When you face a move as a parent in Colorado, questions about child custody and relocation can quickly become overwhelming. Every decision affects your child, your future, and your relationships. Relocating as a parent isn’t just about logistics—it’s about following specific legal steps and showing the court that your choices serve your child’s best interests. At The Gasper Law Group, we serve families in Colorado Springs and across Southern Colorado, including military families and blended households. We help guide you through Colorado’s relocation child custody laws and ensure your family’s needs and legal rights remain at the forefront of the process.
What Legal Steps Does a Parent Need to Take Before Relocating with a Child in Colorado?
In Colorado, a parent with joint or shared custody cannot just pack up and move with a child. State law requires you to notify the other parent in writing before any relocation that significantly changes the child’s home environment or the distance between parents. This written notice must include your proposed new address, the reason for relocating, and a suggested revised parenting plan. Courts recommend sending this notice proactively, ideally as soon as you start seriously considering a move, to avoid any misunderstandings or claims of bad faith.
Once the other parent receives the notice, they have the right to object. If they do, the relocating parent must file a motion with the court to modify the parenting plan or custody arrangement. The court may set a hearing to review whether the move is in the child’s best interest. Skipping this step, moving without notice, or attempting to negotiate a major change outside of the legal process can result in serious consequences. Courts may see such actions as a violation of court orders, which could put your current custody situation at risk.
Working with supportive legal counsel from the beginning can help ensure you follow all required steps. For military parents, or those with unpredictable work schedules, starting the process early can help build a custody relocation case that fits both the law and the child’s needs. At The Gasper Law Group, we help you organize documentation and work through every step with clear communication and respect for both parents’ rights.
How Does Colorado Define Relocation in Child Custody Cases?
Courts in Colorado define “relocation” as any move that meaningfully changes the child’s living environment or makes regular parenting time difficult for the other parent. This goes far beyond moves across state lines—sometimes even a move within the same city counts as a relocation if it disrupts the current parenting plan or makes visitation rights substantially more challenging. Judges look at the effect on the child and both parents rather than just the miles covered by the move.
If a move affects a child’s school enrollment, extracurricular activities, or the other parent’s ability to participate in daily life, the court is likely to consider it a relocation. For example, moving from Colorado Springs to another city might force changes in the custody schedule, even if both locations remain in Colorado. On the other hand, a move down the block with no change in school, routine, or parent involvement may not require a court-ordered modification.
When parents are not sure if their move is legally considered a relocation, discussing the planned changes with family law counsel can help clarify the risks and obligations. This knowledge reduces surprises and ensures the relocation process starts on solid legal ground.
What Factors Do Colorado Courts Consider When Deciding on a Relocation Request?
Colorado courts weigh several important factors before deciding whether to approve or deny a parental relocation request involving child custody. Judges center their decision on the child’s best interests but take a detailed look at the reasons for both the move and the objections. For example, if the parent requesting relocation has a solid job offer or supportive family in the new location, the court will weigh those as positives—while also examining how relocation might disrupt established routines, education, or emotional ties.
Judges analyze:
The reason for the proposed move (employment, family support, education, safety)
The reason the other parent objects
The quality of each parent’s relationship with the child
The impact the move will have on the child and parenting time
The child’s connection to extended family, school, and community
The feasibility of a new, reasonable parenting time schedule
The wishes of the child if they are mature enough to express a preference
Providing complete and well-organized evidence on these points strengthens your relocation case. Our team at The Gasper Law Group guides parents in gathering school information, employment documents, and statements from community members—real materials that help the court understand why the move supports your child’s stability and growth. Coordinating these details helps you enter every hearing with a well-supported position.
How Can Parents Prepare Effectively for a Relocation Hearing or Dispute?
Thorough preparation for a relocation hearing often decides the outcome of these complex cases. Begin by building documentation for every major life change the move will bring, from new school details and potential activities to reliable transportation plans for parenting time. The more clearly you can show the court that your plans serve the child's physical, social, and emotional needs, the stronger your position will be.
Witnesses add credibility to your case. Teachers, daycare providers, therapists, employers, or family members can offer unique insight into your child’s well-being and your role as a parent. Preparing these witnesses early ensures they are available and ready to provide honest accounts of your relationships and routines.
Do not leave communication with the other parent undocumented. Courts want a clear, respectful record. Keep emails, letters, texts, and other records showing you provided notice and attempted to work cooperatively. Our clients at The Gasper Law Group often find that detailed documentation and early organization help reduce disputes and misunderstandings at every stage of the relocation process.
