Colorado § 14-5-601 - Registration of order for enforcement.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-5-601 — Registration of order for enforcement., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 14-5-601. Registration of order for enforcement.
A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or a foreign support order may be registered in this state for enforcement.
Source: L. 93: Entire article R&RE, p. 1596, § 1, effective January 1, 1995. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 1257, § 32, effective July 1, 2004. L. 2015: Entire part amended, (HB 15-1198), ch. 173, p. 555, § 31, effective July 1.
COMMENT
Registration of an order in a tribunal of the responding state is the first step to enforce a support order from another state or foreign country. If a prior support order has been validly issued by a tribunal with continuing, exclusive jurisdiction, see Section 205, such an order is to be prospectively enforced against the obligor in the absence of narrow, strictly defined fact situations in which an existing order may be modified. See Sections 609 through 614. Until and unless that order is modified, however, it remains an order of the issuing tribunal and is fully enforceable in the responding state.
Although registration that is not accompanied by a request for the affirmative relief of enforcement is not prohibited, the act does not contemplate registration as serving a purpose in itself. In that regard, registration is a process, and the failure to register does not deprive an otherwise appropriate forum of subject matter jurisdiction. Note that either or both a state support order or a state income-withholding order may be registered. However, although a foreign support order also may be registered, this section does not contemplate recognition of a foreign income-withholding order.
Related to Convention: art. 23. Procedure on an application for recognition and enforcement; art. 26. Procedure on an application for recognition.
ANNOTATION
A district court in a RURESA action may not enter a judgment for child support arrearages under the original decree in another state unless the petitioning party proceeds under the alternative registration of a foreign support order provisions of §§ 14-5-137 to 14-5-141. Henry v. Knight, 746 P.2d 1375 (Colo. App. 1987) (decided under former § 14-5-137 as it existed prior to the 1993 repeal and reenactment of this article).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 14-5-601
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-5-601 cover?
Section 14-5-601 ("Registration of order for enforcement.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 14-5-601?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-5-601" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 14-5-601 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.