What Is Parental Relocation in Colorado?
What Is Parental Relocation in Denver Colorado?
In Colorado, parental relocation refers to one parent’s request to move with their child to a new city, county, or state. Because this decision impacts parenting time and the child’s relationships, the court must decide whether the move serves the best interests of the child.
When one parent wishes to move and the other objects, the court carefully examines the case. Colorado law recognizes that parents may need to move for valid reasons, but it also prioritizes a child’s access to both parents whenever possible.
Relocation cases are rarely simple. They require careful preparation, emotional resilience, and a clear legal strategy.
Common Reasons Parents Request Relocation
Every relocation request has a story. Some common reasons include:
A new job or career advancement
Financial opportunities that support long-term stability
Access to extended family for childcare and support
Better educational opportunities for the child
Personal healing or the need for a fresh environment after divorce
Whatever the reason, behind every request is a parent doing their best to create a brighter future. And behind every objection is another parent deeply committed to preserving their bond with their child. Both perspectives matter.
How Denver CO Courts Decide Parental Relocation Cases
Relocation cases in Colorado are not decided lightly. Judges follow a structured process, asking questions such as:
Why does the parent want to move?
Why does the other parent oppose the move?
What is the current parenting arrangement?
How will the move affect the child’s relationship with both parents?
What opportunities or challenges will relocation create for the child?
The court considers:
The child’s relationships with each parent and extended family
The child’s educational, emotional, and developmental needs
The practicality of long-distance parenting plans
Each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other
The guiding principle remains: Will this move serve the best interests of the child?
The Emotional Impact of Relocation Cases
If you’re considering relocation, or facing the possibility that your co-parent may move, you’re likely experiencing intense emotions:
Fear of losing time with your child
Worry about how the change will affect stability
Stress from navigating complex legal rules
Guilt about wanting something that may impact your child’s relationship with the other parent
These feelings are normal. At Dunsing Law, we encourage parents to acknowledge these emotions rather than push them aside. Relocation decisions are not only legal—they are deeply personal.
What To Do If You’re the Parent Seeking Relocation
If you are requesting relocation, here are key steps:
Communicate Early and Honestly – Inform your co-parent as soon as possible. Surprises often create conflict.
Gather Documentation – Collect proof showing how relocation benefits your child (job offers, school opportunities, family support).
Plan for Parenting Time – Propose a realistic long-distance parenting schedule.
Work With an Experienced Colorado Family Law Attorney – Skilled representation is essential in relocation cases.
What To Do If You’re Opposing Relocation
If your co-parent is seeking relocation and you object:
Stay Calm and Grounded – Respond thoughtfully, not reactively.
Center the Child’s Needs – Courts want to hear how relocation impacts the child, not only how it affects you.
Document Your Role – Show your involvement and importance in your child’s daily life.
Seek Skilled Legal Support – Ensure your rights and your child’s needs are fully represented.
Long-Distance Parenting After Relocation
When relocation is approved, families often adapt through:
Extended summer and holiday parenting time
Clear travel expense arrangements
Virtual connection through video calls and shared online activities
Though challenging, many families create meaningful ways to maintain strong bonds across distance.
Why You Need an Experienced Relocation Attorney
Relocation cases are among the most difficult in Colorado family law. They involve both legal complexity and emotional weight. Without strategic representation, parents can feel overwhelmed.
At Dunsing Law, we:
Understand how Colorado judges evaluate relocation requests
Build evidence-based, child-focused arguments
Provide compassionate support through every step
Help families move from fear and confusion to clarity and confidence
Keeping the Focus on Your Child’s Best Interests
Relocation cases may seem like battles, but at their core, they are about your child’s future. Children thrive when they feel secure, loved, and supported, even in the midst of change.
Ask yourself:
What helps my child feel safe and supported?
How can I protect their relationship with both parents?
What steps bring stability to this transition?
Centering these questions helps families navigate relocation with dignity and focus.
How Dunsing Law Supports Parents in Relocation Cases
We offer:
Clear Legal Guidance – Explaining your rights and options in plain terms.
Strategic Advocacy – Presenting strong, evidence-backed arguments.
Compassionate Support – Recognizing and validating the emotional toll.
Holistic Planning – Looking beyond the courtroom to long-term co-parenting and stability.
Our mission: to protect what matters most—your child’s future.
Take the Next Step With Confidence
If you are facing a parental relocation case in Colorado, know this: you are not alone. These cases are difficult, but with the right support, they can become moments of clarity and transformation.
At Dunsing Law, we help parents find clarity in the chaos, strength in uncertainty, and peace of mind in the middle of conflict. Whether you are seeking relocation or opposing it, we stand beside you—steady, strategic, and all in.
Schedule your free, confidential consultation today. Let’s create a plan that honors your child’s needs, your family’s values, and your future.
Final Word of Reassurance
Relocation doesn’t have to mean the end of closeness, stability, or connection. With the right guidance, it can become part of a new chapter, one where your child is supported, your voice is heard, and your future feels possible again.
At Dunsing Law in Denver Colorado, we are here to walk beside you, every step of the way.
