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Colorado family-law guide · reviewed August 22, 2026

Colorado Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Current, source-linked Colorado terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.

Legal information, not legal advice. Colorado law and local practice can change. Verify forms, fees, filing methods, service, and hearing procedure with the district court clerk receiving your case.

Colorado terminology

Allocation of parental responsibilities

The court's determination of parenting time and decision-making responsibilities in the child's best interests.

Parenting time

Where the child lives and the schedule — the Colorado term for the time a child spends with each parent.

Decision-making responsibilities

Who makes major decisions for the child (education, health care, religious upbringing) — sole or joint.

Best interests

The standard; decided on all relevant factors, giving paramount consideration to the child's safety (C.R.S. § 14-10-124).

Core rules

  • Colorado uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' (parenting time + decision-making responsibilities) — not 'custody' as the operative framework
  • There is no presumption for or against either parent; parenting time and decision-making are decided on the child's best interests
  • Both parties may submit a parenting plan for the court's approval; if none is approved, the court formulates one (C.R.S. § 14-10-124(7))
  • No party receives a preference based on gender
  • There is no fixed 50/50 presumption and no overnight formula that converts a schedule into a parenting-time right
  • In contested cases the court may require mediation

Support and modification cautions

Colorado uses the Income Shares model for child support — not a flat percentage of one parent's income. The court combines both parents' adjusted gross income and reads the basic obligation from the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations (C.R.S. § 14-10-115 / CO Child Support Guidelines, updated by HB 25-1159 eff. 3/1/2026). An allocation of parental responsibilities order may be modified upon a substantial and continuing change of circumstances (C.R.S. § 14-10-122).

Official sources reviewed August 22, 2026

Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the Colorado District Court clerk handling your case.

Confirm current court fees and deadlines. Court fees, filing and response deadlines, hearing timing, notice periods, and local procedures can change or vary by Colorado county and court. Before relying on any amount or time period on this page, confirm the current amount or deadline with the court or clerk handling your case.