Stipulated Agreement for Joint Allocation of Parental Responsibilities - Colorado

STIPULATED AGREEMENT FOR JOINT ALLOCATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

State of Colorado — District Court

[________________________________] County

Case Number: [________________________________]

Division/Courtroom: [____]

☐ In re the Marriage/Civil Union of: [________________________________] and [________________________________]

☐ In re the Parental Responsibilities Concerning: [________________________________] (Child/ren)

COLORADO TERMINOLOGY NOTICE

Colorado does not use the terms "joint custody" or "visitation." Under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 14-10-123 et seq., effective 1999):

• "Allocation of Parental Responsibilities" replaces "custody"
• "Parenting time" replaces "visitation"
• "Joint decision-making responsibility" replaces "joint legal custody"
• "Approximately equal parenting time" replaces "joint physical custody"

This Agreement uses Colorado's statutory terminology.

ARTICLE 1. PARTIES AND CHILDREN

1.1 Parents

Parent A:
Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
County of Residence: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Parent B:
Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
County of Residence: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

1.2 Minor Child(ren)

1.3 Nature of Proceeding

This Stipulated Agreement is filed in connection with:

☐ Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (JDF 1101)
☐ Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (JDF 1413)
☐ Petition for Legal Separation
☐ Modification of existing orders (Case No. [________________________________])

1.4 Effective Date

This Agreement shall become effective upon approval and incorporation into the Court's orders.

1.5 Parenting Education Compliance

Both parents have completed or will complete a court-approved parenting education class if ordered under C.R.S. § 14-10-123.7 or required by an applicable case-management order:

☐ Parent A — Completed on [__/__/____]; Provider: [________________________________]
☐ Parent B — Completed on [__/__/____]; Provider: [________________________________]

ARTICLE 2. JOINT DECISION-MAKING RESPONSIBILITY

2.1 Allocation

The parents agree to share joint decision-making responsibility for the child(ren) in the following areas pursuant to C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(b):

Education: ☐ Joint Decision-Making
Including school enrollment, school changes, special education (IEPs, 504 Plans), tutoring, educational testing, gifted programs, and college planning.

Health Care: ☐ Joint Decision-Making
Including selection of primary care physicians, dentists, specialists, non-emergency medical procedures, ongoing medications, mental health treatment (therapy, counseling, psychiatric care), and elective procedures.

Religious Upbringing: ☐ Joint Decision-Making
Including religious education, enrollment in religious instruction programs, and participation in religious ceremonies and observances.

Extracurricular Activities: ☐ Joint Decision-Making
Including enrollment in sports, music, arts, clubs, camps, and competitive programs, considering time commitment, cost, and impact on the parenting time schedule.

2.2 Decision-Making Protocol

(a) Initiating a Decision. The parent identifying the need for a decision shall notify the other parent in writing (email or co-parenting application) with relevant information and a proposed course of action.

(b) Response. The other parent shall respond within [____] business days with agreement, questions, or an alternative proposal.

(c) Discussion. If the parents disagree, they shall discuss the matter in good faith, with the child(ren)'s best interests as the paramount concern. Both parents may attend relevant meetings (school conferences, medical appointments) and speak directly with providers.

(d) Impasse. If the parents cannot reach agreement within [____] days:

☐ The dispute shall be submitted to a court-appointed Parenting Coordinator for assistance and nonbinding recommendations on implementation issues.
☐ The dispute shall be submitted to mediation before either parent files a motion with the Court, subject to the safety and emergency exceptions in Section 8.2.
☐ Parent [____] shall have temporary authority to make the decision pending resolution through mediation or Court order, for the following area(s): [________________________________].

(e) Emergency Exception. The parent with the child(ren) may authorize emergency medical treatment when delay would endanger the child(ren)'s health. That parent shall notify the other parent as soon as possible.

2.3 Suitability for Joint Decision-Making (C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(b))

In allocating joint decision-making, the Court considers:

• The ability of the parties to cooperate and make decisions jointly
• Whether the past pattern of involvement reflects mutual support and positive relationships
• Whether joint decision-making will promote frequent and continuing contact

The parents represent that they are able to communicate effectively and cooperate in the child(ren)'s best interests, and that joint decision-making is appropriate in this case.

