Colorado Custody Evaluation: CFI vs PRE, Costs, and What to Expect

When parents cannot agree on a parenting plan and mediation fails to resolve the dispute, Colorado courts often appoint a professional evaluator to investigate the family situation and make recommendations. The court has two primary options: a Child and Family Investigator (CFI) or a Parental Responsibility Evaluator (PRE). These are not interchangeable — they differ significantly in scope, cost, and authority.

Child and Family Investigator (CFI)

A CFI is governed by C.R.S. § 14-10-116.5 and Chief Justice Directive 04-08. This is the more common and less expensive option.

Scope: A CFI conducts a brief, focused assessment of specific disputed issues. A judge might appoint a CFI to evaluate a narrow question — whether a parent's substance use affects parenting, whether a proposed relocation serves the child's interests, or which school-year schedule best fits the child's needs.

Methods: CFIs interview both parents, interview the child (if age-appropriate), observe parent-child interactions, review relevant documents, and speak with collateral contacts like teachers, therapists, or pediatricians. CFIs are prohibited from conducting formal psychological testing.

Cost cap: Under CJD 04-08, a privately paid CFI's investigative fees are capped at a presumptive maximum of $3,250 per appointment. Testimony fees are capped at $500. For parents who cannot afford these fees, the court can appoint a state-funded CFI under CJD 04-05.

Timeline: A CFI investigation typically takes 60 to 90 days, though complex cases may take longer.

Dual-role prohibition: Under CJD 04-08 Standard 4, a CFI cannot serve in inconsistent dual roles. They cannot also act as a mediator, provide psychotherapy to any party or child, offer legal advice, or later accept appointment as the child's legal representative in the same case.

Parental Responsibility Evaluator (PRE)

A PRE is authorized under C.R.S. § 14-10-127. This is the comprehensive option, typically reserved for high-conflict or complex cases.

Scope: A PRE conducts a full-scale evaluation of the family. This may include formal psychological testing, psychiatric evaluations, drug and alcohol testing, and in-depth home studies. The PRE has broader authority than a CFI to examine each parent's mental health, personality dynamics, and parenting capacity.

Cost: There is no statutory fee cap for PREs. Costs typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 along the Front Range and can reach $20,000 or more in the Denver metro area. These fees are usually split between the parents, though the court can allocate them based on ability to pay.

Timeline: A PRE evaluation takes longer than a CFI — often three to six months — due to the depth of testing and analysis involved.

When courts appoint a PRE: Judges order PREs in cases involving serious allegations of mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, or parental alienation where a surface-level investigation would be insufficient. If a CFI identifies concerning issues that require deeper analysis, the court may upgrade to a PRE.

The Child's Legal Representative (CLR)

In addition to or instead of evaluators, the court may appoint a Child's Legal Representative (CLR) under C.R.S. § 14-10-116. A CLR is an attorney who represents the best interests of the child — not what the child wants, but what the CLR determines serves the child's welfare.

The CLR participates as an active attorney in the litigation: they attend hearings, examine witnesses, present evidence, and make legal arguments. CLRs are typically billed at standard attorney hourly rates, split between the parents or state-funded for indigent families.

What to Expect During an Evaluation

Whether you are working with a CFI or PRE, the process generally includes:

Parent interviews: Expect multiple sessions totaling two to four hours per parent. The evaluator will ask about your relationship with the child, your co-parenting history, your concerns about the other parent, and your proposed parenting schedule.

Child interviews: The evaluator will speak with your child in a neutral setting. For younger children, this may involve play-based observation rather than direct questioning. The evaluator assesses the child's comfort, attachment patterns, and (for older children) preferences.

Home visits: The evaluator may visit each parent's home to observe the living environment, the child's room, and parent-child interactions in a natural setting.

Collateral contacts: The evaluator will contact people who interact with your child regularly — teachers, coaches, therapists, daycare providers. Be prepared to provide a list of references with contact information.

Document review: The evaluator will review court filings, police reports, medical records, school records, and any documentation the parties submit. Communication logs between the parents are frequently requested.

How to Prepare

Be honest. Evaluators are trained to detect exaggeration and manipulation. Presenting yourself as a flawless parent or painting the other parent as completely unfit undermines your credibility. Acknowledge areas where you can improve.

Focus on the child. Evaluators notice when parents focus on attacking the other parent rather than discussing the child's needs. Frame your concerns in terms of how specific behaviors affect the child, not how they affect you.

Follow the evaluator's instructions exactly. Return forms on time. Show up to appointments on time. Respond to calls and emails promptly. The evaluator is observing your reliability and cooperation throughout the process.

Do not coach the child. Evaluators are trained to identify coached responses, and coaching is one of the fastest ways to lose credibility. Let your child speak naturally.

The Colorado Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide includes a section on working with court-appointed experts, with checklists for preparing your documentation and understanding the evaluation timeline. Knowing what to expect before the process starts helps you focus on what matters — demonstrating that your proposed plan serves your child's best interests.

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