A Parent’s Guide to Child Custody in Colorado

Don’t walk into court assuming good intentions are enough. Many well-meaning parents make costly mistakes during custody proceedings because they don’t fully understand how Colorado’s family courts operate. The result? Reduced parenting time, prolonged legal battles, and decisions that may not reflect your child’s true needs.

Before you make any custody decisions or agree to anything, it’s important to talk to a lawyer who focuses on family law. At the Law Office of Andrew Bryant, our experienced Colorado Springs child custody attorney helps parents protect their parental rights and create parenting plans that truly serve their children’s best interests. Whether you’re heading into your first hearing or dealing with a viol

ation, smart legal strategy can make all the difference.

What Is Child Custody in Colorado?

In Colorado, what most people call “custody” is legally known as the allocation of parental responsibilities. This includes two parts: who makes important decisions for the child, and how parenting time is shared.

Parental Decision-Making

This involves who gets to make major decisions about your child’s education, healthcare, and overall well-being. In Colorado, parents may share this responsibility or one parent may have sole authority, depending on what’s best for the child. Courts look at each parent’s ability to communicate and cooperate when assigning decision-making roles.

Parenting time covers when your child will be with each parent, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and school breaks. The court’s focus is on maintaining stability and strong relationships with both parents. A detailed schedule helps prevent conflict and keeps the child’s routine consistent.

The court focuses on the child’s best interests, not just what either parent wants. Judges consider the child’s relationship with each parent, each parent’s ability to care for the child, and how well the parents communicate. Every situation is different. Some families split responsibilities evenly. Others face safety concerns or communication issues. A trusted family law lawyer in Colorado can help you understand what applies to your case and advocate for a plan that works, especially here in Colorado Springs, where local court experience matters.

Understanding Parenting Time in Colorado

Parenting time is the schedule that shows when your child will be with each parent. Some families split time evenly, while others have one parent with the child more often. No matter the setup, Colorado courts aim to keep both parents involved in their child’s life as much as possible. When deciding on parenting time, the court looks at things like:

  • The bond between the child and each parent
  • How well the child is doing at home, in school, and in the community
  • Whether each parent can prioritize the child’s needs
  • Everyone’s physical and mental health

If you’re facing a custody issue, you don’t have to handle it alone. A trusted Colorado Springs child custody lawyer can protect your rights and focus on what matters most, your child.

What to Expect at the Initial Status Conference in a Colorado Custody Case

Once a child custody or divorce case is filed in Colorado, the court typically schedules an Initial Status Conference (ISC) within 42 days. This early hearing sets the foundation for how your case will move forward.

The ISC is an informal appearance with a court clerk and is almost always done virtually.  It is not done in a courtroom, and a judge will not be present.  You will not present your case in anyway during the ISC.  The clerk will set deadlines letting you know when financial disclosures need to be exchanged, a date you will need to have mediation scheduled by, and setting temporary orders related to custody or child support if either side requests a hearing.  Working with a knowledgeable Colorado Springs family law attorney during the ISC can help you understand what to expect and ensure you start the process on solid ground.

Legal Process for Child Custody in Colorado

Legal Process for Child Custody in Colorado

If you’re going through a custody case in Colorado, knowing what to expect can make a stressful situation more manageable. Whether part of a divorce or a separate custody action, understanding the process helps you stay prepared and focused on your child’s well-being. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

  • Filing a Petition: One parent files for divorce, legal separation, or a stand-alone custody case if the parents were never married.
  • Temporary Orders: Early in the case, the court may issue temporary orders for parenting time, child support, or decision-making after a contested hearing.
  • Parenting Classes: Most courts require both parents to complete a short co-parenting class to encourage cooperation and reduce conflict.
  • Mediation: Parents are generally required to try mediation before going to court. This gives both sides a chance to create a workable parenting plan.
  • Evaluation or Investigation: If there are serious disputes, the court may appoint a Child and Family Investigator (CFI) or Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (PRE) on their own, or the parties can request one be appointed as well.
  • Final Orders Hearing: If no agreement is reached, the court holds a hearing where a judge makes final decisions based on the child’s best interests.

Every case is different. A Colorado Springs child custody attorney can guide you through each stage, help you present your case clearly, and protect your relationship with your child.

How Colorado Courts Handle Custody for Unmarried Parents

Unmarried parents in Colorado have the same custody rights as married ones, but the legal steps are different. Before custody or support can be ordered, paternity must be established, either voluntarily or through DNA testing.

After that, either parent can file for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR), which covers parenting time and decision-making. Courts focus on the child’s best interests, not the parents’ relationship status. Without a court order, custody rights can be unclear and hard to enforce. A Colorado Springs child custody attorney from The Law Office of Andrew Bryant, can help protect your parental rights and secure a stable arrangement for your child.

