Summer should be about road trips, lake days, and watching your kids make memories. But for Colorado parents navigating a custody arrangement, the weeks between Memorial Day and back-to-school can also bring real stress — last-minute schedule conflicts, travel disagreements, and confusion about what your parenting plan actually allows. The good news: most summer custody issues are entirely preventable with a little planning and a clear understanding of Colorado law.
In This Article
- Colorado Uses “Parenting Time,” Not “Custody”
- How Summer Parenting Time Works in Colorado
- Can You Take Your Kids on Vacation?
- What If Plans Overlap With the Other Parent’s Time?
- Summer Activities, Camps, and Decision-Making
- 5 Things to Do Before Summer Starts
- When the Summer Goes Wrong
- Frequently Asked Questions
First Things First: Colorado Uses “Parenting Time,” Not “Custody”
If you’ve been through the Colorado family court system, you already know this — but it’s worth a quick reminder. Since 1999, Colorado courts replaced the terms “custody” and “visitation” with parenting time and parental responsibilities under C.R.S. § 14-10-103. The words changed; the concepts didn’t.
Your parenting plan is the governing document — approved by a Colorado judge — that controls when your child is with each parent, including during summer. Everything in this article flows from whatever that plan says. Before you make any summer plans, read it carefully. If you need help understanding or updating your plan, the family law attorneys at Timlin & Rye are happy to walk you through it.
How Summer Parenting Time Works in Colorado
Colorado parenting plans are required to address summer vacation, but there’s no single statewide standard — every family’s plan is tailored to their situation. The three most common approaches are:
- Keep the regular school-year schedule all summer — simple and predictable, common for families who live close to one another
- Split summer into equal blocks — typically 5–6 weeks with each parent, suitable when parenting time is roughly 50/50 during the year
- Alternate entire summers — one parent has all of summer one year, the other the next
For families where parents live more than three to four hours apart, Colorado courts commonly award the non-residential parent six to ten consecutive weeks of summer parenting time. This preserves a meaningful relationship with the child while protecting their school-year routine.
The bottom line: your plan is specific to your family. Don’t assume — read your parenting plan before booking anything. If your current plan isn’t working for your family’s summer needs, our attorneys can help you explore a parenting time modification.
Can You Take Your Kids on Vacation? The Rules in Plain English
Traveling Within Colorado
If the trip is within Colorado and falls during your designated parenting time, you generally do not need the other parent’s permission. That said, best practice — and simple common courtesy — is to notify your co-parent of your travel dates, destination, and how to reach you and your child at least 14 days in advance. Colorado courts look favorably on parents who communicate proactively, and this kind of good-faith communication can matter if you ever return to court.
Traveling Out of State
Most Colorado parenting plans require either written consent from the other parent or court approval before taking your child across state lines. The exact requirement depends on the specific language in your plan — so check it word for word before making plans.
If your parenting plan is silent on out-of-state travel, notify your co-parent in advance and document their agreement in writing. A text or email is sufficient. If you’re unsure what your plan requires, speak with one of our family law attorneys before booking anything.
International Travel
International trips require written permission from the other parent — full stop. If your co-parent refuses and your parenting plan doesn’t address international travel, you may need to return to court before any trip can happen.
It’s also worth knowing that only about half of the world’s countries participate in the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, which provides a framework for enforcing custody orders across borders. If your co-parent has a history of non-compliance with court orders, speak with an attorney before any international trip is booked — by either parent.
⚖️ Key Rule to Remember
When in doubt about travel, get it in writing first. A quick text exchange confirming your co-parent’s approval takes two minutes and can prevent serious legal complications later. If you can’t get that agreement, contact us before you go.
What If Your Summer Plans Overlap With the Other Parent’s Time?
This is one of the most common summer flashpoints. You’ve found the perfect week for a family reunion — but it lands on your co-parent’s scheduled parenting time.
If communication between you is reasonably cooperative, the solution is usually a schedule trade: swap weeks, offer make-up time, or adjust by mutual agreement. Whatever you agree to, document it in writing before any plans are finalized.
If communication is difficult, follow your parenting plan to the letter and consult a family law attorney about your options. Making unilateral changes to the schedule — even with genuinely good intentions — can put you in a difficult legal position. If your plan consistently creates conflict around summers, it may be worth discussing a formal modification with an attorney.
Summer Activities, Camps, and Decision-Making
Enrolling your child in summer camp or a sports league sounds routine — but it may require more than just your say-so.
Colorado parenting plans distinguish between parenting time (when your child is physically with you) and decision-making responsibilities (who has authority to make major decisions about your child’s life, including education, medical care, and extracurriculars). If you share joint decision-making responsibilities with your co-parent, significant activity enrollments — especially those involving substantial cost, travel, or scheduling impact — may require both parents’ agreement.
