Definitions and interpretations of terms

14-10-103. Definitions and interpretations of terms. (1) As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires, the term decree includes the term judgment; and, for the purposes of the tax laws of the state of Colorado or of any other jurisdiction, the term maintenance includes the term alimony. (1.5) As used in this article 10, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Coercive control has the same meaning as set forth in section 14-10-124 (1.3). (b) Domestic violence has the same meaning as set forth in section 14-10-124 (1.3). (c) Economic abuse means a behavior that is coercive, deceptive, or manipulative, or that restrains, sabotages, or unreasonably controls a person's ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources that the person is entitled to, including using coercion, threat of harm, force, fraud, or manipulation to: (I) Restrict a person's access to money, assets, credit, or financial information; (II) Steal or unfairly use a person's economic resources, including money, assets, or credit; (III) Use a person's credit or property without authorization; (IV) Prevent a person from leaving the person's residence to attend school or employment; (V) Exploit the person's resources for personal gain; (VI) Withhold individual resources from a person, such as food, clothing, necessary medications, or shelter; (VII) Cause or attempt to cause a person to be financially dependent by maintaining control over the person's financial resources; or (VIII) Exert undue influence over a person's financial behavior or decisions, including forcing default on joint or other financial obligations; exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship; or threatening to expose a person's suspected citizenship or immigration status or the suspected citizenship or immigration status of a person's family member to a federal, state, or local agency. (d) Unlawful sexual behavior has the same meaning as set forth in section 16-22-102. (2) Whenever any law of this state refers to or mentions divorce, annulment, or separate maintenance, said law shall be interpreted as if the words dissolution of marriage, declaration of invalidity of marriage, and legal separation, respectively, were substituted therefor. (3) On and after July 1, 1993, the term visitation has been changed to parenting time. It is not the intent of the general assembly to modify or change the meaning of the term visitation nor to alter the legal rights of a parent with respect to the child as a result of changing the term visitation to parenting time. (4) On and after February 1, 1999, the term custody and related terms such as custodial and custodian have been changed to parental responsibilities. It is not the intent of the general assembly to modify or change the meaning of the term custody nor to alter the legal rights of any custodial parent with respect to the child as a result of changing the term custody to parental responsibilities. (5) As used in this article 10, unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of proceedings for allocation of parental responsibilities pursuant to section 14-10-123 (1.5) only, the term child means an unmarried individual who has not attained twenty-one years of age. Source: L. 71: R&RE, p. 520, � 1. C.R.S. 1963: � 46-1-4. L. 72: p. 595, � 73. L. 73: p. 552, � 1. L. 93: (3) added, p. 576, � 5, effective July 1. L. 98: (3) amended and (4) added, p. 1376, � 1, effective February 1, 1999. L. 2019: (5) added, (HB 19-1042), ch. 55, p. 193, � 4, effective March 28. L. 2025: (1.5) added, (SB 25-116), ch. 212, p. 960, � 2, effective August 6. Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 1993 act enacting subsection (3), see section 1 of chapter 165, Session Laws of Colorado 1993. For the legislative declaration in SB 25-116, see section 1 of chapter 212, Session Laws of Colorado 2025.