How to collect unpaid child support in Colorado

Arrears, interest and enforcement, with a letter to the agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. Support due and unpaid after July 1, 2021 earns 10% a year; support due and unpaid before July 1, 2021 earns 12% compounded monthly, unless the parents agreed otherwise (C.R.S. 14-14-106; Judicial Branch forms JDF 1807 and JDF 1800).

Interest on unpaid support
10% a year
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

How support is collected in Colorado

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:

  • Income assignment (wage withholding)
  • Driver's and recreational license suspension
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Tax refund and other payment intercepts
  • Verified entry of support judgment and liens on property
  • Contempt of court

Law: C.R.S. 14-10-122(1)(c); C.R.S. 14-14-106

Ask the agency in writing to collect what is owed: Ask the agency to collect unpaid support

Does unpaid support grow in Colorado?

Support due and unpaid after July 1, 2021 earns 10% a year; support due and unpaid before July 1, 2021 earns 12% compounded monthly, unless the parents agreed otherwise (C.R.S. 14-14-106; Judicial Branch forms JDF 1807 and JDF 1800).

Tools that work in every state

  • Tax refunds. The federal government can take a federal tax refund to pay past-due child support. Law: 42 U.S.C. 664
  • Passports. A parent who owes more than $2,500 in past-due support can be refused a passport. Law: 42 U.S.C. 652(k)
  • Pay withholding limit. For support, up to 50% of take-home pay can be withheld if the parent supports another spouse or child, or 60% if not. It is 55% or 65% when support is more than 12 weeks behind. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)
  • Past-due support. Each unpaid payment becomes a judgment on the day it is due. It can't be lowered later, except back to the date the other parent got notice of a request to change the order. Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

Court action in Colorado

File a Verified Motion and Affidavit for Citation for Contempt of Court (JDF 1816); the court can impose fines or jail. Many courts ask parents to try mediation first (JDF 1800).

In nearby states

Your next steps in Colorado

  1. Keep a payment record

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Ask the agency to enforce

    Ask for enforcement from Colorado Department of Human Services, Child Support Services (CSS) program ((303) 866-4300) · Apply online

  3. Give the agency leads

    Leads about income or address speed up collection.

  4. Ask about interest

    Ask whether interest is added and how much is owed in total.

  5. Get help

    Legal aid can help for free: Colorado Legal Services.

Free help in Colorado

Questions about unpaid support in Colorado

What happens if child support is not paid in Colorado?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income assignment (wage withholding); Driver's and recreational license suspension; Credit bureau reporting; Tax refund and other payment intercepts; Verified entry of support judgment and liens on property; Contempt of court.

Can a parent be held in contempt for not paying in Colorado?

File a Verified Motion and Affidavit for Citation for Contempt of Court (JDF 1816); the court can impose fines or jail. Many courts ask parents to try mediation first (JDF 1800).

What is the interest rate on arrears in Colorado?

Support due and unpaid after July 1, 2021 earns 10% a year; support due and unpaid before July 1, 2021 earns 12% compounded monthly, unless the parents agreed otherwise (C.R.S. 14-14-106; Judicial Branch forms JDF 1807 and JDF 1800).

Related Colorado pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources