Mother Requesting Back Child Support For Unknown Child

We reside in Colorado and my husband was served with papers in April of 2010 that he may be the father of a child born in 2001.

My husband has never received contact from the Mother despite her statements that she looked for him. My husband has been listed in the phone book and has never left the town he lived in when he had a one time relation with the mother - he is very well known and easy to find.

As a result of the Notification he did take a paternity test and it was confirmed he is the father. There is no father listed on the birth certificate and according to Child Support this is the first request of the mother for child support. She had received federal aid for the child in 2009 and the state is now pursuing child support orders - this was NOT initiated by the mother and as a result the mother requested back support.

We are more than excited to know about this child and are willing to do everything in our power to provide opportunities and support for this child from here forward but we are also struggling and have 2 children of our marriage.

The mother is requesting back child support from birth and the state is pursuing repayment of the financial aid provided for the child in 2009. We met with the mother and she told us that she was sorry to ask for back child support but she needs to pay some of her bills that have piled up and/or get enough to file for bankruptcy as well as buy a new car.

We are running through all the emotions of finding out he has a child and he feels GUILTY because the mother kept his baby away from him for almost 9 years and he feels he has let down a child by not having the opportunity to be a part of her life.

My question is concerning the back support and Financial Aid received by the child - Will we have to pay all of the "arrears" when there was no knowledge of this child, no prior support order and no father's name listed on the birth certificate?