2.4 Abuse and Domestic Violence Certification (C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(c), (1.6))

If the Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a party committed domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault resulting in conception, current C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(c) provides that mutual decision-making over an objection is not in the child(ren)'s best interests unless the Court makes specific findings that it can occur without coercion, intimidation, retaliation, or risk of harm. Subsection (1.6) requires parenting-time conditions that ensure safety.

☐ The Court has made no finding that either Parent committed domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual assault resulting in conception.

☐ After finding [________________________________], the Court specifically finds that mutual decision-making can occur without coercion, intimidation, retaliation, or risk of harm to the abused Parent or the child(ren), and imposes these safety conditions: [________________________________].

ARTICLE 3. PARENTING TIME

3.1 Guiding Principle

Colorado encourages frequent and continuing contact with both parents in most circumstances after separation, while recognizing that co-parenting is not appropriate in every case (C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1)). This agreed schedule is designed to provide approximately equal parenting time, subject to the child(ren)'s best interests and safety.

3.2 Regular Parenting Time Schedule

☐ Week-On / Week-Off:
Parent A: [________________________________] at [____] through [________________________________] at [____]
Parent B: Alternating week on the same schedule.

☐ 2-2-3 Rotation:

• Week 1: Monday–Tuesday Parent A; Wednesday–Thursday Parent B; Friday–Sunday Parent A
• Week 2: Monday–Tuesday Parent B; Wednesday–Thursday Parent A; Friday–Sunday Parent B

☐ 5-2-2-5 Rotation:
Monday-Tuesday overnights: Parent [____] (every week)
Wednesday-Thursday overnights: Parent [____] (every week)
Friday through Monday: Alternating

☐ Custom Schedule:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

3.3 Exchange Details

Location:
☐ School (school-day exchanges)
☐ [________________________________] (neutral location)
☐ Receiving parent's residence
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Transportation:
☐ Receiving parent picks up
☐ Delivering parent drops off
☐ Shared equally
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Punctuality: If a parent will be more than 15 minutes late, that parent shall notify the other immediately. Repeated lateness without reasonable excuse (more than three instances in 60 days) constitutes a material breach.

3.4 Holiday Schedule

Holidays supersede the regular schedule. The parents shall alternate as follows:

3.5 Summer Vacation

Each parent shall have [____] weeks of uninterrupted vacation time with the child(ren) during summer break.

• Written notice of vacation dates shall be provided by May 1 each year.
• If both parents request overlapping dates, Parent [____] shall have first choice in even years and Parent [____] in odd years.
• The non-vacationing parent shall have telephone/video contact with the child(ren) at reasonable times during the vacation.

3.6 Right of First Refusal

☐ If either parent requires childcare for more than [____] consecutive hours during his or her parenting time, that parent shall first offer the time to the other parent. The other parent shall respond within [____] hours.

☐ No right of first refusal.

ARTICLE 4. COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SHARING

4.1 Parent-to-Parent Communication

Parents shall communicate regarding the child(ren) through:
☐ Email ☐ Co-parenting app ([________________________________]) ☐ Text ☐ Phone

Communications shall be respectful, child-focused, and business-like. Each parent shall respond to non-emergency communications within [____] hours.

4.2 Parent-Child Contact During Other Parent's Time

The parent not exercising parenting time may have telephone/video contact with the child(ren):

☐ Daily at approximately [____] for up to [____] minutes
☐ At reasonable times as mutually agreed
☐ Other: [________________________________]

4.3 Access to Records and Providers

Both parents shall have independent, direct access to school records, medical records, and extracurricular information. Each parent shall ensure the other is listed as an authorized contact with all schools, healthcare providers, and activity coordinators.

4.4 Notification Requirements

Each parent shall promptly notify the other of:

• Serious illness, injury, hospitalization, or emergency treatment
• School disciplinary actions
• Incidents involving law enforcement or the Department of Human Services
• Changes in address, telephone number, or employment
• Introduction of a significant new partner to the child(ren)

ARTICLE 5. COVENANTS

5.1 Non-Disparagement and Anti-Alienation

Neither parent shall make negative remarks about the other parent in the child(ren)'s presence or hearing, allow others to do so, interrogate the child(ren) about the other parent's household, or share age-inappropriate information about court proceedings or adult disputes.

