Custody in Colorado — What Parents Actually Need to Know

Every parent going through a custody case asks the same question first: what's normal? Here's a few answers to questions we get asked all the time.

What Are Typical Custody Arrangements in Colorado?

Colorado doesn't use the terms "custody" or "visitation" anymore. Instead, courts decide the allocation of parental responsibilities — who makes major decisions for the child, and how parenting time is divided. This shift matters because it reflects how judges actually think about these cases: not as a win-or-lose split, but as two separate questions — decision-making and time. Parenting time division is all about what is best for the children from an objective viewpoint, not whether mom or dad should get more time based on factors that don't really matter, like number of pets in the home or whether a parent lives in the city or country.

What's the Most Common Custody Schedule?

There's no single default schedule in Colorado, but a few patterns show up often in practice: a 50/50 split (alternating weeks, or a 2-2-3 rotation), or a majority-time arrangement where one parent has the child most of the time and the other has regular weekends and one weeknight. Judges weigh the child's age, each parent's work schedule, school logistics, and how the parents communicate. If you want to know where your case actually stands, that depends heavily on your specific facts, not on what a friend's case looked like.

CFI vs. PRE in Colorado: What's the Difference?

If your case involves disputes over parenting time or decision-making, the court may appoint one of two types of evaluators:

• CFI (Child and Family Investigator): A more limited, lower-cost investigation. A CFI interviews the parents and child, may talk to teachers or doctors, and submits a report with recommendations. CFIs are not required to hold a mental health license.

• PRE (Parental Responsibilities Evaluator): A more in-depth evaluation, usually conducted by a licensed mental health professional. PREs are used in more complex or high-conflict cases and often include psychological testing.

Both submit recommendations to the court, but a PRE carries more clinical weight and costs significantly more.

What Is Parental Alienation?

Parental alienation is when one parent's words or actions cause a child to unfairly reject or fear the other parent without legitimate justification. Courts take these allegations seriously, but they also scrutinize them carefully, since they can be misused in high-conflict cases. If you believe this is happening in your case, documentation and timing matter, so talk to an attorney before you act on your own.

Have questions about your custody case? Contact Justin Tucker Law to find out where your case actually stands.

Remember: Every situation is unique, and this article is for general information only -- it’s not legal advice. To discuss your specific case, contact us for a consultation.