Child support laws were created to ensure children are cared for—but in many cases today, the system no longer reflects fairness, shared parenting, or real-life financial situations. We are calling on the Colorado General Assembly to reform child support laws so they better reflect modern families and economic realities.

CURRENT ISSUES INCLUDE: - Payments that do not accurately reflect true income or cost of living - Lack of consideration for equal or shared parenting time - No transparency in how support is used for the child - Failure to consider when a parent has additional children with other partners - Outdated enforcement policies that punish rather than support stability

REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES: Example 1: A parent with 50/50 custody is still required to pay high child support, despite covering half of the child’s daily needs directly.

Example 2: A parent loses income or faces financial hardship but payments remain based on outdated income calculations, causing long-term financial strain.

Example 3: A parent is required to pay full support while the receiving parent has additional children with another partner, significantly impacting household finances without being fairly considered. 

PROPOSED REFORMS: 1. Adjust child support calculations to accurately reflect shared parenting time, especially in 50/50 custody situations

2. Require regular income reviews to ensure payments stay fair and reflect current financial circumstances

3. Introduce reasonable transparency measures to help ensure support is being used in the best interest of the child

4. Include consideration for additional children either parent is financially responsible for, ensuring fair distribution of financial obligations across households

5. Reform enforcement policies to prioritize parental involvement and financial stability over punishment

The Solution

We propose a system modeled after programs like WIC and food stamps:

Child support payments would go into a managed account specifically for the child.
Any unused funds at the end of the month would automatically accumulate in the account and earn interest.
The child can access the funds when they turn 18, providing financial security for education, housing, or other essential needs.
This system ensures children benefit from every dollar, while reducing conflicts over payment timing or enforcement.

By implementing this, we prioritize the child’s well-being and ensure financial support is reliable, transparent, and protected.

Together, we can create a system where children are truly the first priority — and every parent’s contribution counts toward their future.

CLOSING STATEMENT: Children benefit most when both parents are financially stable and actively involved in their lives. A fair and balanced child support system should support both households—not create unnecessary hardship for one. We urge lawmakers to review and update child support laws to create a system that is fair, transparent, and focused on the well-being of the child.

Sign this petition to reform child support and secure a better future for our children.