College and Adult Child Support in Colorado: Post-Secondary and Disabled Adult Children

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Child support for college in Colorado is available only by a court-approved written agreement for orders entered on or after July 1, 1997. A court or the enforcement unit can order support, including medical support, to continue past 19 for a disabled child.

Does child support cover college in Colorado?

Not by court order, for support orders entered on or after July 1, 1997. Those orders are governed by the emancipation rule in subsection (13)(a), under which support terminates at 19 unless an exception applies, and nothing in it provides for postsecondary education support. Parents can, however, agree in a written stipulation or agreement to continue child support beyond 19 or to provide for postsecondary education expenses and set out how they are paid; if the court approves it and makes it part of the decree, it is enforced as the statute provides (C.R.S. 14-10-115(13)(b)).

What about orders entered before July 1, 1997?

Subsection (15) applies to child support obligations established or modified before July 1, 1997. It lets a court, if it finds it appropriate for the parents to contribute to postsecondary education, end child support and order both parents to contribute a reasonable sum, limited to the schedule amount for the number of children, with a limit of the child’s 21st birthday or completion of an undergraduate degree. This rarely applies today (14-10-115(15)).

Is there child support for a disabled adult child in Colorado?

Yes. If the child is mentally or physically disabled, the court or the delegate child support enforcement unit may order child support, including payments for medical expenses or insurance or both, to continue beyond the age of nineteen (13)(a)(II). The HB25-1159 guideline update also lets extraordinary medical expenses include disability-related expenses for adults and children eligible for long-term services and supports who are not emancipated under that exception (HB25-1159).

What should the parent of a disabled child do?

1. Talk to a licensed Colorado attorney well before the 19th birthday.
2. Gather medical and financial records showing the disability and the need for continued support.
3. Ask the court or the enforcement unit for an order that continues support, including medical support.
4. Keep the payment and assignment history.

What does an approved college agreement look like?

The statute says the agreement can continue child support beyond 19 or provide for postsecondary education expenses and set out the details of how they are paid. If the court approves it and makes it part of a decree of dissolution of marriage or legal separation, it is enforced as the statute on enforcement of decree terms provides (14-10-112). Because a court cannot add college support to a post-1997 order on its own, the agreement is where the amount, the schools, the deadlines and what happens if the child leaves school belong.

Can parents agree to pay for college in Colorado?

Yes, by a written stipulation or agreement approved by the court. Put the details of payment in the agreement and have an attorney review how it would be enforced.

So when does support end for most children?

For most children it is the 19th birthday of the last or only child, or the end of the month after high school graduation. Use the Colorado child support end date calculator.

What about unpaid support from before the end?

It stays owed: see whether Colorado arrears expire or can be forgiven.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• C.R.S. 14-10-115: emancipation, postsecondary education and the guidelines
• C.R.S. 14-10-122: termination on emancipation
• HB25-1159: concurrent enrollment and emancipation (signed)
• C.R.S. 14-10-115 (Colorado Public Law)
• Colorado Judicial Branch: child support forms

This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Colorado statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Colorado attorney.