HOW DO COLORADO CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS WORK?
Colorado child support orders are entered by a court, in a divorce, legal separation, parental responsibilities or parentage case, or through an administrative process run by county child support services. Either way, the amount comes from the state guidelines, payment usually runs through an income assignment and the Family Support Registry, and support that is not paid becomes a judgment that can be enforced.
Enforcement is handled by county child support services offices, which are part of the state's child support program under the Colorado Department of Human Services, and by the courts. The Colorado Attorney General is not the state's child support enforcement agency, whatever some older articles online say.
This article explains how an order is entered, what it contains, how payment works, what can happen when support is not paid, and what to do if you are the parent who cannot pay.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How a Child Support Order Gets Entered
- What a Child Support Order Contains
- Income Assignments and Wage Withholding
- Paying Through the Family Support Registry
- What Happens When Child Support Is Not Paid
- If You Cannot Pay Child Support
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Talking With a Colorado Springs Child Support Lawyer
- Sources
HOW A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER GETS ENTERED
There are three main routes to a Colorado child support order. Whichever route applies, the amount is calculated under the same guidelines, which are explained in our overview of child support in Colorado.
In a Dissolution, Legal Separation or Parental Responsibilities Case
Most orders come out of a district court case. In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, maintenance or child support, C.R.S. 14-10-115 says the court shall, to the extent allowable within its jurisdiction, order either or both parents to pay an amount reasonable or necessary for the child's support. In El Paso and Teller counties, those cases are heard in the Fourth Judicial District.
Parents who were never married often ask for support in a case about the allocation of parental responsibilities, which most people call child custody. The court can also order support for a period before the first order, which is covered in retroactive child support in Colorado.
In a Parentage Case
When the legal parents of a child have not been established, a parentage case under Title 19, Article 4 decides parentage and can set support. Under C.R.S. 19-4-116, the judgment can address support, parental responsibilities and parenting time. Support ordered under that section continues until the child turns 19 unless a court order ends it sooner, and the court may continue it past 19 for a child who cannot care for themselves because of a mental or physical disability, or for another reason the court finds justifiable.
The Judicial Branch currently lists the fee for a parentage action at $268. Parentage can also be established by a signed acknowledgment of parentage or through county child support services.
Through County Child Support Services
Either parent can apply for services from county child support services, and applying is free. The county can establish parentage and a support order through the administrative process in Title 26, Article 13.5, without either parent opening a regular court case.
The county starts by serving a notice of financial responsibility under C.R.S. 26-13.5-103, which proposes support based on the guidelines. The parent who receives it must appear at a negotiation conference, held no more than 35 days after the notice is issued, unless that parent reschedules or requests a court hearing in writing beforehand.
If the parties agree, the county issues an order. If the parent served does not respond, the county issues a default order, and if there is no agreement the matter goes to the district court for a hearing. Under C.R.S. 26-13.5-105, an administrative order has all the force, effect and remedies of a court order, including contempt.
When Parents Agree
Parents can agree on support, but an agreement is not an order until the court or the county approves it. The guidelines still apply, and an agreed amount that departs from them needs the court's approval.
WHAT A CHILD SUPPORT ORDER CONTAINS
Colorado support orders are entered on Judicial Branch forms such as the Support Order, JDF 1117. A typical order includes:
- The names and dates of birth of the parents and the children, and the parents' residential and mailing addresses
- The monthly support amount and when it starts
- Any retroactive support for an earlier period, with the dates it covers
- An income assignment, and where payments must be sent, usually the Family Support Registry
- Which parent provides health insurance for the children, and how uninsured medical expenses are shared
- A written advisement of the parents' rights and duties
C.R.S. 14-10-115 requires that advisement to explain enforcement remedies, how income assignments work, interest on arrears, proof of payment, the basis for a modification, the need for court or administrative approval of any change, the effect of emancipation, and the effect of spousal maintenance. Read it carefully, because it states your obligations under the order.
INCOME ASSIGNMENTS AND WAGE WITHHOLDING
Under C.R.S. 14-14-111.5, a new or modified support order is to be activated immediately as an income assignment. The paying parent's employer withholds support from wages and sends it to the Family Support Registry.
The statute allows exceptions. The court or the county can find good cause, with a written explanation, that immediate activation would not serve the child's best interests, or both parents can reach a written agreement for another arrangement that the court approves on the record.
