Parenting across state lines isn’t easy, but it’s more common than ever in such a connected world. Whether it’s because of a new job, family obligations, or simply a fresh start, many parents find themselves needing to build a parenting plan that covers serious distance.

In Colorado, the courts still expect both parents to stay actively involved in their child’s life, even when hundreds or thousands of miles separate them. But what does that actually look like in practice? How do you create a schedule that’s realistic, fair, and keeps your relationship strong?

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about out-of-state visitation, or as it’s more commonly called here, long-distance parenting time. We’ll break down how Colorado courts look at these situations, explore example schedules for different age groups, and give you practical tips for making a plan that works for everyone.

What Counts as “Out of State” or Long-Distance Parenting in Colorado?

In Colorado, there’s no strict mileage rule that defines when a custody arrangement becomes “long-distance.” Instead, it comes down to whether significant travel is needed for parenting time to happen. A move across town usually isn’t a big deal. But if a parent relocates far enough that plane tickets, long drives, or overnight stays become necessary, courts will treat it as a long-distance situation.

When distance makes frequent exchanges impractical, the parenting plan needs to adapt. The focus stays on protecting the child’s relationship with both parents while minimizing disruptions to their daily life, like school and activities.

For example, a move from Denver to Phoenix would clearly count as long-distance. A move from Denver to Colorado Springs might not, unless it starts affecting the child’s ability to maintain regular parenting time.

Legal Framework for Out-of-State Parenting Time in Colorado

Colorado law puts the child’s best interests at the center of any custody or parenting time decision. When distance becomes a factor, certain legal standards kick in.

If a parent wants to move out of state with a child, they must follow Colorado’s relocation rules under Colorado Revised Statutes §14-10-124(1.5)(b). This usually means giving formal notice to the other parent and possibly asking the court to modify the parenting plan. The court will consider factors like the reason for the move, the impact on the child, and how realistic it is to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents.

If changes to the parenting time schedule are needed because of a move, they are handled under Colorado Revised Statutes §14-10-129, which governs how parenting plans can be modified after a final order.

While courts rarely deny parenting time altogether due to distance, they can and do restructure schedules heavily, especially to reduce the burden of constant travel on the child. 

Key Factors Colorado Courts Consider in Long-Distance Parenting Plans

When long-distance parenting is involved, Colorado courts look at several important factors to decide what arrangement will work best for the child. These include:

  • School stability: Courts prioritize minimizing disruptions to the child’s education and extracurricular activities.
  • Travel logistics: The practicality, safety, and cost of travel between homes are all weighed carefully.
  • Willingness of the child: As children grow older, their preferences carry more weight, especially once they are teenagers.
  • Parental cooperation: Courts look favorably on parents who demonstrate flexibility, good communication, and a willingness to work together.
  • Time zone differences: Significant time zone changes can impact visitation schedules and daily routines, especially for younger children.

Ultimately, the goal is to protect the child’s emotional health and ensure they can maintain strong, meaningful relationships with both parents despite the distance.

Sample Out-of-State Parenting Time Schedules by Age Group

Every child’s needs are different, but certain parenting time patterns tend to work better depending on the child’s age and stage of development. Here are a few examples:

Infants and Toddlers (0-5 Years)

At this stage, frequent contact is crucial for bonding. Parents might use:

  • Short, frequent visits when possible
  • Daily virtual contact through video calls
  • Sending familiar items (like toys or books) between homes to maintain continuity

Elementary School Children (6-10 Years)

For school-aged children, longer but less frequent visits can work well. Common arrangements include:

  • Alternating major school breaks (Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break)
  • Monthly weekend visits if travel allows
  • Extended summer visits lasting several weeks

Tweens and Teens (11-17 Years)

Older children and teens often want more say in the schedule. Options might include:

  • Extended summer parenting time with one or more visits during the school year
  • Rotating major holidays
  • Flexible schedules that consider the teen’s academic and social life

Popular Parenting Time Schedules for Colorado Families

When parents live far apart, a typical week-on, week-off custody schedule simply doesn’t work. Instead, Colorado families often build parenting time around major school breaks and long holidays. Here are a few examples that courts and parents commonly approve:

Holiday Split Plans: Parents alternate major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break each year. For example, one parent might have Thanksgiving in even years, and the other in odd years.

Alternating Summer Schedules: Some families divide the summer in half, giving each parent about six weeks with the child. Others split the summer into two- or three-week blocks to avoid long separations.

Monthly Fly-In Visits: If travel budgets allow, one parent might fly to the child’s city for a weekend visit every month or fly the child out to stay with them.

