Parenting classes by state · Colorado
Court-Ordered Parenting Classes in Colorado
In Colorado, the court-ordered parenting / parent-education requirement is the Court-ordered parenting class under C.R.S. 14-10-123.7 (districts commonly order a "Level 1" class, with a longer "Level 2" class for high-conflict cases), overseen by Colorado's 23 judicial districts (the district courts), acting under C.R.S. 14-10-123.7; the statute lets each judicial district establish its own parental-education program or approve private providers, and each district publishes its own approved parenting-class provider list.. Here's who has to take it, whether you can do it online, how long it takes, and how to find a course your judicial district's district court (domestic relations division) will accept.
Quick answer: parenting classes in Colorado
Online classes accepted. Colorado's statute (C.R.S. 14-10-123.7) is discretionary — the court "may order" a parent to attend — but in practice most judicial districts require the class routinely in domestic-relations cases with minor children (Adams County's court page, for example, states that all parties with minor children seeking a divorce, legal separation, or allocation of parental responsibilities must attend a court-approved parenting class). Online completion is widely accepted: district-published approved-provider lists are dominated by online and Zoom-based courses, many offered in Spanish, alongside in-person options. There is no single statewide provider list — each judicial district approves its own, so use the list for the district where your case is filed. your judicial district's district court (domestic relations division) decides what counts — confirm the course and format before you enroll or pay.
At a glance
| Is a parenting class required? | Often — required by many counties/courts (not uniformly statewide) |
|---|---|
| Who takes it & when | Parents of a child under 18 in a Colorado dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, or post-decree case — where the district court orders it, which most judicial districts do routinely through their domestic-relations case management orders. |
| Typical length | Minimum 4 hours for the standard Level 1 class on district provider lists; Level 2 (high-conflict) classes are longer. |
| In person or online? | Online classes accepted |
| Program name | Court-ordered parenting class under C.R.S. 14-10-123.7 (districts commonly order a "Level 1" class, with a longer "Level 2" class for high-conflict cases) |
Colorado-specific rules to know
- The legal basis is C.R.S. 14-10-123.7: a court may order a parent whose child is under 18 to attend a program on the impact of separation and divorce on children in a dissolution, legal separation, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, or post-decree proceeding, or where the parent is subject to a protection order under the article.
- "Level 1" vs "Level 2" comes from judicial-district practice, not the statute: Level 1 is the standard co-parenting education class ordered in most cases, while judges order a longer, skills-based Level 2 class in high-conflict cases (district provider lists price them separately — e.g., the 23rd Judicial District's list shows Level 1 at $29.95 and Level 2 at $124.95 from one provider).
- Who pays: the statute says the program "shall be paid for by the participating parents in accordance with each parent's ability to pay" — and district lists show sliding scales and court fee waivers at many providers.
- Cost varies by district and provider — Level 1 classes on official district lists run roughly $30 to $135 per parent (Adams County's listed providers charge about $39.95-$57).
- Each parent completes the class and files a certificate of completion from the provider with the court; deadlines are set by each district's domestic-relations case management order, so read the order in your case.
Find an approved parenting class in Colorado
Start with the official state or court list — that's the one your judicial district's district court (domestic relations division) is most likely to accept — then confirm the specific course with your court or clerk:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for parenting classes in Colorado — then check any provider against the official guidance above and your court's order before enrolling.
Can you take it online? Colorado generally accepts approved online parenting courses. An approved online course can be the fastest way to finish — but confirm your judicial district's district court (domestic relations division) accepts your specific course first. How court-approved online parenting classes work →
Source & accuracy: compiled from Colorado's 23 judicial districts (the district courts), acting under C.R.S. 14-10-123.7; the statute lets each judicial district establish its own parental-education program or approve private providers, and each district publishes its own approved parenting-class provider list. and official Colorado court sources. Requirements change and vary by county and case — always confirm the course, format, hours, and deadline with your court before enrolling. Sources: colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_14-10-123.7, law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-14/dissolution-of-marriage-parental-responsibilities/article-10/section-14-10-123-7, coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/adams-county/parenting-classes, coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/23rd%20JD%20Parenting%20Class%20Provider%20List%201.25%20R.pdf.