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Colorado Child Support Laws

Colorado child support is based upon written guidelines. A Colorado court may order reasonable and necessary child support based on the following factors:

• the financial resources of the child;

• the financial resources of the custodial parents;

• the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the marriage had not been dissolved;

• the physical and emotional conditions and educational needs of the child; and

• the financial resources and needs of the non-custodial parent.

The Court may also provide for medical insurance coverage. Parents cannot be compelled to pay for the college education of their children. For Colorado child support orders entered on or after July 1, 1997, child support terminates when the child attains the age of 19 unless one or more of the following conditions exist: (1) the parties agree otherwise in a written stipulation after July 1, 1997; (2) a child is mentally or physically disabled and the court orders child support to continue beyond the age of 19; and (3) if a child is still in high school or an equivalent program. When a child is still in high school or an equivalent program, support will continue until the end of the month following graduation.

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