Colorado requires all child support payments to flow through the Family Support Registry (FSR), the state's centralized disbursement unit operated by the Colorado Department of Human Services. Under C.R.S. § 26-13-114, this mandatory routing ensures accurate tracking, legal documentation, and proper credit toward your support obligation. Whether paying through wage withholding, online portal, or direct bank transfer, understanding these seven payment methods helps you maintain compliance and avoid the 10% annual interest that accrues on delinquent payments.
Key Facts: Colorado Child Support Payments
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment Processor | Family Support Registry (FSR) |
| Account Number | 8-digit FSR account (mailed after order established) |
| Credit Card Fee | 2.95% of payment (minimum $4.95) |
| Payment Limit | $1,500 per card per case within 30 days |
| Direct Deposit Processing | 2 business days after receipt |
| First Electronic Payment | 5-business-day waiting period |
| Interest on Arrears | 10% per year (12% for pre-July 2021 arrears) |
| FSR Customer Service | 303-299-9123 (local) or 800-374-6558 (toll-free) |
Understanding Colorado's Family Support Registry System
The Family Support Registry (FSR) processes every child support and maintenance payment in Colorado, serving both county-enforced cases and private court orders not managed by local child support offices. When your child support order is established, the FSR automatically generates an 8-digit account number mailed to your address within 10-14 business days. This account number must accompany every payment you make to ensure proper crediting. Payments received with the correct FSR account number and payor name are processed on the same business day, with disbursement to the custodial party typically occurring the following business day. Recipients using direct deposit see funds available within two business days of FSR processing.
Colorado's FSR system maintains complete payment records that courts rely on during modification hearings and enforcement proceedings. Every payment you make through FSR creates a legal record that protects you against claims of non-payment. Making payments directly to your co-parent, even with receipts, does not satisfy your legal obligation under C.R.S. § 14-10-115 and may not be credited toward your support order. The FSR operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST, with customer service available by phone at 303-299-9123 (local) or 800-374-6558 (toll-free), and by email at cdhs_fsrcustomerservice@state.co.us.
Wage Withholding: Colorado's Preferred Payment Method
Income withholding is the preferred method of child support collection in Colorado, automatically deducting support payments from your paycheck before you receive wages. When a child support order is established, your local county child support office verifies your employment and issues an Income Withholding Order (IWO) to your employer. Under C.R.S. § 14-14-111.5, employers must begin withholding child support within 14 calendar days of receiving the IWO and submit payments to the FSR within seven business days of each payroll date. This automated system ensures consistent, timely payments that protect both parties and minimize enforcement actions.
Wage withholding offers significant advantages for paying parents. The IWO takes priority over most other garnishments, with only federal tax levies taking precedence. If your employer received the IWO before any tax levy was issued, child support withholding proceeds first. The withheld amount includes your basic support obligation plus any arrears payments ordered by the court. Colorado allows withholding of up to 50% of disposable income for parents supporting another family, or up to 65% for those not supporting others with arrears over 12 weeks. Your employer cannot terminate or discriminate against you for having an IWO, as federal law under the Consumer Credit Protection Act prohibits such retaliation.
Online Payment Portal Options
Colorado offers multiple online payment methods through the FSR payment portal, allowing you to pay child support using credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or Venmo. The credit card payment website charges a convenience fee of 2.95% of the payment amount with a minimum fee of $4.95, and payments can range from $5.00 to $1,500.00 per card or per case within a 30-day period. All electronic payment options require a five-business-day waiting period before the first payment processes, after which standard two-day processing applies. You access the payment portal through childsupport.state.co.us/make-payment using your 8-digit FSR account number.
The Pay by Text feature allows you to make payments using your smartphone with a stored credit or debit card. After adding your card to your account through the online setup process, you receive a text message notification on your scheduled payment date. You authorize the payment by texting a confirmation code, making this option convenient for recurring payments. One-time payments and recurring automatic payments can both be configured through this system. The credit card company charges the standard service fee based on your payment amount, calculated at the same 2.95% rate as manual online payments.
Direct Bank Transfer and ACH Payments
Setting up automatic ACH payments from your checking or savings account provides a fee-free alternative to credit card payments. The FSR initiates an ACH debit to withdraw your designated payment amount on your specified date each month, eliminating transaction fees entirely. This option requires completing a separate registration and login process on the payment website, but once established, payments process automatically without monthly action required. Payments are deposited the same business day they are received when accompanied by correct account information, with disbursement occurring the following business day.
