Is a parenting class required for divorce?

In most states, yes — a short court-approved co-parenting course (4–6 hours, 5–$75, often online) is required before any divorce or custody order involving minor children is finalized. Check your state court's approved provider list.

What's the difference between mediation and court?

Mediation is a confidential negotiation with a neutral third party helping both parents agree on a parenting plan. It's faster, cheaper, and less adversarial than litigation. If mediation fails or one parent refuses, the court decides. Court-based mediation programs are usually free or sliding-scale.

Which co-parenting apps do courts accept?

OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses are court-admissible in most US jurisdictions. They provide tamper-proof message logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and documentation judges will read if conflict escalates.

What is a parenting plan?

A written document (required in every custody order) detailing where the child lives, when each parent has parenting time, how decisions are made, how holidays are handled, how to resolve disputes, and how to handle changes. Courts provide templates; customized plans are stronger than boilerplate.

Co-Parenting in Colorado

10 verified resources.

About Co-Parenting for Fathers

Co-parenting programs help separated and divorced parents share custody constructively, minimize conflict, and raise children across two households. Most states require court-ordered parent education (often called 'parenting classes' or 'children first' programs) before finalizing a divorce or custody order involving minor children. These classes are usually four to six hours, available online or in person, and cost 5–$75. Private co-parenting mediation is available through court-based mediation programs (often free or sliding-scale) and through private mediators certified by state mediation councils. Digital tools like OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses provide court-admissible communication logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and messaging — many family courts now encourage or require their use in high-conflict cases. This directory includes all three: state-required classes, mediators, and co-parenting apps.

Co-Parenting in Colorado

Colorado uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' instead of 'custody' and handles cases in district courts. The Child Support Services division runs enforcement statewide. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Collins anchor the major metros. Colorado Legal Services (the statewide LSC program), Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, and numerous county self-help centers support fathers statewide.

10 Resources

1. OurFamilyWizard — Paid

Co-parenting communication platform accepted by Colorado courts for documented messaging, shared calendars, expense tracking, and the ToneMeter feature that flags hostile language. Serves separated and divorced parents nationwide, including all Colorado counties. Sign up at the website, create parent profiles, and invite your co-parent; subscription fees apply, and many courts will order use as part of a parenting plan.

866-755-9991 · App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

2. TalkingParents — Free

Court-admissible co-parenting app providing timestamped, uneditable messages that create a permanent, verifiable record for Colorado custody and parenting time cases. Offers a free basic plan and paid upgrades for extra features. Sign up online with an email address and connect with your co-parent; have ready the case caption or court order if you want to request certified PDF records for future Colorado court hearings.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. CDR Associates (Boulder) — Paid

Conflict resolution organization providing family mediation for custody and co-parenting disputes in Boulder and the Denver metro, along with training for mediators and parents. Serves clients on a private-pay basis, with some sliding scale options. Call to schedule an intake; bring a photo ID, any existing parenting plan or court order, and a short list of issues and proposals to discuss in the first mediation session.

303-442-7367 · 100 Arapahoe Ave, Suite 12, Boulder, CO 80302 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. ColoradoLegalHelp.org - Custody & Parenting — Free

Free online guides explaining Colorado custody laws, parenting plan requirements, and modification procedures for parents navigating allocation of parental responsibilities without an attorney. Serves all Coloradans statewide with step-by-step instructions and links to JDF forms. No intake is needed; parents can read topic articles, download forms, and follow filing instructions from any internet-connected device at any time.

Online resource · Online 24/7

5. Cozi Family Organizer — Free

Free family calendar app for co-parents to coordinate schedules, share shopping lists, track chores, and manage family logistics across two households. Serves parents nationwide, including Colorado, from any smartphone or web browser. Download the app and create a shared account; invite your co-parent by email to synchronize calendars and keep both households informed of practices, appointments, and school events.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

6. AppClose Co-Parenting App — Free

Free co-parenting app offering messaging, shared calendars, expense tracking, parenting time logs, and request tools to help Colorado parents manage custody schedules and documentation. Serves parents nationwide. Download the app and create an account using your email; invite your co-parent to connect, then upload your existing parenting plan so both parties can log exchanges and reimbursable expenses as they occur.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Colorado Collaborative Divorce Professionals — Paid

Network of Colorado attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial experts offering collaborative divorce as an alternative to litigation for separating couples. Serves clients statewide on a private-pay basis. Use the website to search for a collaborative professional by county; initial consultations vary in cost and typically require a photo ID, recent financial statements, and any existing court orders for context.

Professionals statewide · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Kids First - Children's Divorce Center (Colorado Springs) — Paid

Programs for children of divorce and their parents including support groups, co-parenting education, and parenting time exchange services in El Paso County. Serves Colorado Springs-area families on a sliding scale with private pay and some grant-funded slots. Call to schedule intake; bring a photo ID, any parenting plan or court order, and basic information about the children's ages and school to the first appointment.

719-531-5437 · 4890 Centennial Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

9. 2Houses Co-Parenting Platform — Paid

Online co-parenting tool with a shared calendar, messaging, expense management, and a journal for documenting parenting activities across two households. Serves parents nationwide, including Colorado, with subscription-based pricing. Sign up online with an email and invite your co-parent; upload your parenting plan and any recurring expenses so both parties can track contributions and reimbursements in one place.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

10. Custody X Change - Parenting Plan Tool — Paid

Software for creating detailed parenting plans, parenting time calendars, and custody schedules designed to be accepted by Colorado and other state courts. Serves parents nationwide on a subscription basis, with templates tailored to common state requirements. Sign up online, enter the children's information, and select a schedule template; users can export a printable PDF parenting plan to attach to Colorado court filings.

App/web-based · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

Co-Parenting — Common Questions

Is a parenting class required for divorce?: In most states, yes — a short court-approved co-parenting course (4–6 hours, 5–$75, often online) is required before any divorce or custody order involving minor children is finalized. Check your state court's approved provider list.
What's the difference between mediation and court?: Mediation is a confidential negotiation with a neutral third party helping both parents agree on a parenting plan. It's faster, cheaper, and less adversarial than litigation. If mediation fails or one parent refuses, the court decides. Court-based mediation programs are usually free or sliding-scale.
Which co-parenting apps do courts accept?: OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, and 2Houses are court-admissible in most US jurisdictions. They provide tamper-proof message logs, shared calendars, expense tracking, and documentation judges will read if conflict escalates.
What is a parenting plan?: A written document (required in every custody order) detailing where the child lives, when each parent has parenting time, how decisions are made, how holidays are handled, how to resolve disputes, and how to handle changes. Courts provide templates; customized plans are stronger than boilerplate.