How Are Military Families & Deployment Treated in Colorado Relocation Cases?
Relocating with a child as a military divorce parent brings a unique set of challenges. Deployments, PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders, or reassignments often occur on short notice and demand flexibility from everyone involved. Fortunately, Colorado courts acknowledge these realities while still requiring active participation in the legal process. Servicemembers must provide prompt notice and supporting documents, just like civilian parents.
Legal protections, such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, offer certain procedural safeguards—such as postponing hearings during deployments—but do not provide a free pass to move without court approval. Judges carefully consider how military duties will affect the child’s contact with both parents and may tailor parenting plans to allow for changes as needed over time. This could mean frequent phone or video contact, extended summer visits, or quick modifications after deployments end.
At The Gasper Law Group, our office’s location near Colorado’s major bases, including Fort Carson & Peterson Space Force Base, gives us insight into the demands military families face during relocation cases. We work with military parents to propose fair arrangements, respect service commitments, and prioritize your child’s ongoing connection to both parents—often creating more adaptable and resilient custody plans in the process.
What Should You Do When the Other Parent Objects to the Relocation?
Objections to relocation are common, especially when both parents share significant parenting time. If the other parent formally objects, the process moves from negotiation to the courtroom. Trying to resolve the disagreement before it escalates may lead to faster and more peaceful results, saving time and reducing stress for everyone involved.
Early and clear communication goes a long way. Share your reasons for relocating, any benefits for the child, and a serious plan for keeping the other parent involved. Consider modifications, which allows both parents to discuss concerns with a neutral party and craft creative parenting plans without court intervention. Mediation can often resolve disputes that seem impossible at first, offering flexibility that a judge’s order might not provide.
If negotiations and mediation fail, be ready for a contested hearing. Courts will closely examine your evidence, document everything—including attempts to collaborate—and demonstrate your good faith. At The Gasper Law Group, we help you develop a strategy that reflects your commitment to your child and respects the legal process. Thorough preparation and documented respect for the other parent’s role weigh heavily in your favor.
How Should Blended Families Approach Relocation & Child Custody Modifications?
For blended families, relocation brings even more moving parts. Multiple parents, step-parents, and siblings each experience changes and may have unique concerns. Planning early and involving everyone who plays a role in your child's life is a vital part of reaching lasting agreements—and the court looks carefully at whether adults in blended households support stable transitions for kids.
Court-approved plans that keep siblings together, or at least promote meaningful relationships between half- and step-siblings, show thoughtful parenting and attention to the children’s emotional health. Arrange schedules that allow for ongoing contact across households, flexibility in holidays, and consistent routines where possible. Judges appreciate when parents present coordinated schedules that prioritize all of the children involved, not just the child affected by relocation.
If you are a stepparent or have a complex household, your input can help design arrangements that ease the impact of moving. Bring everyone to the table early. At The Gasper Law Group, we support blended families in negotiating routines and preparing documentation that meets the challenges unique to multi-household parenting. Our approach always focuses on creating a supportive foundation for children before, during, and after a major move.
How Do Courts in Colorado Consider a Child’s Age & Preference in Relocation Cases?
Colorado law does not set a strict age threshold for considering a child’s views about relocation, but judges will listen more closely as children mature. Courts assess each child’s capacity to understand the situation and examine the reasoning behind their stated preferences. Even so, child input is just one of many factors courts weigh in a relocation case.
If a child is old enough to explain their reasons for wanting or opposing a move, those opinions may factor heavily in the court’s decision. The court may ask for input from therapists, school counselors, or other professionals who know your child well and can speak to their ability to handle change. Parental pressure or influence can undermine a child’s statements, so judges look for genuine, thoughtful preferences expressed in a safe and supportive setting.
Parents can help by listening to children without leading their answers, encouraging honest expression, and seeking outside counseling during big transitions. Well-documented and balanced input from children can provide important insight for the judge and demonstrate a healthy family dynamic. At The Gasper Law Group, we encourage parents to focus on supporting their children’s emotional health throughout the relocation process, not just securing a favorable outcome in court.
Can Colorado Courts Approve Temporary or Emergency Relocation in Urgent Situations?
Sometimes urgent situations demand immediate action, such as when domestic violence, drastic safety concerns, or health emergencies are involved. In these cases, Colorado courts can grant temporary emergency relocation orders. However, the burden of proof is high, and the court will scrutinize any claim of emergency to ensure it’s genuine and not an attempt to gain advantage in a custody dispute.