To establish direct deposit, you must complete the Application for Direct Deposit available through the FSR customer service department or downloadable from the Colorado Child Support Services website. A valid Social Security Number is required to use the online application; those without an SSN must submit paper forms by contacting customer service. If you change banks or close your account, you must complete a new authorization form and submit it to FSR. Failing to update invalid direct deposit information results in automatic issuance of a Child Support Payment Card for receiving payments. Processing for new direct deposit enrollments typically takes 5-7 business days.
Alternative Payment Methods
Colorado accepts child support payments through several additional channels for those without online access or preferring in-person options. MoneyGram locations throughout Colorado accept child support payments, though a service fee applies for each transaction. Payment kiosks are also available for Colorado cases, providing another in-person payment option. For mail payments, checks and money orders should be sent to: Family Support Registry, P.O. Box 2171, Denver, CO 80201-2171. Include your FSR account number on every payment to prevent processing delays. Checks and money orders are deposited the same day they are received.
The Pay by Phone option allows payments through the FSR telephone system after completing initial enrollment. You must complete an Application for Pay by Phone, which requires several days to process before you receive your PIN by mail. Once enrolled, call 303-299-9123 (local) or 800-374-6558 (toll-free) and follow the automated instructions for pay-by-phone. This option is particularly useful for those with limited internet access or those who prefer verbal confirmation of their payment. The phone system provides confirmation numbers for your records, and payments are processed using the same timeline as other electronic methods.
Child Support Payment Card for Recipients
Per Colorado's Mandated Electronic Disbursement Policy, child support recipients must have either direct deposit or a Child Support Payment Card on file to receive payments. The Child Support Payment Card functions like a prepaid debit card, loaded automatically when the FSR disburses your child support payment. You can add the card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Mobile Wallet for contactless checkout at any retailer displaying the contactless payment symbol. The card also allows cash withdrawals at in-network ATMs with zero fees, making it a practical option for those without traditional bank accounts.
Recipients can access their payment card balance and transaction history online or through the card's mobile app. The card arrives by mail approximately 7-10 business days after your child support order is established or after you request the card from FSR customer service. If payments are disrupted due to a closed bank account or invalid direct deposit information, the FSR automatically issues a replacement payment card to ensure you continue receiving support without interruption. The card does not require a credit check and has no monthly maintenance fees, though third-party ATM fees may apply at out-of-network machines.
Payment Processing Times and Tracking
Understanding processing timelines helps you plan payments and avoid delinquency. Payments made through wage withholding process within seven business days of your payroll date under Colorado law. Electronic payments including credit card, debit card, and ACH transfers process within two business days after the initial five-business-day enrollment period. Mailed checks and money orders are deposited the same business day received and disbursed the following business day. Direct deposit recipients typically see funds available within two business days of FSR disbursement. The fastest method for emergency or catch-up payments is credit card via the online portal, which processes same-day with next-day disbursement.
You can track your payment history and account balance through the Colorado Child Support Services online portal. Creating an account at childsupport.state.co.us provides access to your payment records, current balance, and any arrears amounts. The system shows both payments made and payments received, along with dates and amounts. This documentation proves invaluable during disputes or when demonstrating compliance to the court. If you notice a payment was not credited correctly, contact FSR customer service immediately with your payment confirmation number or proof of payment. The FSR maintains records for the duration of your case plus seven years.
Consequences of Non-Payment in Colorado
Failing to pay child support in Colorado triggers serious enforcement actions and financial penalties. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, unpaid child support accrues interest at 10% per year from the day following the missed due date, with payments in arrears before July 1, 2021 accruing at 12% annually. This compounding interest significantly increases your total debt over time. For example, a $500 monthly obligation left unpaid for one year would accrue $600 in base arrears plus $60 in interest, creating a $660 debt that continues growing until satisfied. There is no statute of limitations on child support debt in Colorado.
Colorado employs multiple enforcement mechanisms that can be pursued simultaneously without additional court permission. These include federal and state tax refund interception, bank account liens, and suspension of driver's licenses, professional licenses, occupational licenses, and recreational licenses such as hunting and fishing permits. Parents who fall more than 60 days or $500 behind have their delinquency reported to credit bureaus, potentially damaging credit scores for years. Court actions include remedial contempt, which may result in jail until some or all arrears are paid, and punitive contempt involving fines or jail time as punishment. Criminal charges for willful non-payment can result in misdemeanor conviction with significant jail time.
