Temporary Orders — Allocation of Parental Responsibilities - Colorado

STIPULATED TEMPORARY ORDERS — 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 AND PROCEDURAL NOTICE

Terminology. Colorado uses "allocation of parental responsibilities," "parenting time," and "decision-making responsibility" rather than "custody" and "visitation" (C.R.S. § 14-10-123 et seq.).

Automatic Temporary Injunction (ATI). After filing and service (or waiver and acceptance of service), an automatic injunction applies to both parties under C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4)(b) in a dissolution or legal-separation case, or under § 14-10-123(3) in a standalone allocation-of-parental-responsibilities case. Both provisions restrict removing the child from Colorado without the required consent or court order. They also address disturbing the other party's peace and certain insurance changes; § 14-10-107(4)(b) additionally restricts disposal of marital property. Section 14-10-108 governs further temporary orders sought from the court. The school, residence, and routine terms below are proposed additional orders, rather than automatic terms of the statutory injunction.

The ATI remains in effect until the case is dismissed or final orders are entered. Violation of the ATI may result in contempt of court.

Nature of Temporary Orders. These Temporary Orders govern the allocation of parental responsibilities pending entry of permanent orders. They carry the force of law and are enforceable by contempt proceedings.

PART 1. PARTIES AND CHILDREN

1.1 Parties

Party A:
Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
County: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

Party B:
Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
County: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

1.2 Minor Child(ren)

1.3 Date of Filing

The underlying Petition was filed on [__/__/____].

1.4 Duration of Temporary Orders

These Temporary Orders shall remain in effect from [__/__/____] until the earliest of:

(a) Entry of permanent orders in this case;
(b) Further order of the Court modifying these Temporary Orders;
(c) Dismissal of the underlying action;
(d) Written stipulation of both parties approved by the Court.

1.5 Parenting Education

Both parties shall complete a court-approved parenting education class within [____] days if ordered under C.R.S. § 14-10-123.7 or required by an applicable case-management order.

☐ Party A — Completed on [__/__/____]; Provider: [________________________________]
☐ Party B — Completed on [__/__/____]; Provider: [________________________________]
☐ To be completed by [__/__/____]

PART 2. TEMPORARY DECISION-MAKING RESPONSIBILITY

2.1 Temporary Allocation

During the pendency of this action, decision-making responsibility shall be temporarily allocated as follows:

2.2 Decision-Making Protocol (If Joint)

Where joint decision-making is temporarily ordered:

• The initiating party shall notify the other in writing with relevant information.
• The other party shall respond within [____] business days.
• If the parties cannot agree, either may propose mediation or ask the Court to decide. A party who claims physical or psychological abuse by the other party and is unwilling to mediate may decline mediation.

Emergency decisions: The party exercising parenting time may authorize emergency medical treatment when delay would endanger the child(ren). That party shall notify the other as soon as possible.

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

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

☐ The Court has found by a preponderance of the evidence that [________________________________] committed domestic violence / child abuse or neglect / sexual assault resulting in conception. Under current C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(c), mutual decision-making over an objection is not in the child(ren)'s best interests unless the Court makes the required safety findings. Under subsection (1.6), the Court must impose parenting-time conditions that ensure safety. Temporary decision-making is allocated to [________________________________].

☐ A protection order is in effect: Case No. [________________________________], issued [__/__/____] by [________________________________] Court.

2.4 Preservation of Status Quo

As an additional agreed term of these temporary orders, neither party shall make unilateral changes to the child(ren)'s:

• School enrollment
• Healthcare providers (except in an emergency)
• Extracurricular activities (existing activities shall continue)
• Primary residence

without the other party's written consent or Court order.

PART 3. TEMPORARY PARENTING TIME SCHEDULE

3.1 Regular Schedule

Select applicable option:

☐ Option A: Approximately Equal Parenting Time

Schedule: [________________________________]
[________________________________]

☐ Option B: Primary Residential Parent with Parenting Time to Other Party

Primary Residential Parent: Party [____]

Other Party's Parenting Time:

• Alternating weekends: Friday at [____] to Sunday at [____]
• Midweek: [________________________________] from [____] to [____]
• Other: [________________________________]

☐ Option C: Restricted / Supervised Parenting Time (C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(a))

Party [____]'s parenting time is restricted because unrestricted parenting time would endanger the child(ren)'s physical health or significantly impair their emotional development.

Specific grounds for restriction: [________________________________]

Supervised parenting time schedule:

• Frequency: [________________________________]
• Duration: [________________________________]

• Location: ☐ Supervised visitation center: [________________________________]
  ☐ In the presence of: [________________________________]

• Conditions: [________________________________]

☐ Option D: Maintaining Pre-Separation Status Quo

The parenting time schedule that existed immediately prior to the filing of the Petition shall continue temporarily, specifically: [________________________________]

☐ Option E: Custom Schedule

[________________________________]
[________________________________]

3.2 Exchange Details

Location:
☐ School ☐ Neutral location: [________________________________] ☐ Receiving party's residence ☐ Other: [________________________________]

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

3.3 Holiday Schedule

☐ The regular schedule shall apply to holidays during the temporary period.

