When a parent ordered to pay child support (the obligor) fails to make the payments (is in arrears), the Office of the Attorney General in your state may take one or more actions to enforce the child support obligation. These enforcement actions may include court action (civil and criminal contempt charges); suspension of the obligor’s driver’s license; reporting the delinquency to credit reporting agencies; denial or suspension of the obligor’s passport privileges; and liens on properties, bank accounts, life insurance plans, retirement plans, personal injury claims, and other assets.

In Colorado, when a parent (the obligor) fails to pay court-ordered child support and falls into arrears, the Colorado Office of the Attorney General can take several enforcement actions. These actions may include initiating civil or criminal contempt charges, which could lead to fines or even jail time for the non-compliant parent. The state can also suspend the obligor's driver's license, making it illegal for them to drive until they pay the overdue child support or make arrangements to do so. Additionally, the state may report the delinquency to credit reporting agencies, which can negatively affect the obligor's credit score and make it more difficult to obtain loans or credit. The obligor's passport privileges can be denied or suspended, preventing them from traveling internationally until they resolve their child support arrears. Furthermore, liens can be placed on the obligor's property, bank accounts, life insurance plans, retirement plans, personal injury claims, and other assets to secure the owed child support. These measures are designed to compel compliance with child support orders and ensure that children receive the financial support they are entitled to.