Colorado Divorce Guide
Everything you need to know about filing for divorce in Colorado — residency requirements, costs, forms, timelines, and how to file without a lawyer. Updated for 2026.
Colorado Divorce at a Glance
| Residency Requirement | 3 months in state |
| Waiting Period | 91 days — Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(I), a decree of dissolution cannot be entered until at least 91 days have elapsed since the court acquired jurisdiction over the respondent through service of process, the respondent joining as co-petitioner, or the respondent entering an appearance. The 91-day period also satisfies the residency requirement. |
| Filing Fee | $230(fee waiver available) |
| No-Fault Grounds | Irretrievable Breakdown |
| Fault Grounds | None |
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution |
| E-Filing | Available — Colorado offers e-filing through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system (ICCES) at coloradojudicial.gov/e-filing. Licensed attorneys may e-file in civil, criminal, domestic, water, probate, and appellate cases. Self-represented parties may also use the system to file completed forms electronically. |
| Response Window | 21 days — The respondent has 21 days to file a response (JDF 1015) if served within Colorado, or 35 days if served outside Colorado. Failure to respond timely may result in the court proceeding without the respondent's input. The response fee is $116. |
Grounds for Divorce in Colorado
The marriage is irretrievably broken
No-Fault Grounds
- Irretrievable Breakdown — The marriage is irretrievably broken, per C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(II). Colorado is a pure no-fault state; the court only needs to find that the marriage is irretrievably broken to grant a dissolution. No proof of wrongdoing is required or considered.
Start your Colorado divorce online
Divorce.ai prepares your Colorado forms in under an hour. No lawyer required.
How to File for Divorce in Colorado
Meet Residency Requirements
You must have lived in Colorado for at least 3 months before filing. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(I), at least one spouse must have been domiciled in Colorado for at least 91 days before filing the petition for dissolution of marriage. For child custody jurisdiction under the UCCJEA, the child must have lived in Colorado for at least 182 consecutive days (approximately six months) before filing.
Complete Your Forms
Colorado requires 5 mandatory forms to initiate a divorce. See the full forms list.
File with the Court
File your petition and pay the $230 filing fee. E-filing is available in some counties.
Serve Your Spouse
Accepted service methods: personal, sheriff, registered process server, waiver of service, certified mail, publication. Colorado requires personal service for the initial petition unless the respondent files a co-petition or voluntary appearance. An automatic temporary injunction under C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4)(b) takes effect upon service, restraining both parties from transferring property, removing children from the state, or canceling insurance.
Wait for Response & Finalize
Your spouse has 21 days to respond. After the 91-day waiting period, the court can issue your final decree.
Special Rules in Colorado
Pure No-Fault State
Colorado is a pure no-fault divorce state under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. The court may only consider whether the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault or marital misconduct cannot be raised as grounds and is not considered in property division, maintenance, or parental responsibility determinations.
Automatic Temporary Injunction
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4)(b), upon service of the petition, both parties are automatically enjoined from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or disposing of marital property, removing minor children from the state, and canceling or altering insurance coverage.
Co-Petitioner Filing
Colorado allows both spouses to file jointly as co-petitioners, eliminating the need for formal service of process and beginning the 91-day waiting period from the date of filing.
Parental Responsibilities Terminology
Colorado uses the term 'allocation of parental responsibilities' (APR) instead of 'custody' and 'parenting time' instead of 'visitation' in all family law proceedings.
Common Law Marriage Recognition
Colorado is one of the few states that still recognizes common law marriages. A common law marriage requires mutual consent and agreement, mutual and open cohabitation, and a reputation of being married.
CRCP 16.2 Mandatory Disclosures
Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 16.2 requires mandatory exchange of financial disclosures and Sworn Financial Statements within 42 days of service. Non-compliance delays the case as the court cannot enter orders without disclosures.
Mandatory Requirements
Parenting Course Required
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-123.7, the court may order parents with children under 18 to attend a court-approved parenting education program in dissolution, legal separation, or parental responsibility proceedings. Most judicial districts require the course to be completed within 42 days of receiving the court order. Costs range from $30 to $50 per parent and are paid by each participant based on ability to pay.
Financial Disclosure
Both parties must exchange financial disclosures within 42 days of filing.
Skip the paperwork headache
Divorce.ai guides you through every Colorado form and filing step. AI-powered, lawyer-reviewed.