Child Support Past 18 in Colorado: High School Graduation and Age Limits
In Colorado, child support for orders entered on or after July 1, 1997 ends without a motion when the last or only child turns 19, not 18. If the child is still in high school it runs to the end of the month after graduation, with a cap of 21 for a child who re-enrolls.
What is the child support age limit in Colorado?
Nineteen, not eighteen. For child support orders entered on or after July 1, 1997, unless a court finds the child otherwise emancipated, emancipation occurs and support terminates without either party filing a motion when the last or only child attains nineteen years of age (C.R.S. 14-10-115(13)(a)). The statute ties termination to the last or only child.
Does child support stop at 18 in Colorado?
No, unless the order says so or the child is otherwise emancipated: a child who turns 18 is still within the statute until 19. Earlier emancipation comes from marriage or active military duty, and the parties can agree otherwise in a written stipulation.
Does child support continue through high school in Colorado?
Yes. If the child is still in high school or an equivalent program, support continues until the end of the month following graduation. A child who ceases to attend before graduation and later re-enrolls is entitled to support on re-enrollment and until the end of the month following graduation, but not beyond age 21 (13)(a)(III). A concurrent enrollment program does not count as an equivalent program, and a child in one is emancipated once the child completes the local education provider’s minimum high school graduation requirements (HB25-1159).
What date does Colorado child support end? Examples
The usual end date for the last or only child is the 19th birthday, and the re-enrollment cap is the 21st:
| Child born | Support usually ends (age 19) | Re-enrollment cap (age 21) |
|---|---|---|
| March 15, 2012 | March 15, 2031 | March 15, 2033 |
| August 31, 2010 | August 31, 2029 | August 31, 2031 |
| November 2, 2015 | November 2, 2034 | November 2, 2036 |
Try your own date in the Colorado child support end date calculator.
How do the high school rules work in practice?
| Situation | What the statute says |
|---|---|
| Still in high school or an equivalent program when the child turns 19 | Support continues until the end of the month following graduation |
| Stopped attending and later re-enrolled | Supported on re-enrollment until the end of the month following graduation, but not beyond 21 |
| In a concurrent enrollment program | Not an equivalent program; emancipated once the child completes the provider’s minimum high school graduation requirements |
What if there are several children?
The statute ties automatic termination to the last or only child, so an order for several children does not automatically shrink when the oldest turns 19. To reduce the amount when one child is emancipated, ask the court; the 10% rule in the modification rules applies to the new calculation.
What if my order says something different?
Support can end at a different time if the parties agreed in a written stipulation after July 1, 1997, so read the order. Orders entered before July 1, 1997 follow subsection (15), which has different postsecondary education rules.
Do arrears end when child support ends?
No. Each payment that became a final money judgment stays owed. See the Colorado child support arrears calculator and whether arrears expire.
Frequently asked questions
Does child support end at 18 in Colorado?
No. For orders entered on or after July 1, 1997 it ends when the last or only child turns 19, unless an exception applies.
Does Colorado child support continue through high school?
Yes, until the end of the month following graduation.
What is the age 21 limit in Colorado child support?
A child who stops attending high school and later re-enrolls is supported until the end of the month following graduation, but not beyond age 21.
Does Colorado child support drop when the oldest of several children turns 19?
Not automatically; termination is tied to the last or only child, so you must ask the court to modify the order.
Do arrears end when Colorado support ends?
No. Payments that became final money judgments remain owed.
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
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
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.