All Roll Calls
Yes: 118 • No: 20
ColoradoHB25-11592025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Child Support Commission Recommendations
Sponsored By: Junie Joseph (Democratic), Kyle Mullica (Democratic), Regina English (Democratic), Scott Bright (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Children & Domestic Matters
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 11 mixed.
Graduation limits support during concurrent enrollment
For child support orders entered on or after July 1, 1997, concurrent enrollment does not extend high-school-based support. A child in concurrent enrollment is treated as emancipated upon completing the local education provider's minimum high-school graduation requirements. This can end payments for the paying parent and support for the receiving household.
Insurance support liens have dollar threshold
The law limits covered insurance-payment liens for child support to payments over $1,000. A lien on a covered payment can reduce the insurance money available to the recipient while collecting unpaid support.
Knowing paternity acknowledgments limit later challenges
A person who acknowledged paternity knowing he was not the father cannot undo the covered parentage or child support orders. This restriction applies to the acknowledgments specified in the law. It preserves support for the child while limiting the acknowledging person's ability to challenge the obligation.
New child support calculations for parents
The law updates child support amounts based on parents' combined adjusted income and number of children. Parents share the basic amount by income, with additions for work-related or education-related child care. A parenting-time credit adjusts shares based on overnight stays; worksheets covering multiple children average their overnights. Without reliable income information, enforcement units must use the calculation required by state law. The specified changes to income, schedule, and calculation rules begin March 1, 2026.
Parents can owe earlier child support
Courts and child support units can order reasonable support for months before the regular monthly obligation begins. Beginning February 1, 2026, required factors include earning ability, resources, the child's needs, and ability to pay current and earlier support. They also consider prior payments, parents' communications, financial agreements, efforts to avoid service, and efforts to restrict access.
Parents share medical costs with deadlines
Uninsured medical costs above $250 per child each year can be shared based on parents' adjusted incomes. Consistent costs expected to continue can enter the monthly worksheet; other costs are handled through reimbursement. For unemancipated people with disabilities who qualify for long-term services and supports, costs can include equipment, modifications, and respite care. Unless extraordinary circumstances apply, missing the following July 1 deadline to provide proof waives reimbursement. If the other parent does not respond, pay, or arrange payment within 49 days, the requesting parent can seek judgment.
Spousal support uses potential earning power
Courts must use potential income when calculating spousal support for someone who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Exceptions cover physical or mental incapacity and caring for a child under 24 months for whom both parties share legal responsibility. The law also provides an incarceration exception. Using earning power instead of actual earnings can change what either party pays or receives.
Courts assign parents' child tax benefits
Courts can assign a child's dependency claim and tax benefit between parents, including requiring the majority-custody parent to release it. Contested decisions require findings about family finances, the child's needs, tax benefits, and effects on health insurance credits or subsidies. Courts can tie the benefit to child support compliance; the allocation does not change head-of-household filing status. Wrongful claims or refusals to release the claim can lead to compensation, reasonable fees, and costs. A request for relief must be filed within three years after the relevant tax-return filing date.
Family court records protect identifying numbers
Family-court case information sheets containing Social Security numbers must be filed under seal. The Judicial Department retains the numbers, but they do not have to appear on the face of court orders.
State funds child support technology updates
Beginning February 1, 2026, the law funds technology implementation for state fiscal year 2025–26. It provides $46,665 from the General Fund and anticipates $90,585 in federal funds for the Department of Human Services. The combined $137,250 is reappropriated to the Governor's Office of Information Technology for services, not added as separate funding. Anticipated federal funds remain subject to the annual budget act's required notation.
Parents must share Social Security notices
Custodial parties must share federal letters confirming a lump-sum retroactive Social Security payment's amount and covered dates. They must send a copy to the other parent within seven days after receiving the letter. They must also send it to the child support enforcement unit if that unit is a party to the case. This reporting rule does not change Social Security benefit amounts.
Support withholding deadlines and processing fees
Support withholding notices must use the federal form and usually include a certified support order. Withholding must start by the first pay period beginning at least 14 calendar days after the notice date. Employers and other payers can charge up to $5 per month, within legal limits on total withholding. Payments must include identifying and deduction details, plus the account number for family support registry cases.
Businesses must report more worker information
New-hire reports must include birth dates and identify each person as an employee or service provider. Independent contractors are not employees under this rule, but separate service-provider reporting applies. Colorado service recipients must report within 20 days after the earlier qualifying payment or contract, using the federal information-reporting threshold. Reporting below that threshold or for unknown amounts is optional; missed required reports face enforcement. Reports stay confidential but are available to child support agencies, and good-faith service-recipient reporting carries civil-liability protection.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Junie Joseph
Democratic • House
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Regina English
Democratic • House
Scott Bright
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Brandi Bradley
Republican • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/5/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 32 • No: 3
Senate vote • 5/2/2025
Refer House Bill 25-1159 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/1/2025
Refer House Bill 25-1159 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 4/28/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 51 • No: 14
House vote • 4/17/2025
Refer House Bill 25-1159, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 9 • No: 2
House vote • 2/12/2025
Refer House Bill 25-1159, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 12 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
5/31/2025HouseSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/15/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/15/2025SenateSent to the Governor
5/15/2025HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/5/2025SenateSenate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
5/2/2025SenateSenate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
5/2/2025SenateSenate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended to Appropriations
5/1/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services
4/29/2025SenateHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/28/2025HouseHouse Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
4/25/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
4/24/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
4/21/2025HouseHouse Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
4/17/2025HouseHouse Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Appropriations
2/12/2025HouseIntroduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
1/29/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
House Appropriations Preamend
House Health & Human Services Preamend
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Signed Act