Child support is generally intended to help with the costs of raising the child—including food, clothing, shelter, and education—but laws vary from state to state and are often unclear on the extent to which child support payments are intended to help the custodial parent pay for half of school supplies, health care, braces, glasses, dental care, uninsured medical care, transportation (car), daycare, sports camps, cheerleading camps, school trips, social activities, and extracurricular activities.

Most state laws (statutes) don’t identify the specific child-rearing costs to which the custodial parent is required to contribute payment from child support and other resources—and because these issues are frequently the source of parental conflict, parents should identify all expected future costs and agree to the process for sharing them.

In Colorado, child support is governed by state statutes that provide guidelines for determining the amount of support to be paid, which is based on the incomes of both parents and the needs of the child. The purpose of child support is to cover the basic needs of the child, such as food, clothing, shelter, and education. While the law provides a formula for calculating support, it does not explicitly list every specific expense that must be covered. However, Colorado law does recognize additional expenses such as health care, including dental and vision care, and may require parents to share the cost of health insurance premiums and uninsured medical expenses. The cost of child care incurred due to employment or education of the custodial parent can also be included in the child support calculation. Expenses for extracurricular activities and other special needs may be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Parents are encouraged to come to an agreement on how to handle these additional expenses and may use mediation or court intervention to resolve disputes. It is advisable for parents to consult with an attorney to understand their rights and obligations regarding child support and to assist in negotiating a comprehensive agreement that addresses the various costs associated with raising their child.