HOW ARE PARENTAL RESPONSIBLITIES DETERMINED?
Effective February 01,1999, the term “custody” was changed to “parental responsibilities”. The Colorado Legislature has declared that it is in the best interest of all parties to encourage frequent and continuing contact between each parent and the minor children of the marriage after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage. In order to effectuate this goal, the Legislature urges parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing and to encourage the love, affection and contact between the children and the parents. The Court shall determine the allocation of parental responsibilities, including parenting time and decision making responsibilities, in accordance with the best interests of the child giving paramount consideration to the physical, mental, and emotional conditions and needs of the child. In order to implement an order allocating parental responsibilities, both parties may submit a parenting plan for the Court’s approval that shall address both
