<\/p>\r\n

Calculating Child Support in Colorado<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Child support in Colorado is calculated using a detailed worksheet that incorporates the gross income of both parents, the number of children, and the division of parenting time. There is a Worksheet A <\/a>that is applicable for sole physical custody situations and a Worksheet B <\/a>for shared physical custody situations.<\/p>\r\n

Additional considerations include alimony, extraordinary medical expenses, and child care costs. The paying parent is determined based on these calculations, and the final child support order ensures that the child’s financial needs are adequately met.<\/p>\r\n

Child Support Statutes in Colorado<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The following table outlines Colorado’s Child Support laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Colorado Child Support Code Section<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

C.R.S. \u00a7 14-10-115<\/a>: Child Support Guidelines<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Who Is Responsible?<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Both parents are responsible.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

When Child Support May Be Terminated<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Under relevant parts of C.R.S. \u00a7 14-10-115<\/a>, child support obligations terminate when the following occur:<\/p>\r\n

Factors in Determining Child Support Amounts<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Under C.R.S. \u00a7 14-10-115<\/a>, the following are examples of what courts consider as relevant factors in their determinations of support amounts:<\/p>\r\n

What Is Included in a Support Order?<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Included in support orders are child care expenses, health insurance coverage, medical expenses, educational expenses, and travel expenses.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

How To File For Child Support in Colorado<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If you are seeking child support in Colorado, the Colorado Division of Child Support Services <\/a>can be your resource for:<\/p>\r\n