Best interests: The basics of child custody in Colorado

Judges construct their decisions concerning child custody based on the best interest of the children, in the instance that divorcing parents cannot come into an agreement regarding a parenting plan, and instead head to a Colorado court for a ruling on parenting arrangements.


Colorado law acknowledges that it is normally in a child’s best interest to have continual contact with both parents. In addition, the law in the state recognizes the need for both of them to participate in child-rearing. Neither parent starts with a more considerable right to custody than the other. Maintaining counsels from factors laid out in state law, judges can make provisions for any factor pertinent to custody. Relevant factors are divided into three fundamental categories, such as health and safety, emotional and development needs, and parenting classes and mediation.


It is important to consider the child’s physical health and safety, even while securing regular contact with both parents. Judges will take into consideration any issues that can make an impact on the child’s physical well-being, which may comprise of evidence that a parent is guilty of child abuse, domestic violence, or child neglect. A judge may require supervision during a visitation, and in radical cases, a parent may be refused contact totally.

Judges presume parents to place their child’s emotional and developmental needs first, and will deliberate on the degree to which a parent has dedicated time to a child and given the child emotional support. Colorado law puts primacy on each parent’s capacity and readiness to promote a positive bond, securing continual communication between the child and the other parent.


Marrison Family Law is an award-winning firm in Colorado Springs, as ranked among the top 100 lawyers in America by The National Advocates. It is also the largest firm in the Pikes Peak area that exclusively focuses on family law. Head over to this blog for more updates from Marrison Family Law.