To pursue an emergency relocation, you will need substantial documentation:
Police reports or affidavits confirming the emergency or safety issue
Medical records for immediate physical or mental health risks
Any prior court orders demonstrating ongoing threats or incidents
After granting a temporary order, the court will schedule a follow-up hearing to consider long-term arrangements and to allow both parents to present evidence. Emergency relocations are rare and used only in compelling circumstances. At The Gasper Law Group, we help parents act rapidly when needed while ensuring all actions align with the law and your child’s best interests.
What Documentation & Evidence Strengthen a Relocation Child Custody Case in Colorado?
Thorough documentation is one of the most effective ways to strengthen a relocation case. Judges appreciate well-prepared parents who provide clear, organized information about their plans and the child’s needs. Consider gathering and presenting the following types of evidence:
Enrollment forms and brochures from the new school
Letters from employers stating job offers or required relocations
Proof of local support, such as childcare or nearby family
Health care records and information about medical providers in the new area
Travel plans, including how you’ll maintain parenting time and the costs involved
Any correspondence showing fair notice and cooperative intent with the other parent
Statements from teachers, counselors, or extracurricular leaders who can speak to your child’s needs
Supplement all documentation with a clear, detailed revised parenting plan that respects the other parent’s relationship with your child. At The Gasper Law Group, we work side by side with clients to ensure every element is ready for court review, establishing both credibility and a commitment to your child’s wellbeing in the process.
If your case involves blended families or military duties, include any special considerations—such as deployment schedules or sibling arrangements—that are relevant to your child’s stability and continued development. Judges want to see that parents have planned for every possible change brought on by relocation.
What Happens If a Parent Relocates Without the Court’s Approval in Colorado?
Relocating without court approval exposes parents to significant risks. Courts can interpret such moves as violations of custody orders, resulting in sanctions. Judges may impose consequences such as a loss or reduction of parenting time, mandatory makeup visitation, or even changes to primary custody. In some rare cases, ignoring court orders could lead to findings of contempt or allegations of parental kidnapping—both of which could have serious, lasting impacts on your parental rights.
Acting unilaterally can also damage your standing with the court. Judges expect parents to communicate openly, show respect for the other parent’s involvement, and work within the boundaries of existing orders. Attempting to fix a mistake after moving is far more difficult than taking the proper steps from the beginning, as courts prefer proactive and transparent problem-solving.
If emergencies or sudden changes arise, seek immediate legal advice. The legal system provides legitimate channels for emergency moves if the child’s safety or wellbeing is at risk. At The Gasper Law Group, we help families handle unexpected events by working within the law to protect everyone involved.
When Should You Contact a Family Law Attorney in Colorado for Relocation Issues?
If you are contemplating any move that could disrupt your existing custody plan, reach out to a family law attorney familiar with relocation child custody in Colorado. An attorney can help you evaluate your options, understand your responsibilities, and develop a strategy that addresses the court’s concerns about your child’s best interests.
The right time to consult an attorney is as soon as relocation first becomes a real possibility—when receiving a job offer, dealing with an emergency, or if the other parent files notice to move. Acting early often leads to smoother communication, better organization, and more time to negotiate practical solutions before emotions escalate in court.
At The Gasper Law Group, we believe in making legal help accessible. We proudly offer low retainers, interest-free payment plans, and flexible service for military families and parents with complex schedules. If you face the possibility of relocating with your child, we are here to keep the legal process clear, accessible, and centered on your family’s future—every step of the way.
Where Can Colorado Parents Find Support & Resources During a Relocation Dispute?
Resolving relocation child custody disputes in Colorado often takes more than legal solutions alone. Many families benefit from tapping into local resources for emotional, educational, & practical support. Parents can find dependable information, guidance, & support through the following organizations:
Colorado Legal Services for free or low-cost legal guidance in family law
County self-help centers for workshops & help with custody modification forms
Military base family advocacy offices for deployment, relocation, & counseling support
Community centers & local churches for support groups and parenting workshops
Court-provided resources including parent education classes and co-parenting programs
Choosing the right resources can make a significant difference as you navigate the details of relocation child custody in Colorado.
For tailored legal guidance and a compassionate, supportive team, contact The Gasper Law Group at (719) 212-2448. We are committed to serving families throughout Southern Colorado, ensuring your child’s wellbeing remains our top priority as you move forward into new chapters of life.