☐ The following holiday schedule shall apply:

3.4 Travel Restrictions

Consistent with the ATI and these Temporary Orders:

☐ Neither party shall remove the child(ren) from the State of Colorado without the other party's prior written consent or Court order.

☐ Neither party shall remove the child(ren) from [________________________________] County (or surrounding counties) without the other party's prior written consent or Court order.

☐ Domestic travel within Colorado is permitted during parenting time with [____] hours' advance written notice.

☐ Other: [________________________________]

Passport Safeguards:
☐ The child(ren)'s passport(s) shall be held by [________________________________] or deposited with the Court or counsel.
☐ Neither party shall apply for a passport for the child(ren) without the other party's written consent or Court order.

PART 4. COMMUNICATION

4.1 Parent-Child Communication

The party 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: [________________________________]

4.2 Parent-to-Parent Communication

Parties shall communicate regarding the child(ren) through:
☐ Email ☐ Co-parenting app ☐ Text ☐ Phone

Communications shall be respectful, child-focused, and limited to matters concerning the child(ren)'s welfare and logistics. Each party shall respond to non-emergency communications within [____] hours.

4.3 Access to Records

Both parties shall have independent access to school records, medical records, and extracurricular information. Each party shall ensure the other is listed as an authorized contact with schools and healthcare providers.

4.4 Notification

Each party shall promptly notify the other of:

• Serious illness, injury, or hospitalization of the child(ren)
• Emergency medical treatment
• Incidents involving law enforcement or the Department of Human Services
• Changes in address, telephone, or employment

PART 5. TEMPORARY FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

5.1 Child Support

☐ Temporary child support is addressed in a separate temporary support order.

☐ Party [____] shall pay temporary child support of $[________________________________] per month to Party [____], commencing [__/__/____], pursuant to C.R.S. § 14-10-115 guidelines.

☐ Child support shall be deferred pending the temporary orders hearing / permanent orders.

5.2 Health Insurance

Party [____] shall maintain the child(ren)'s current health, dental, and vision insurance. Neither party shall change or cancel the child(ren)'s insurance without the other party's written consent or Court order.

5.3 Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

Pending permanent orders, unreimbursed medical expenses shall be:
☐ Shared equally
☐ Allocated: Party A [____]% / Party B [____]%
☐ Paid by the party incurring the expense, with reimbursement addressed at permanent orders

5.4 Extracurricular Activity Costs

Existing activity costs shall be:
☐ Continued as currently allocated
☐ Shared equally
☐ Other: [________________________________]

No new activities with costs exceeding $[________________________________] shall be enrolled without both parties' written agreement.

PART 6. COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS

6.1 Automatic Temporary Injunction and Additional Agreed Restrictions

Both parties shall comply with the applicable ATI under C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4)(b) or § 14-10-123(3). The additional restrictions below apply as terms of these temporary orders if approved by the court:

☐ Neither party shall remove the child(ren) from Colorado without consent or Court order.
☐ Neither party shall disrupt the child(ren)'s school enrollment or established routine.
☐ Neither party shall hide the child(ren) from the other party.
☐ Neither party shall disparage the other party in the child(ren)'s presence.

6.2 Non-Disparagement

Neither party shall make negative remarks about the other party in the child(ren)'s presence, allow others to do so, interrogate the child(ren) about the other party's household, or share information about legal proceedings with the child(ren).

6.3 Substance Use

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

6.4 Firearms Safety

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

6.5 New Partners

☐ Neither party shall introduce a romantic partner to the child(ren) during the temporary period without the other party's written consent.

☐ Neither party shall allow a romantic partner to stay overnight during parenting time during the temporary period.

☐ No restrictions beyond ATI requirements.

6.6 Third-Party Delegation

During parenting time, the responsible party shall not delegate primary care of the child(ren) to a third party for extended periods without the other party's written consent, except for normal childcare/school arrangements.

PART 7. CFI / PRE AND INVESTIGATION

7.1 Appointment During Temporary Period

☐ The parties stipulate to the appointment of a Child and Family Investigator (CFI) pursuant to C.R.S. § 14-10-116.5 to investigate and report on:
[________________________________]

For a privately paid CFI, the presumptive maximum fee for investigation and reporting is $3,250 per appointment. Fees above that amount require prior court approval by written order with specific findings. The parties propose allocating those fees: Party A [____]% / Party B [____]%, subject to the appointment order.

☐ The parties stipulate to the appointment of a Parental Responsibilities Evaluator (PRE) pursuant to C.R.S. § 14-10-127 for a comprehensive evaluation.

PRE fees shall be allocated: Party A [____]% / Party B [____]%.