5.2 Cooperation

Both parents shall actively support the child(ren)'s relationship with the other parent and cooperate in implementing this Agreement.

5.3 Substance Use

Neither parent shall consume alcohol to impairment or use controlled substances (other than as lawfully prescribed) during parenting time or within [____] hours before parenting time begins.

5.4 Firearms Safety

All firearms shall be stored unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the child(ren), in compliance with Colorado law.

5.5 Consistency

Both parents shall make reasonable efforts to maintain consistency in homework expectations, discipline, bedtimes, and screen time limits.

5.6 New Partners

☐ Neither parent shall introduce a romantic partner to the child(ren) until the relationship has been exclusive for at least [____] months.

☐ No restriction, but parents shall be sensitive to the child(ren)'s adjustment and provide [____] days' notice to the other parent.

ARTICLE 6. RELOCATION (C.R.S. § 14-10-129)

6.1 Notice

If either parent intends to move with the child to a residence that substantially changes the child's geographical ties with the other parent, the relocating parent shall provide the other parent written notice as soon as practicable. The notice shall state the intended location, the reason for the move, and a proposed revised parenting time plan. The Parties may also agree to include a proposed transportation plan; C.R.S. § 14-10-129(1)(a)(II) does not set a fixed number of notice days or require filing this notice with the Court.

6.2 Objection and Hearing

If the other parent objects, the Parties may attempt mediation, and either may ask the Court to modify parenting time. A court hearing on a parenting-time modification due to an intent to relocate receives priority under C.R.S. § 14-10-129(2)(c). The existing parenting-time order remains in effect until the Court modifies it.

ARTICLE 7. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

7.1 Child Support

☐ Child support is addressed in a separate order pursuant to C.R.S. § 14-10-115.

☐ [________________________________]

7.2 Health Insurance

Parent [____] shall maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the child(ren).

7.3 Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

Expenses not covered by insurance shall be shared:
Parent A: [____]% / Parent B: [____]%

Documentation shall be provided within 30 days; reimbursement due within 30 days of receipt.

7.4 Extracurricular Costs

☐ Shared equally
☐ Proportional: Parent A [____]% / Parent B [____]%
☐ Enrolling parent bears cost unless other parent agrees in advance
☐ Other: [________________________________]

7.5 Tax Exemptions

☐ Alternating: Parent [____] claims in even years; Parent [____] in odd years
☐ Parent [____] claims each year
☐ Split among children: [________________________________]

ARTICLE 8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Good-Faith Negotiation

Parents shall first attempt to resolve disagreements through respectful, direct communication.

8.2 Mediation

If negotiation fails, the parents shall participate in mediation with a qualified family mediator before filing a motion with the Court. Mediation is not required if a parent claims physical or psychological abuse by the other parent and states that the parent is unwilling to mediate, or if urgent court relief is needed. Either parent may seek court relief without first mediating in those circumstances. Costs shall be shared: [________________________________].

8.3 Parenting Coordinator

☐ The parents agree to request that the Court appoint a Parenting Coordinator under C.R.S. § 14-10-128.1.
Name: [________________________________]
Role: Assist with implementation disputes and make nonbinding recommendations. Binding decision-making authority requires a separate court appointment under C.R.S. § 14-10-128.3 with both parents’ written consent.
Fee allocation: [________________________________]

☐ No Parenting Coordinator at this time.

8.4 CFI / PRE

Either parent may request the Court to appoint:

• A Child and Family Investigator (CFI) under C.R.S. § 14-10-116.5 (CJD 04-08 sets a $3,250 presumptive maximum for investigative and reporting work per private-pay appointment; a higher fee requires prior written court approval with specific extraordinary-circumstances findings)
• A Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (PRE) under C.R.S. § 14-10-127 (must be a licensed mental health professional; no statutory fee cap)

8.5 Court Jurisdiction

The District Court of [________________________________] County, Colorado, retains continuing, exclusive jurisdiction pursuant to the UCCJEA (C.R.S. § 14-13-101 et seq.).

