Child support obligations generally terminate, as provided by the child support order from the court, when the child reaches the age of majority (18 in most states). If a parent is obligated to pay child support and the child becomes emancipated before reaching the age of majority in the state (usually 18), the parent may no longer have to pay child support. But the child support obligation in this circumstance does not terminate automatically, and the parent generally must seek an order terminating the support obligation from the court that issued the child support order. And if the child has special needs (health care, living, education), the parent may be required to pay child support even after the child reaches the age of majority or is emancipated.

In Colorado, child support obligations typically end when a child reaches the age of 19, which is the age of majority for child support purposes in the state. However, if a child becomes emancipated before reaching 19, the parent may be relieved from the obligation to pay child support. Emancipation could occur through marriage, military service, or the child's self-sufficiency. Nonetheless, the termination of child support due to emancipation is not automatic. The parent must file a motion with the court that issued the original child support order to terminate the obligation. Additionally, if the child has special needs, the court may order child support to continue beyond the age of 19 to address the child's healthcare, living, or educational expenses. It is important for parents to consult with an attorney to understand their rights and obligations regarding child support, especially in cases involving emancipation or children with special needs.