Review the decision-making section of your parenting plan carefully before signing your child up for anything major this summer. When in doubt, loop in your co-parent first. The Colorado Judicial Branch’s family law self-help resources offer a useful general overview of how decision-making responsibilities work in Colorado.
5 Things to Do Before Summer Starts
A little preparation now prevents a lot of conflict later. Here’s a simple pre-summer checklist for Colorado co-parents:
- Re-read your parenting plan — pay close attention to the sections on summer schedule, travel, and decision-making responsibilities
- Communicate vacation plans early — give your co-parent at least 30 days’ notice for any significant trip, and put your request in writing
- Get all agreements in writing — texts and emails both work; just make sure there’s a clear, dated record
- Check passport status — if international travel is even a possibility, verify your child’s passport is current well before departure
- Talk to an attorney if your plan is unclear — if your parenting plan doesn’t address summer in adequate detail, get clarity now rather than mid-July when the stakes are higher
When the Summer Goes Wrong
Even with the best intentions on both sides, summer can become a source of serious conflict. Your co-parent doesn’t return the kids on time. They take your child out of state without notice. They enroll your child in activities without your knowledge or agreement.
If your parenting plan is being violated, the steps are straightforward:
- Document everything — save texts and emails, and keep a written log of violations with specific dates and times
- Contact a family law attorney promptly — Colorado courts take parenting plan violations seriously, and an attorney can help you pursue enforcement or modification through the proper legal channels
- Don’t retaliate — withholding your co-parent’s parenting time or making your own unilateral changes can put you in legal jeopardy, even when the other parent is clearly at fault
One situation that deserves special attention: if you or your co-parent is facing criminal charges, that can directly affect parenting time arrangements — sometimes urgently. Courts consider the nature of the charges and any potential risk to the child. If this applies to your situation, read our guide on how criminal charges affect custody in Colorado, and contact us right away. Timlin & Rye handles both criminal defense and family law — which means we can protect you on both fronts simultaneously.
If you believe your child is in immediate danger, Colorado law allows you to seek an emergency restriction of the other parent’s parenting time. Contact our office immediately — we serve clients across Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Douglas Counties.
Related Articles from Timlin & Rye
- Criminal Charges and Custody in Colorado: What Every Parent Must Know
- Child Custody in Colorado: How It Works
- Understanding Child Support in Colorado
- Custody & Parenting Time: Your Rights in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission to take my child on vacation in Colorado?
For in-state travel during your designated parenting time, you generally don’t need the other parent’s permission — though notifying them at least 14 days in advance is best practice. Out-of-state travel typically requires written consent or court approval depending on your parenting plan. International travel always requires written permission from your co-parent. When in doubt, contact our office before making plans.
How is summer parenting time typically divided in Colorado?
The three most common approaches are: maintaining the regular school-year schedule, splitting summer into equal blocks (usually 5–6 weeks per parent), or alternating entire summers. For long-distance arrangements, courts often award the non-residential parent 6–10 weeks of continuous summer parenting time. Every plan is different — always refer to your specific court-approved parenting plan.
Can a parent take a child out of Colorado without the other parent’s permission?
Most Colorado parenting plans require written consent from the other parent or court approval before taking a child across state lines. If your plan doesn’t address this specifically, notify your co-parent and document their agreement in writing before traveling. Our parenting time attorneys can review your plan and clarify your rights.
What happens if my co-parent violates the parenting plan over summer?
Document the violation — dates, times, all communications — and contact a family law attorney as soon as possible. Colorado courts take parenting plan violations seriously. Avoid retaliating by withholding parenting time, as this can complicate your legal position even when the other parent is clearly at fault. Timlin & Rye can help you enforce your rights.
Does child support change if my child spends more time with me over summer?
Not automatically. In Colorado, child support is calculated using both parents’ incomes and overnight counts across the full year — not just summer. A temporary schedule change doesn’t automatically modify support. If a permanent schedule change warrants a support modification, speak with an attorney about the formal process.
Can criminal charges affect my custody rights in Colorado?
Yes — and more quickly than most parents expect. Colorado courts take the nature of any criminal charges into account when evaluating parenting time, particularly when children may be affected. If you or your co-parent is facing charges, read our full guide on how criminal charges affect custody in Colorado and contact us immediately. Our firm handles both sides of this intersection.
Questions About Your Parenting Plan This Summer?
Whether you’re planning a trip, navigating a schedule dispute, or wondering if your parenting plan needs updating, the attorneys at Timlin & Rye are here to help.
We serve families across Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, and surrounding counties. The best time to get clarity is before a problem becomes a crisis. Schedule a Free Consultation
Or call us directly: 303-837-9284
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Colorado family law matters are fact-specific. The information on this page is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a licensed Colorado attorney for guidance tailored to your situation.