Establishing Support Orders

judge with law book and gavel

The Child Support Unit can help establish an Order to pay child support in one of two ways.

  • Administrative Process Action (APA) - This is an expedited legal procedure done in our office. This Order, based on the appropriate child support guidelines, has the same effect as one established in Court. It is legally binding on the parties concerned.

  • Orders obtained by Court Action – A child support hearing is held when a party disagrees with a proposed action by the County or directly petitions the Court for a hearing. A judge or magistrate decides whether to issue a support order.

To determine the amount of support a parent is required to pay, the Child Support Unit or the Court will follow the Colorado Child Support Guidelines Both parties must provide verification of their income and provide their most recent income tax returns.

Additional information available at Colorado Office of Economic Security, Establishing Support 

Changing A Support Order

Either party may request a review of their Child Support Order. The request MUST be made in writing, and should state the reason a change is being requested. Before we can begin to process a request, we must have your notarized income and expense affidavit and supporting documents.

calculator on money Some reasons to request a review are:

  • You or the other parent has had a significant change in income.

  • There has been a significant change in the cost of raising the children, such as healthcare costs, daycare costs or extraordinary medical expenses.

  • A change in the number of overnights either party has with the children.

  • One of the children has emancipated, but your Order is for a fixed amount for all children on your case.

The Order may not be changed UNLESS:

  • The dollar amount of the order changes by 10% or more, OR

  • Medical insurance coverage is ordered or changed.

The modification review uses the current income of both parties. The Colorado State Guidelines will be used to determine the new support amount. The order amount may go up, down, or stay the same depending on the circumstances of both parties. To request a review, the form is found in the column to the right, as well as on the forms page and on the state website for child support. We cannot do the review for you unless you have a case with us in Child Support Services.

Enforcing Support Orders

locking hands When a Child Support Order has been obtained, the next step is to enforce the Order. The primary goal is to ensure that monthly child support is paid.

Once the parent is located, Child Support Services will do everything possible to ensure that payments are as consistent as possible.

Alimony (spousal maintenance) will be enforced when it is included in the Child Support Order and current support is still owed.

The approach taken in your case is at the discretion of the Child Support staff and will be determined on a case-by-case basis to effectively serve you.

Certain situations may require us to take actions to enforce payment of a child support obligation. Some of the enforcement remedies available include:

  • Professional Occupational License Suspension 
  • Recreational License Suspension
  • Worker's Compensation Benefit Attachment
  • Bank Attachment
  • Driver's License Suspension
  • Income Assignment
  • Unemployment Attachment
  • Passport Denial
  • Federal Tax Offset
  • State Revenue Tax Offset
  • Lottery Intercept
  • Gambling Intercept
  • Credit Bureau Reporting
  • Judgments
  • Liens
  • Contempt

Additional information is available at the Colorado Office of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services 

Establishing Support

State Resources

Enforcing Support Orders

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