Once served with the notice, the employer must begin withholding no later than the first pay period that begins at least 14 calendar days later, and must forward each payment within seven working days. The employer may charge a processing fee of up to $5 a month, withholding is subject to the limits in Colorado's garnishment law, and an employer may not fire, refuse to hire or discipline a worker because of an income assignment.
PAYING THROUGH THE FAMILY SUPPORT REGISTRY
The Family Support Registry is Colorado's central system for processing child support and maintenance payments. Under C.R.S. 26-13-114, it receives, processes and disburses payments and keeps a record of them, and a copy of that record is admissible in court as proof of payments made through the registry.
Payments go through the registry in cases with county child support services, when the court orders it, and when support is paid by income assignment. If your order says to pay through the registry, pay that way, because the paying parent is responsible for proving payment.
Payments continue until the order is changed with the approval of the court or county child support services. A private agreement to pay less, or to pay in cash, does not change what the order requires.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHILD SUPPORT IS NOT PAID
Under C.R.S. 14-10-122, each payment becomes a final money judgment, called a support judgment, when it is due and not paid. Interest can be added under C.R.S. 14-14-106: for arrears due on or after July 1, 2021, the rate is two percent above the 8% statutory rate in C.R.S. 5-12-101, or 10% a year, which may be compounded annually.
For arrears due before that date, the statute sets 12% a year, which may be compounded monthly, and it adds that after July 1, 2021, interest on child support arrears accrues at the 10% rate. The parent owed the money may waive interest, and the paying parent can ask the court to disallow or reduce it for good cause.
Collection can happen through the court, through county child support services, or both. The table lists the main tools and where they come from.
| Tool | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Income assignment | The employer withholds support from wages and pays the registry | C.R.S. 14-14-111.5 |
| Continuing garnishment | A writ of garnishment on earnings to collect a support judgment continues until the judgment is satisfied or released | C.R.S. 14-14-105 |
| Contempt of court | The court can hold a parent in contempt for not paying, and can issue a warrant if the parent fails to appear after personal service | C.R.S. 14-14-110; C.R.C.P. 107 |
| Liens | Past-due support can become a lien on real property, and the statute also addresses motor vehicle liens | C.R.S. 14-10-122 |
| State income tax refund offset | Past-due support is taken from a state tax refund after written notice | C.R.S. 26-13-111 |
| Federal tax refund intercept | Federal law requires a tax refund to be intercepted when a case has arrears | Colorado Child Support Services |
| Lottery winnings offset | State lottery winnings are applied to support owed | C.R.S. 26-13-118 |
| Bank account lien and levy | Funds in a financial institution account are surrendered to the registry | C.R.S. 26-13-122.3 |
| Workers' compensation lien | Workers' compensation benefits owed to the paying parent are withheld | C.R.S. 26-13-122 |
| Driver's license suspension | The license can be suspended after notice and a chance for administrative review | C.R.S. 26-13-123 |
| Professional, occupational and recreational licenses | These licenses can be denied, suspended or revoked under state rules | C.R.S. 26-13-126 |
| Credit reporting | Support obligations can be reported to consumer reporting agencies after advance notice | C.R.S. 26-13-116 |
Most of the administrative tools are used by the state and county child support program in cases open with child support services. The parent who owes support generally receives notice and a chance to object or ask for review before these tools take effect.
Contempt
A parent who is owed support can file a motion asking the court to hold the other parent in contempt. Under C.R.S. 14-14-110, evidence of nonpayment, such as a copy of the Family Support Registry's payment record or a clerk's certified payment record, is prima facie evidence of contempt. The court may consider whether payment was made before the hearing, or whether physical incapacity or other good cause prevented payment.
Contempt procedure follows Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 107, which separates remedial sanctions, meant to force compliance with an order, from punitive sanctions. In a 2024 child support case, In re Marriage of Conners, 2024 CO 44, the Colorado Supreme Court held that the contempt citation must be physically served on the parent accused, so email or substituted service is not enough. Our article on contempt of court in Colorado Springs explains how those proceedings work.
Who Enforces Child Support in Colorado
Colorado Child Support Services is the state program, and individual cases are handled by county child support offices. A parent can apply for enforcement services at no cost, or can enforce the order through a filing in the court case.
The Colorado Child Support Services enforcement page notes that unpaid child support does not go away and that interest may be added to the balance. Enforcement can include both court actions and administrative actions taken without formal court proceedings.
