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Relocating With a Child in Colorado:
A Plain-English Guide for Separated Parents

Colorado Child Relocation State Laws

Right to Live Where you Want

Based on Federal Law, you have the right to live where you want even if you share custody. If you have a child in [state] and are divorcing or establishing child custody the court must fashion any parenting plan around where the parents want to live. But if custody has already been established in [State] one parent can still petition the court for permission to relocate with their child and the other parent can object to their child moving. When the parents can not agree it will be left up to a judge to decide if the child relocates or not.

Any move that "substantially changes the geographical ties between the child and the other parent.” C.R.S. § 14-10-129(1)(a)(II)

Not if it meets the legal definition relocation. You’ll need permission from the other parent or a court order.

When parents cannot agree, a judge will decide based on Colorado laws. C.R.S. § 14-10-129 and § 14-10-124

Relocating With Your Child During Divorce or Paternity (Pre-Decree)

Requests to relocate during an initial case are decided by the judge pursuant to the best interests of the child C.R.S. 14-10-124. The judge will want to hear from each parent regarding the following factors:

  • Wishes of the parents
  • Wishes of the child when mature enough
  • Physical and mental health
  • Past pattern of involvement
  • How the child has been prioritized
  • Any domestic violence
  • The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school and community
  • and much, much more.

There are additional factors the judge may consider in your case when determining a parent’s request to relocate with the child. There are also additional matters to consider, such as dividing property pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-113 and if maintenance should be awarded and paid pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-114.

Relocating During Divorce or Paternity Cases? Get Legal Rules & Expert Help Here
Moving After Custody in Colorado? What You Need to Know About Parenting Plan Modications

After child custody has been established and a parent in Colorado wants to relocate with the child, a legal process needs to be followed.

When the parents agree to the relocation then a new parenting plan should be drafted pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-129 and submitted to the court for approval. Even when the parents agree, it is important to ensure the new parenting plan and the child’s relationship with each parent continues to be strong and healthy. Learn more about long distance parenting plans here: Building a Long-Distance Parenting Plan That Works.

When the parents do not agree, the court must decide based on Colorado’s unique post-decree child relocation laws as detailed in C.R.S. 14-10-129. The Court will consider the best interest factors plus additional factors such as:

  • Reasons the parents want to move
  • Reasons the parent opposes the move
  • Absence or presence of extended family
  • Quality of education at each location
  • And much, much more

If a child relocation will be granted in your case or if it will be denied is up to the judge, and the evidence each parent presents. Child relocation cases after custody has been established in Colorado may be highly scrutinized and carefully considered by the judge, as these types of case are so life-changing for everyone involved.

Relocating With Shared Custody in Colorado? Learn the Law & Get Expert Help
Roles of Professionals in Child Relocation Cases in State

In Colorado, the court can appoint dierent professionals to help gather information and make recommendations in relocation and custody cases. These experts are neutral and focus on what is in your child’s best interests.

Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (PRE)

A mental health professional who conducts a detailed investigation into parenting issues under C.R.S. § 14-10-127. In a relocation case, a PRE can compare the child’s situation in the current and proposed locations, evaluate each parent’s strengths, and make recommendations to the judge. PREs may include psychological testing and in-depth interviews.

Child and Family Investigator (CFI)

A lower-cost option under C.R.S. § 14-10-116.5. A CFI can be an attorney or mental health professional who interviews the parents, the child (if appropriate), and other important people, then reports to the court on what arrangement would be best for the child. CFIs generally focus on the key issues in dispute and do not conduct psychological testing.

Parenting Coordinator (PC)

A neutral professional under C.R.S. § 14-10-128.1 who helps parents resolve conicts and work through day-to-day parenting issues after a court order is in place.

Decision-Maker (DM)

A neutral under C.R.S. § 14-10-128.3 who can make binding decisions on smaller parenting disputes (within the scope of the existing orders). A DM can be useful after relocation to resolve disagreements about the schedule, travel logistics, or other details without returning to court.

These professionals do not replace the judge, but their reports and decisions can carry signicant weight and help keep the focus on what will work best for your child.

Mediation

In Colorado, most family law cases — including relocation requests — require parents to try mediation before going to a contested hearing. Mediation is a condential process where a neutral third party helps you and the other parent work toward an agreement. Under C.R.S. § 13-22-311 and Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 16.2, courts can order parties in domestic relations cases to attend mediation before scheduling a nal hearing.

Mediation can cover parenting time, decision-making, travel arrangements, and other details related to a relocation. While you are not required to reach an agreement, you are required to participate in good faith if ordered. If you do agree on a plan, the mediator can help put it in writing so it can be submitted to the court for approval. This process often saves time, reduces stress, and gives parents more control over the outcome instead of leaving the decision entirely to a judge.

Child Support & Long-Distance Travel Costs in Colorado

When parents live far apart, the cost of travel for parenting time can be a signicant issue. Colorado law specically allows courts to consider these expenses when setting or modifying child support.

How Travel Costs are Allocated

Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115(11)(a)(II), a judge may adjust child support when a parent is responsible for substantial or variable travel expenses to exercise parenting time. The court can order one or both parents to share costs in a manner that is fair, taking into account each parent’s income and the overall parenting plan. Travel costs may include: • Airfare • Gas or mileage reimbursement • Lodging • Baggage fees • Tolls or other reasonable transportation expenses

Factors Colorado Courts Consider

Distance between residences and available transportation options. • Each parent’s nancial circumstances and ability to pay. • Frequency and necessity of long-distance parenting time. • Whether travel costs are essential to maintain a meaningful relationship between the child and both parents.

Legal Reference

C.R.S. § 14-10-115(11)(a)(II) — “Extraordinary expenses incurred for transportation of the child for purposes of parenting time may be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross income, or in such other manner as the court deems equitable.”

Colorado Judicial & Local Resources

Colorado oers a variety of resources through its Judicial Branch and local government oces to assist with divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, or post-decree modications.

In addition to statewide tools, your city or county government may have self-help centers, forms, or mediation services.

Start with the links below and contact your local court or government oce for location-specic information.

Colorado Judicial Branch
Access statewide forms, instructions, ling fees, and procedural rules. Family Law Forms & Instructions
Includes dissolution of marriage/civil union, allocation of parental Self Help / Representing Yourself
Guides for individuals without attorneys. Find Your Judicial District & Courthouse
Search by county to locate your district court, addresses, and contact
Planes, Trains & Custody in Colorado

Learn more in our free podcast: Planes, Trains and Custody Claims – Colorado’s Child Relocation Laws, where we discuss Colorado’s child relocation laws when a parent is divorcing, separating or modifying child custody.

Don’t miss our other podcasts with interviews and practical tips for Child Relocation.

Continuing Legal Education: Attorneys, Mediators & Paralegals

Education Center

As part of our [title TBD] program focused on child relocations in Colorado, this course examines the application of the “best interests of the child” standard, the integration of psychological perspectives, and the attorney’s role across all phases of relocation litigation—from pre-ling considerations through courtroom advocacy.

Emphasizing Colorado statutory and case law, alongside ethical frameworks and applied case scenarios, the training is designed to strengthen the capacity of experienced family law practitioners to protect child welfare while eectively representing parental interests in relocation proceedings.

Review the Course Syllabus Register for Class Today

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