Child support generally may be changed or modified by filing a motion to modify and demonstrating to the court that the circumstances of the child or one or both parents have materially and substantially changed, or that some period of time (3 years, for example) has passed since the court’s last child support order. And if there has been a material and substantial change in the custody of the child—if, for example, the noncustodial parent who was paying child support has become the custodial parent—the court may change or eliminate the child support obligation based on the change in the custody arrangement.

In Colorado, child support orders can be modified if there has been a material and substantial change in the circumstances of the child or either parent. This could include significant changes in income, changes in the cost of raising the child, or a change in the child's residential schedule. Additionally, Colorado law allows for a review of child support orders every three years, at which point either parent can request a modification without showing a change in circumstances. If there is a change in custody, such as the noncustodial parent becoming the custodial parent, the court may also modify or terminate the child support obligation to reflect the new custody arrangement. To initiate a modification, the parent must file a motion to modify with the court, and the court will evaluate if the demonstrated changes warrant an adjustment to the child support order.