2026 Child Support Law Changes Affecting Payments
House Bill 25-1159, signed by Governor Polis on May 31, 2025, made significant changes to Colorado's child support guidelines effective March 1, 2026. While these changes primarily affect calculation methods rather than payment procedures, understanding the new framework helps you anticipate potential modifications to your support amount. The combined monthly gross income cap for guideline calculations increased from $30,000 to $40,000, meaning higher-earning families now follow the standard formula rather than court discretion. The elimination of the 92-overnight threshold means every overnight now reduces the paying parent's support obligation proportionally.
The 2026 law introduces a Self-Support Reserve (SSR) of $1,831.83 monthly for 2026, calculated as Colorado's minimum wage ($15.16/hour) times 29 hours per week, times 50 weeks, divided by 12 months. Parents with adjusted gross income at or below $650 monthly pay only $10 per month regardless of children, unless shared parenting time reduces the obligation below $10. Those earning above $650 but below the SSR follow a revised low-income schedule: $50 monthly for one child, $70 for two children. These changes may justify filing a motion to modify existing support orders if your circumstances align with the new calculations. Payment methods and FSR processing remain unchanged under the new law.
How Employers Process Child Support Payments
If you are an employer responsible for withholding child support, Colorado law imposes specific obligations. Upon receiving an Income Withholding Order, you must begin withholding within 14 calendar days of the date shown on the IWO. Withhold the specified amount each pay period and remit payments to the FSR within seven business days of the payroll date. Failure to comply with IWO requirements can result in liability for the amounts you should have withheld plus penalties. Send employer payments to: Family Support Registry, P.O. Box 2171, Denver, CO 80201-2171, or use the online employer payment portal.
Employers can streamline compliance by setting up ACH payments through the FSR website. This requires a separate registration process, but once established, the FSR initiates automatic debits on specified dates. When processing multiple employees' child support, include each employee's FSR account number and Social Security Number with their payment. The FSR accepts both individual and bulk payments from employers. Customer service representatives are available to assist with employer questions at 303-299-9123 (local) or 800-374-6558 (toll-free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to make a child support payment in Colorado?
Credit or debit card payments through the online portal at childsupport.state.co.us process same-day and disburse the following business day, making them the fastest option after the initial five-day enrollment period. A 2.95% convenience fee applies with a $4.95 minimum charge. Payments range from $5 to $1,500 per card per case within 30 days.
Can I pay child support directly to my co-parent instead of through FSR?
No. Under C.R.S. § 26-13-114, all child support payments must flow through the Family Support Registry to receive legal credit. Direct payments to your co-parent, even with receipts, do not satisfy your court-ordered obligation and leave you vulnerable to enforcement actions for the full amount.
How do I find my FSR account number?
Your 8-digit FSR account number is mailed to you after your child support order is established. If you never received it or lost it, email cdhs_fsrcustomerservice@state.co.us or call 303-299-9123 (local) or 800-374-6558 (toll-free) during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST.
What happens if I miss a child support payment in Colorado?
Missed payments become delinquent the day after the due date and begin accruing 10% annual interest under Colorado law. After 60 days or $500 in arrears, your delinquency may be reported to credit bureaus. The state can intercept tax refunds, garnish bank accounts, suspend licenses, and pursue contempt charges with potential jail time.
How do I set up automatic child support payments?
You can establish automatic ACH payments from your bank account through the FSR payment portal, requiring a separate registration process. Alternatively, wage withholding automatically deducts payments from each paycheck. Pay by Text allows recurring credit card charges after storing your card information online.
Is there a fee to pay child support with a credit card in Colorado?
Yes. Credit and debit card payments incur a 2.95% convenience fee with a minimum of $4.95 per transaction. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo payments processed through the FSR portal carry the same fee structure. Direct ACH transfers from bank accounts have no fee.
How long does it take for child support payments to process?
Electronic payments process within two business days after the initial five-day enrollment period. Wage withholding must be remitted within seven business days of payroll. Mailed checks are deposited same-day and disbursed next business day. Direct deposit recipients see funds within two business days of disbursement.
Can I change my child support payment method?
Yes. You can switch between payment methods by updating your preferences through the FSR online portal or by contacting customer service. Changing from direct deposit requires submitting a new Application for Direct Deposit. New payment methods may require a five-business-day waiting period before the first transaction.
What is the maximum amount I can pay by credit card?
The FSR limits credit card payments to $1,500 per card per case within a 30-day period. If you need to pay more, use multiple cards, make ACH payments from your bank account, or send a check. There is no payment limit for wage withholding, ACH transfers, or mailed payments.
How do I get proof of my child support payments?
Create an account at childsupport.state.co.us to access your complete payment history, including dates, amounts, and running balance. The online portal maintains records for your case duration plus seven years. You can print payment statements for court filings or provide login access during modification hearings.