If you’re a parent in Colorado thinking about moving with your child, you’re probably already aware that the timing matters. What you might not realize is just how common it is for these requests to land in front of a judge during the summer months.
Between May and August, Colorado family courts consistently handle a higher volume of relocation cases. The reasons behind that pattern are practical, but the legal process involved is anything but simple.
Why Summer Is Peak Season for Relocation Cases
The connection between summer and relocation requests comes down to a few converging factors that affect families across Colorado.
The school calendar drives the timeline. Parents who want to relocate with their children typically aim to complete the move before a new school year starts in August. That means filing the request in spring or early summer to give the court enough time to review the case, hold hearings, and issue a ruling. Waiting until fall means disrupting a child’s school year mid-stream, which courts generally view unfavorably.
Job changes and career opportunities tend to cluster in spring. Many industries ramp up hiring in the second quarter, and job offers that require relocation often come with start dates in the summer. A parent who receives a compelling job opportunity in another city or state faces pressure to act quickly, and that urgency pushes cases into the court system during these months.
New relationships and remarriages. Summer is a popular season for weddings, and when a parent remarries someone who lives in another state or city, it can trigger a relocation request. The desire to start a new chapter as a blended family often aligns with the summer timeline.
Military reassignments and transfers. Colorado is home to several major military installations, including those in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders frequently take effect during the summer, requiring the relocating parent to seek court approval on a compressed timeline.
What Colorado Law Requires for Relocation
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-10-129, a parent who wants to relocate with a child must provide notice to the other parent. If the non-relocating parent objects, the case goes before a judge.
The court then evaluates the request based on the child’s best interests, considering factors like:
- The reasons the parent wants to relocate
- The reasons the other parent objects
- The history and quality of the relationship between the child and both parents
- The educational opportunities available in the new location compared to the current one
- Whether the move would allow a realistic parenting time schedule for the non-relocating parent
- The presence or absence of extended family at the existing location and at the proposed new location
- The anticipated impact of the move on the child
The burden of proof matters here. The relocating parent carries the responsibility of demonstrating that the move serves the child’s best interests, not just their own.
The Summer Crunch Creates Real Pressure
Filing a relocation request during the summer months adds a layer of urgency that can work for or against you. Courts understand the school-year deadline, but they won’t rush a decision at the expense of thoroughness. If you file too late in the summer, you may not get a hearing before school starts, which could delay the move by an entire year.
This is one of the reasons early planning is so critical. Parents who know a move is on the horizon should begin the legal process well before the summer rush, ideally consulting with an attorney in the early spring.
What the Non-Relocating Parent Should Know
If you receive a relocation notice from your co-parent, the timeline matters for you too. Colorado law gives you a specific window to file your objection, and missing that deadline can seriously weaken your position. The summer months move fast, and courts have packed dockets during this period.
Whether you’re open to negotiating a modified parenting time schedule or you intend to fight the relocation outright, having legal representation early gives you the best chance of protecting your relationship with your child.
How Relocation Affects Child Support and Custody Arrangements
A successful relocation doesn’t just change where your child lives. It often triggers modifications to existing child custody and child support orders. Travel costs for parenting time, adjustments to the parenting schedule, and recalculations of support obligations are all common follow-up issues.
Courts in Colorado can factor in the increased cost of maintaining the parent-child relationship over a greater distance when modifying support. These cascading changes are another reason relocation cases require careful legal strategy from the start.
Talk to a Colorado Family Law Attorney Before You File
Whether you’re the parent planning a move or the one who just received notice, the stakes in a relocation case are high. The outcome shapes where your child grows up, where they go to school, and how often they see each parent.
Every situation is different, and this article is meant to provide general information, not legal advice. For guidance specific to your circumstances, reach out to Nexus Family Law Group to speak with an attorney who understands Colorado’s relocation laws and can help you navigate the process with confidence.