IF YOU CANNOT PAY CHILD SUPPORT
A job loss, an injury or a cut in hours does not change your order by itself. Take these steps as soon as you can.
- Ask to modify promptly. A modification of a court order is generally effective only back to the date the motion is filed, and a change to an order the county entered administratively reaches back only to the date of the request, so every month you wait is a month owed at the old amount. See how to modify a Colorado child support order.
- Keep paying what you can, through the registry. Partial payments are recorded and reduce what you owe.
- Contact your county child support office if your case is open there. Colorado Child Support Services asks parents who cannot pay the full amount to contact the county office as soon as possible, and a payment plan approved by the county can lead to reinstatement of a suspended driver's license.
- Do not rely on side agreements. An informal agreement with the other parent does not change the order or stop arrears from building.
- Raise good cause where the law allows it. You can ask the court to disallow or reduce interest for good cause under C.R.S. 14-14-106, and in a contempt case the court may consider whether physical incapacity or other good cause prevented payment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who Enforces Child Support in Colorado?
County child support services offices, under the state's Colorado Child Support Services program, enforce support in cases open with them, and either parent can also go to court. The Colorado Attorney General is not the state's child support enforcement agency.
Do I Have to Pay Through the Family Support Registry?
You must if your order requires it, if support is paid by income assignment, or if your case is open with county child support services. Paying through the registry creates a record that is admissible in court as proof of payment.
How Soon Does Wage Withholding Start After an Order?
Most orders are activated as income assignments immediately. Once the employer is served, withholding must begin no later than the first pay period that begins at least 14 calendar days later.
Can I Stop Paying Child Support If I Lose My Job?
No. The order stays in effect until it is formally changed, so ask to modify it promptly and keep paying what you can.
Does Unpaid Child Support Go Away?
No. Each missed payment becomes a support judgment when it is due and not paid, and interest can be added under C.R.S. 14-14-106, at 10% a year for arrears due on or after July 1, 2021.
TALKING WITH A COLORADO SPRINGS CHILD SUPPORT LAWYER
Whether you need a first order, are owed months of support, or cannot keep up with payments, the earlier you act the more options you usually have. A Colorado Springs child support attorney can review your order, your payment history and the enforcement steps already underway.
Moran, Allen & Associates Family Law Attorneys works with parents in El Paso County and Teller County. Call (719) 447-0762 in Colorado Springs or (719) 686-7554 in Woodland Park, or schedule a consultation to talk through your situation. You can also browse more articles on child support.
This article is general information about Colorado law as of October 2026 and is not legal advice. Laws, fees and agency procedures change, so speak with a licensed Colorado attorney about your own situation.
SOURCES
- C.R.S. 14-10-115, Child Support Guidelines
- C.R.S. 14-10-122, Modification and Support Judgments
- C.R.S. 14-14-105, Continuing Garnishment
- C.R.S. 14-14-106, Interest on Child Support Arrearages
- C.R.S. 14-14-110, Contempt of Court
- C.R.S. 14-14-111.5, Income Assignments
- C.R.S. 5-12-101, Legal Rate of Interest
- C.R.S. 19-4-116, Parentage Judgment or Order
- C.R.S. 26-13-111, State Income Tax Refund Offset
- C.R.S. 26-13-114, Family Support Registry
- C.R.S. 26-13-116, Consumer Reporting Agencies
- C.R.S. 26-13-118, Lottery Winnings Offset
- C.R.S. 26-13-122, Administrative Lien and Attachment
- C.R.S. 26-13-122.3, Lien and Levy of Financial Institution Accounts
- C.R.S. 26-13-123, Driver's License Suspension
- C.R.S. 26-13-126, Professional, Occupational and Recreational Licenses
- C.R.S. 26-13.5-103, Notice of Financial Responsibility
- C.R.S. 26-13.5-105, Negotiation Conference and Administrative Orders
- Colorado Supreme Court, In re Marriage of Conners, 2024 CO 44 (C.R.C.P. 107 service in a child support contempt case)
- Colorado Judicial Branch, JDF 1117 Support Order
- Colorado Judicial Branch, List of Fees
- Colorado Child Support Services, Family Support Registry
- Colorado Child Support Services, Enforcing Orders
- Colorado Child Support Services, Apply for Services
- Colorado Child Support Services, Parentage
- Colorado Child Support Services, Frequently Asked Questions