Elements the Court Considers in Custody Decisions

In Colorado, custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child, as outlined in C.R.S. § 14-10-124. Courts look at a range of factors to decide parenting time and decision-making responsibilities. If you’re managing the hurdles of custody in Colorado Springs, knowing what the judge considers can help you and your lawyer build a stronger case. Key factors include:

  • Each parent’s wishes
  • The child’s preference (if old enough to express one)
  • How well each parent supports the child’s relationship with the other
  • Any history of abuse, neglect, or substance abuse
  • How close the parents live to each other

Importantly, Colorado courts do not give preference to mothers over fathers or vice versa. Both parents are treated equally under the law. Working with a family law lawyer in Colorado Springs can help you present a parenting plan that puts your child’s needs front and center, while protecting your role in their life.

Types of Custody Violations in Colorado

Even after a parenting plan is finalized, problems can still arise. Custody violations are not just frustrating, they can seriously impact your child’s well-being and disrupt the stability you’ve worked hard to create. Some common custody violations include:

  • Denied Parenting Time: One parent refuses to follow the agreed-upon schedule or blocks the other parent’s court-ordered time with the child.
  • Chronic Tardiness or No-Shows: Being late for exchanges or missing them altogether can create stress for the child and undermine the parenting arrangement.
  • Unilateral Decision-Making: A parent makes important decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, or activities without consulting the other parent, despite shared decision-making responsibilities.
  • Undermining the Other Parent: Badmouthing the other parent, interfering with communication, or encouraging the child to resist visits can harm the parent-child relationship.

If you’re dealing with custody violations in Colorado Springs, CO, you don’t have to face it alone. A skilled child custody attorney can help you take legal action to enforce your parenting plan or request modifications that better protect your child.

Documenting Custody Violations in Colorado Springs

Documenting Custody Violations in Colorado Springs

If your co-parent is ignoring the court-ordered parenting plan, it’s not enough to simply say so, you’ll need solid evidence. Proper documentation is one of the most effective tools in enforcing a custody order or requesting changes through the court. Here are key tips for documenting child custody violations in Colorado:

  • Keep a detailed parenting time journal
  • Save texts, emails, or voicemails showing interference
  • Log missed visits or delays
  • Note any inappropriate behavior or concerns

Detailed records can make a big difference. A Colorado Springs family law lawyer can use this information to build a strong case, whether you’re seeking enforcement, a custody modification, or court-imposed penalties for noncompliance.

When to Request a Custody Modification in Colorado Springs

Life doesn’t stay the same forever, and your custody agreement might need to change, too. Colorado courts understand that parenting plans sometimes need updates when a family’s circumstances shift in a significant and ongoing way. Here are some common situations that may justify a custody or parenting time modification:

  • Parental Relocation: If one parent is moving far enough to impact the current parenting schedule, a modification may be necessary to maintain stability for the child.
  • Changes in the Child’s Needs: Shifts in school schedules, medical conditions, or emotional health may require adjusting how time is shared between parents.
  • New Safety Concerns: If concerns arise about a parent’s behavior, environment, or ability to provide safe care, the court may consider revising the custody arrangement.
  • Noncompliance with the Current Order: If one parent continually ignores or violates the existing parenting plan, the other parent may seek to enforce or change it through the court.

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, a Colorado Springs child custody lawyer can evaluate your case and guide you through the process. Filing for a custody modification isn’t always easy, but having the right legal support can make all the difference.

Why You Need a Child Custody Attorney in Colorado Springs

Child custody cases are emotional, complex, and often life-changing. While your focus is on your children’s well-being, the legal system requires decisions that may affect your family for years to come. A Colorado Springs child custody lawyer can help you understand your rights, create a fair and workable parenting plan, and represent you during mediation or court proceedings.

If problems come up later, such as custody violations or changes in circumstances, your Colorado Springs, CO family law attorney can help enforce or modify the order. Your children deserve consistency, security, and the support of both parents. Having the right legal advocate can help protect that future.

Talk to a Colorado Springs Child Custody Attorney Today

Custody issues can feel overwhelming, especially when your child’s future is on the line. Whether you’re just beginning the process or you’re dealing with a difficult co-parent, you shouldn’t have to face it alone. Having the right support can ease the stress and help you make confident decisions for your family.

At The Law Office of Andrew Bryant, we’ve helped parents across Colorado Springs navigate custody disputes with clarity, strength, and care. We know how important your role is in your child’s life, and we’re here to protect it. Call (719) 634-7353 or contact us online to speak with a trusted Colorado Springs, CO child custody lawyer who will stand by your side every step of the way.