What the court’s own documents say
- For a Motion to Change Parenting Time, the responding parent has 21 days to file a written response.
- “For a Motion to Change Parenting Time, you have 21 days to file a written response. §14-10-129, C.R.S.”
- — Colorado Judicial Branch — JDF 1406, Motion and Affidavit to Change/Restrict Parenting Time (rev. April 11, 2023)
- The response form published by the Colorado Judicial Branch for this motion is JDF 1315.
- “JDF 1315: Response — Can be used by a parent to respond to the motion.”
- — Colorado Judicial Branch — Self-Help: Change Parenting Time
- The form warns that your existing order may require mediation before the motion is even filed.
- “Note: Check your current Order to see if you are required to mediate prior to filing this motion.”
- — Colorado Judicial Branch — JDF 1406, Motion and Affidavit to Change/Restrict Parenting Time (rev. April 11, 2023)
First: check which motion you were served with
Colorado uses one form, JDF 1406, for two very different requests, and the box checked at the top changes everything. “Change” asks the court to adjust the schedule. “Restrict” asks the court to limit the other parent's time because of claimed danger to the child. They have different deadlines, different standards, and different urgency. Look at the top of the first page and see which box is checked.
What the 21 days actually means
It is 21 days to file a WRITTEN response with the court — not 21 days to think about it, and not 21 days from when you got around to reading it. If you do nothing, the court can decide with only her account of the facts in front of it. Confirm how the deadline is counted in your case and whether your case has any different order-specific timeline.
What actually helps in those 21 days
A response is not the place for the whole history of the relationship. It answers what the judge is deciding, states what you want instead, and points at documents. If the motion attaches exhibits, read them first — the other side's own paperwork is usually the most useful thing in the file.
If you have a hearing coming up
The free walkthrough of a hearing day — what happens box by box, and the exact words that get a document into evidence — is on this site and asks nothing of you.
Related
Sources
- Colorado Judicial Branch — JDF 1406, Motion and Affidavit to Change/Restrict Parenting Time (rev. April 11, 2023) — loaded and read 2026-08-04
- Colorado Judicial Branch — Self-Help: Change Parenting Time — loaded and read 2026-08-04
General information about Colorado court procedure, not legal advice, and not about your specific case. Court rules and forms change — open the linked source and confirm it still says this before you rely on it. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed Colorado family-law attorney. CourtDocs is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page.