Full Summer and Extended Winter Break: In some cases, the non-primary parent gets the entire summer vacation and part of winter break to balance out limited school-year visits.

50/50 Parenting Time: True 50/50 custody is rare for long-distance setups, but some families create seasonal splits, with one parent having most of the school year and the other parent taking full summers and alternating holidays.

There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule. The best plan is the one that keeps the child connected to both parents without overwhelming their school and social life.

Creative Solutions to Common Long-Distance Challenges

Long-distance parenting doesn’t have to mean losing touch with your child. With a little creativity, you can make the distance feel smaller and the time together more meaningful.

One strategy is splitting the summer into two shorter stays instead of one long visit. This gives kids a break from being away from their home base too long and can ease homesickness. Some parents also build in extra trips during long weekends or teacher planning days, creating more touchpoints throughout the year.

Travel rewards can make a big difference, too. If one parent racks up frequent flyer miles or earns a companion pass through an airline, it can stretch the travel budget and make monthly visits more realistic. Planning travel early also helps lower costs and reduce last-minute chaos.

Finally, don’t underestimate the challenge of time zones. A 7:00 p.m. bedtime in Denver is 6:00 p.m. in California, and 9:00 p.m. in New York. Setting regular video call times that work for the child’s routine helps keep the relationship strong even when you’re not in the same zip code.

Travel Responsibilities and Cost Sharing in Colorado Parenting Plans

When parents live far apart, travel expenses can add up quickly. Colorado courts usually expect parents to address these costs clearly in their parenting plans, especially when long-distance arrangements are involved.

In many cases, the parent who relocated is expected to shoulder a larger share of the travel costs. However, it’s not a hard rule, as some families split airfare, gas, hotel stays, or other costs 50/50, especially when the move was agreed upon or unavoidable.

It’s smart to build detailed travel arrangements into your parenting plan. This might include:

  • Who buys plane tickets or books travel
  • Which airports can be used
  • Age restrictions on a child flying alone
  • How reimbursements are handled if one parent pays upfront

Spelling out these details early helps prevent misunderstandings later and keeps the focus on making parenting time happen smoothly.

Virtual Parenting Time: How Technology Bridges the Distance

When regular in-person visits aren’t possible, virtual parenting time becomes an essential tool. Colorado courts increasingly recognize the importance of video calls, messaging, and other technology to help maintain parent-child bonds across state lines.

While virtual parenting time isn’t always a guaranteed legal right, many parenting plans now include it as part of the standard communication schedule. Tools like FaceTime, Zoom, and apps such as OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents make it easier than ever to stay involved in things like homework and bedtime stories.

When setting up a plan, it’s helpful to agree on:

  • How often virtual contact will occur
  • Which platforms or apps will be used
  • Backup plans if technology fails

Building virtual parenting time into the formal agreement treats it not as an afterthought, but as a real part of the child’s relationship with both parents.

Teenagers and Out-of-State Parenting: Special Considerations

Let’s be honest, parenting teenagers is tough. Parenting teenagers across state lines is a whole different ballgame. Children don’t technically have the legal right to refuse court-ordered parenting time in Colorado, but judges do give more consideration to their preferences as they get older-usually around age 14.

Teenagers often have busy schedules filled with school, sports, part-time jobs, and social lives. Forcing rigid travel plans without their input can backfire, leading to resentment or even noncompliance. All that said, it’s important for parents to consider:

  • Building in options for the teen to choose visit dates within set windows
  • Being realistic about missed visits and offering alternatives like extended holidays or long weekends
  • Keeping open communication about travel expectations well in advance

Compliance with the court order is important, obviously, but maintaining a strong, lasting relationship during a stage of life when kids naturally pull away is the ultimate goal here.

Building a Colorado-Friendly Parenting Plan

In Colorado, parenting plans must be detailed enough to avoid future conflicts, and long-distance arrangements are no exception. This should cover both logistics and communication, anticipating problems before they arise.

At minimum, a good Colorado parenting plan for out-of-state arrangements should include:

  • Specific parenting time schedules for school breaks, holidays, and summer
  • Clear rules on how travel will be booked and paid for
  • Virtual parenting time expectations, including frequency and platforms
  • Procedures for adjusting the schedule if the child’s needs or school calendar change

If an existing order needs to be updated because of a move, parents can request a modification. Courts will reassess the situation based on the child’s best interests and the practical realities of maintaining strong relationships with both parents.

Working with an experienced family law attorney can help ensure the plan covers all necessary details while meeting Colorado’s legal standards.