☐ No CFI or PRE is requested at this time. Either party reserves the right to request appointment.

7.2 Cooperation with Investigation

Both parties shall cooperate fully with any CFI or PRE appointed by the Court, including providing access to the child(ren), completing interviews, authorizing release of records, and complying with all requests.

PART 8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Mediation

The parties may attempt mediation before filing a nonemergency motion. Neither party must postpone a court filing to complete mediation. A party who claims physical or psychological abuse by the other party and is unwilling to mediate may decline. If the parties mediate, they will allocate the cost as follows: [________________________________].

8.2 Emergency Motions

Either Party may file a motion under C.R.S. § 14-10-129(4) alleging that parenting time or contact places the child(ren) in imminent physical or emotional danger.

8.3 Parenting Coordinator

☐ A Parenting Coordinator is appointed: [________________________________]
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: [________________________________]

☐ No Parenting Coordinator at this time.

8.4 Court Jurisdiction

UCCJEA jurisdiction is governed by C.R.S. §§ 14-13-201 through 14-13-204, including the limits on exclusive, continuing jurisdiction in § 14-13-202.

PART 9. ENFORCEMENT

9.1 Enforcement of Parenting-Time Orders

If a parent fails to comply with the parenting-time schedule, the other parent may seek relief under C.R.S. § 14-10-129.5. After the required process, the Court may order:

• Sanctions
• Make-up parenting time
• Modification of parenting time
• Attorney fee awards
• Other relief the Court deems appropriate

9.2 Attorney Fees

☐ Each party bears his or her own fees during the temporary period.
☐ A party who necessitates enforcement proceedings through willful violation may be ordered to pay the other party's reasonable attorney fees.

PART 10. TRANSITION TO PERMANENT ORDERS

10.1 Effect on Permanent Orders

These Temporary Orders do not establish a presumption regarding permanent allocation of parental responsibilities. The Court shall independently evaluate the best interest factors under C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5) at the permanent orders hearing.

10.2 Discovery and Disclosure

Both parties shall comply with C.R.C.P. 16.2 mandatory disclosure requirements, including but not limited to financial disclosures (JDF 1111 — Sworn Financial Statement), within the deadlines set by the Court or the Rule.

10.3 Family Court Facilitator

The parties acknowledge that Colorado's Family Court Facilitator program is available in most judicial districts to assist self-represented parties with procedural questions. The Facilitator does not provide legal advice.

PART 11. GENERAL PROVISIONS

11.1 Governing Law. Colorado law, C.R.S. § 14-10-101 et seq.

11.2 Temporary Nature. These orders are temporary pending permanent resolution and do not constitute a permanent allocation of parental responsibilities.

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

11.4 Counterparts. May be executed in counterparts and electronically.

11.5 Notice. All notices shall be sent to the addresses listed in Part 1, or as updated in writing.

EXECUTION

The parties stipulate and agree to these Temporary Orders. Each party represents that this agreement is voluntary and in the child(ren)'s best interests during the pendency of the underlying action.

Party A:

Signature: _________________________________

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Party B:

Signature: _________________________________

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Attorney for Party A (if applicable):

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

Attorney for Party B (if applicable):

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

ORDER

THE COURT, having reviewed the foregoing Stipulated Temporary Orders and having considered C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5) and § 14-10-108, finds that these Temporary Orders serve the child(ren)'s best interests during the pendency of this action.

☐ The temporary allocation complies with current C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5)(c) and (1.6).
☐ The applicable Automatic Temporary Injunction under C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4)(b) or § 14-10-123(3) remains in full force and effect.
☐ These Temporary Orders do not establish presumptions for permanent orders.

IT IS ORDERED that the foregoing Stipulated Temporary Orders are APPROVED and entered as orders of this Court.

Date: [__/__/____]

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

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4)(b) — Automatic Temporary Injunction in dissolution and legal-separation cases: https://olls.info/crs/crs2026-title-14.htm
• C.R.S. § 14-10-108 — Motion-based temporary orders
• C.R.S. § 14-10-129.5 — Enforcement of parenting-time orders
• C.R.S. § 14-10-123(3) — Automatic Temporary Injunction in standalone APR proceedings: https://olls.info/crs/crs2026-title-14.htm
• C.R.S. § 14-10-124 — Best interests of the child
• C.R.S. § 14-10-124(1.5) — Parenting time and decision-making factors
• 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. § 14-10-125 — Temporary parenting time
• 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)
• C.R.S. §§ 14-10-124(1.5)(a), 14-10-129(1)(b)(I) — Restriction of parenting time (endangerment standard)
• C.R.S. § 14-13-101 et seq. — UCCJEA
• C.R.C.P. 16.2 — Case management in domestic relations cases
• JDF 1111 — Sworn Financial Statement
• JDF 1413 — Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
• Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help-forms
• Colorado Judicial Branch — Parenting Classes: https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts
• Family Court Facilitator Program: Available in most Colorado judicial districts