The structure: district courts, by judicial district

In Colorado, family law cases are heard by the district court of the county where the case is venued. Colorado organizes its trial courts into judicial districts — each with its own judges, local practices, and scheduling rhythms.

For the Denver metro, the five relevant court systems are:

  • Denver District Court (2nd Judicial District) — domestic relations at the Denver City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street, Denver
  • Arapahoe County District Court (18th Judicial District) — Arapahoe County Justice Center, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial
  • Jefferson County District Court (1st Judicial District, with Gilpin County) — Jefferson Combined Court, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden
  • Adams County District Court (17th Judicial District, with Broomfield County) — Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Drive, Brighton
  • Douglas County District Court (23rd Judicial District, with Elbert and Lincoln counties — new as of January 2025) — Douglas County Justice Center, 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock

The four main case types

  • Dissolution of marriage (divorce) — ends a marriage; resolves parental responsibilities, parenting time, child support, maintenance, and property division.
  • Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR) — addresses parenting time, decision-making responsibility, and child support for parents who were never married (or where these issues need to be addressed outside a divorce). Opens with a Petition for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (form JDF 1413).
  • Modification — changes an existing order. Parenting time modifications are governed by C.R.S. § 14-10-129.
  • Enforcement / Contempt — addresses a party's failure to comply with an existing order, including motions concerning parenting time disputes.

Supervised parenting time can be ordered in any of these case types.

The lifecycle of a typical contested family law case in Colorado

  1. Petition filed — Petitioner files; the other party is served (or the parties file jointly as co-petitioners).
  2. Response — typically due 21 days after service for in-state parties.
  3. Initial Status Conference — an early case-management conference, typically held within the first several weeks of the case.
  4. Mandatory financial disclosures — both parties exchange sworn financial statements and supporting documents early in the case under Colorado's domestic relations rules.
  5. Temporary orders (if requested) — interim orders on parenting time, decision-making, and support while the case is pending.
  6. Mediation — metro district courts commonly order mediation before contested hearings. Many cases settle here.
  7. Permanent orders hearing — a bench trial before a district court judge. Colorado does not use juries in domestic relations cases.
  8. Decree / permanent orders entered. (In a dissolution, Colorado requires at least 91 days between service/joint filing and the decree.)
  9. Post-decree — modifications and enforcement matters can be brought as needed.

Where supervised parenting time enters the process

  • At Temporary Orders — interim supervised parenting time while the case is pending
  • In Permanent Orders — longer-term supervised parenting time as part of the parenting plan
  • By Motion to Modify Parenting Time (form JDF 1406) — changing an existing order under C.R.S. § 14-10-129
  • By Motion to Restrict Parenting Time under C.R.S. § 14-10-129(4) — when imminent physical or emotional danger to the child is alleged, the court sets a hearing within 14 days

For procedural detail on requesting it, see our guide to requesting supervised visitation in Colorado.

Key Colorado family law professionals

  • District Court Judge or Magistrate — issues orders, presides at hearings and permanent orders
  • Child and Family Investigator (CFI) — appointed under C.R.S. § 14-10-116.5 to investigate and make recommendations on the best interests of the child
  • Legal representative of the child — an attorney appointed to represent the child's best interests in some cases
  • Parental Responsibilities Evaluator — a mental health professional appointed to conduct a deeper evaluation in contested cases
  • Mediator — facilitates settlement; mediation is commonly ordered before contested hearings
  • Parenting Coordinator / Decision-Maker — appointed post-decree in some cases to help parents implement orders
  • Supervised Visitation Provider — a TruVisit Denver-style neutral third party present at visits

Practical realities

  • Cases take time. Colorado requires a minimum 91-day waiting period in dissolution cases. Contested parenting cases routinely take 6–12 months or longer. Modifications can take similar time.
  • Most cases settle. The vast majority never reach a contested permanent orders hearing — court-ordered mediation is part of why.
  • Documentation matters. Colorado family courts are evidence-driven — and good evidence is documented.
  • Professional supervision strengthens your record. Whether you're asking for supervised parenting time or subject to it, having a professional provider produces a credible documentary record the court relies on.
About TruVisit Denver reports Our session reports are written in objective, non-editorial professional language, timestamped throughout, and formatted to meet the documentation standards used by the district courts of Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, and Douglas counties. Reports are delivered within 24 hours of each visit.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out which judge has my case?
Once a case is filed, the clerk assigns it to a division. The assignment appears on case documents, and Colorado case information is searchable through the Colorado Judicial Branch's public resources.
Can I request a jury trial in a Colorado parenting time case?
No. Colorado domestic relations cases — including parenting time and decision-making disputes — are decided by a judge, not a jury.
Do I have to go to court for supervised parenting time if both parents agree?
Even when both parents agree, an enforceable order has to come from the court. The parties can submit a stipulated parenting plan for the judge to approve — no contested hearing required. Many supervised parenting time arrangements start as stipulations.
Does TruVisit Denver work with self-represented (pro se) parents?
Yes. Many of the parents we work with are pro se. We don't provide legal advice — but we do explain how our service works, what our reports look like, and what to expect logistically.