8.6 Attorney Fees

☐ Each parent bears his or her own fees.
☐ The parent who necessitates Court intervention through willful violation of this Agreement may be ordered to pay the other parent's reasonable attorney fees.

ARTICLE 9. MODIFICATION (C.R.S. § 14-10-129)

9.1 By Agreement

The parents may sign and file a proposed modification. A change to an existing parenting or decision-making order takes effect only after the Court approves it and enters a modified order.

9.2 By Court Order

Either parent may ask the Court to modify parenting time when the change serves the child(ren)'s best interests under C.R.S. § 14-10-129(1). A substantial parenting-time change that also changes the parent with whom the child(ren) reside a majority of the time must meet § 14-10-129(2): the Court must find the required changed circumstances and retain the existing schedule unless the parents agree, the child has integrated into the moving parent's family with the other parent's consent, the majority-residence parent intends a qualifying relocation, or the child's present environment meets the statutory endangerment test. A subsequent motion filed within two years after disposition of an earlier motion for that kind of change is separately restricted by § 14-10-129(1.5), subject to its endangerment or relocation exceptions.

9.3 Periodic Review

The parents agree to review this Agreement periodically and modify it as necessary to meet the child(ren)'s changing developmental needs.

ARTICLE 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by Colorado law, including C.R.S. § 14-10-101 et seq.

10.2 Severability. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.

10.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding regarding allocation of parental responsibilities, superseding all prior agreements.

10.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature.

10.5 Best Interests. In all matters not addressed herein, the parents shall act in the child(ren)'s best interests per C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5).

EXECUTION

Parent A:

Signature: _________________________________

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Parent B:

Signature: _________________________________

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Attorney for Parent A (if applicable):

Signature: _________________________________
Name / Colorado Atty. Reg. No.: [________________________________]

Attorney for Parent B (if applicable):

Signature: _________________________________
Name / Colorado Atty. Reg. No.: [________________________________]

ORDER

THE COURT, having reviewed the foregoing Stipulated Agreement and the factors set forth in C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5), and having determined that:

☐ Joint decision-making responsibility is in the child(ren)'s best interests.
☐ The parenting time schedule serves the child(ren)'s best interests.
☐ The agreement complies with current C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(c) and (1.6) regarding abuse findings and safety.
☐ Both parents have completed a court-approved parenting education class.

IT IS ORDERED that this Stipulated Agreement for Joint Allocation of Parental Responsibilities is APPROVED and incorporated into the Court's orders.

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________
District Court Judge
[________________________________] County District Court
State of Colorado

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• C.R.S. § 14-10-123 — Commencement of proceedings concerning allocation of parental responsibilities
• C.R.S. § 14-10-124 — Best interests of the child
• C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(a) — Parenting time factors
• C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(b) — Decision-making responsibility factors (cooperation, past involvement, promotion of contact)
• C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(a)(III.5), (1.5)(c), and (1.6) — Abuse findings, mutual decision-making, and parenting-time safety
• C.R.S. § 14-10-103(1.5) — Current domestic-violence and coercive-control definitions
• 2026 Colo. Sess. Laws, ch. 163 (H.B. 26-1309) — Immediate amendments effective May 27, 2026
• C.R.S. § 14-10-115 — Child support guidelines
• C.R.S. § 14-10-116.5 and Chief Justice Directive 04-08 — Child and Family Investigator; $3,250 presumptive private-pay cap
• C.R.S. § 14-10-127 — Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (PRE) qualifications and appointment
• C.R.S. § 14-10-129 — Modification of parenting time
• C.R.S. § 14-10-129(1.5) — Two-year restriction on changing majority residential parent
• C.R.S. § 14-10-129(2)(c) — Relocation provisions and priority scheduling
• C.R.S. § 14-10-131 — Modification of decision-making responsibility
• C.R.S. § 14-13-101 et seq. — Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
• C.R.C.P. 16.2 — Case management in domestic relations cases
• JDF 1413 — Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
• Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms
• Colorado Judicial Branch — CFI/PRE Information: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/child-family-investigator-cfi-parental-responsibility-evaluator-pre