Divorce in Colorado: The Complete 2026 Guide

Colorado Divorce: Fast Facts

How to File for Divorce in Colorado

Colorado calls divorce "dissolution of marriage" and uses the term "allocation of parental responsibilities" instead of child custody. The state is purely no-fault — you simply declare the marriage "irretrievably broken" and no proof of wrongdoing is required. You can file individually as Petitioner (your spouse becomes the Respondent) or jointly as Co-Petitioners if you agree on all terms. Either path requires a mandatory 91-day waiting period. Uncontested cases can close in as few as 3–5 months; contested divorces typically take 9–18 months or longer.

1. Confirm Residency Requirements

   At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Colorado for a minimum of 91 days immediately before the divorce decree can be entered. There is no separate county residency requirement in Colorado — only the statewide 91-day rule. You file in the district court of the county where you or your spouse lives. If minor children are involved, they must have lived in Colorado for at least 182 days before the court can exercise jurisdiction over parental responsibility and parenting time matters under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).

2. Choose Your Filing Path and Complete Your Forms

   If filing alone: complete JDF 1011 (Petition for Dissolution), JDF 1000 (Case Information Sheet), and JDF 1012 (Summons). If you have children under 18, also complete the UCCJEA form. If filing jointly with your spouse as Co-Petitioners: complete JDF 1011 with both signatures and JDF 1000 — no summons is needed and no service of process is required. The Co-Petition option saves time and filing costs and is recommended whenever both parties are willing to cooperate. All forms are free at coloradojudicial.gov.

3. File with the District Court and Pay the Filing Fee

   File at your county's District Court in person or via Colorado Courts E-Filing, which is available 24/7 (self-represented parties must opt in). Pay the $230 filing fee (Petition) or $116 (Response). Note that filing jointly as Co-Petitioners means you split the single $230 petition fee — no separate Response fee is owed. If you cannot afford the fee, file JDF 205 (Motion to File Without Payment) with JDF 206 (Order). Important: if a fee waiver is granted, you must file on paper at the clerk's office — e-filing is not available with a waiver.

4. Serve Your Spouse (Solo Filing Path Only)

   For a standard solo petition: your spouse (the Respondent) must be personally served with the filed Petition and Summons (JDF 1012) by a process server, sheriff, or any adult age 18+ who is not a party to the case. File the Return of Service (JDF 1012(b)) with the court. The 91-day waiting period begins on the date of service. Your spouse then has 21 days to file a Response if served in Colorado, or 35 days if served out of state. Alternatively, your spouse can sign a Waiver and Acceptance of Service (JDF 1102(a)), which has the same legal effect as personal service. For a Co-Petition, service is eliminated — the filing date itself triggers the 91-day clock.

5. Exchange Mandatory Financial Disclosures Within 42 Days

   Colorado law requires both spouses to exchange a complete set of financial disclosures within 42 days of service (or 42 days after filing for a Co-Petition). The required package includes JDF 1125 (Mandatory Disclosure checklist), JDF 1111 (Sworn Financial Statement), JDF 1111SS (Supporting Schedules), and JDF 1104 (Certificate of Compliance). You file the Certificate of Compliance with the court — but the actual financial documents are exchanged with your spouse only, not filed unless the court orders otherwise. The obligation is ongoing: if your financial situation materially changes, you must update your disclosures promptly. Failure to complete disclosures is one of the leading reasons Colorado courts delay or reject final judgments.

6. Attend the Initial Status Conference (ISC)

   In most Colorado districts, the court schedules an Initial Status Conference (ISC) — an informal check-in where the court assesses how far along the parties are and identifies remaining issues. No evidence or testimony is presented; it is not a hearing. You can attend without a lawyer. The court uses the ISC to set deadlines, discuss whether mediation is needed, and schedule any follow-up hearings. If you have already resolved all issues by the ISC date, you can often request a waiver of the conference. For more on the ISC, see our guide: What Is an Initial Status Conference in Colorado?

7. Negotiate and Sign a Separation Agreement

   Your Separation Agreement (JDF 1215) is the written contract resolving all post-divorce terms: division of marital property and debts, spousal maintenance, parenting time, decision-making responsibility, and child support. Both spouses sign. In Colorado, the court must follow the agreement unless it finds it "unconscionable" — an unfair or one-sided agreement can be rejected. Use our settlement agreement checklist to ensure nothing is omitted.

8. Finalize Your Decree — With or Without a Hearing

   After the 91-day waiting period has elapsed, you can finalize your divorce. If both parties agree on all terms and there are no minor children, you may submit JDF 1018 (Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance) — allowing the judge to sign the Decree of Dissolution (JDF 1116) based on the paperwork alone, with no court hearing required. If minor children are involved and neither party has an attorney, most districts require a brief in-person or virtual hearing to confirm the parenting arrangements serve the children's best interests. In contested cases, the court schedules Permanent Orders hearings where a judge decides all unresolved issues.

Automatic Temporary Injunction (ATI) — important from day one: The moment a Colorado divorce petition is filed and served (or jointly filed), an Automatic Temporary Injunction activates under Colorado law. The ATI prohibits both spouses from transferring or hiding marital assets, taking the children out of state without consent, changing beneficiary designations, or canceling insurance policies. Violations can be enforced by law enforcement and may result in contempt proceedings. The ATI appears on the Summons (JDF 1012) and remains in effect until the Decree is entered.

Colorado Divorce Laws: Grounds, Residency, and the Co-Petition Option

Colorado has been a purely no-fault divorce state since 1972. The only ground for dissolution of marriage is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." You do not need to prove your spouse did anything wrong — and the court cannot consider fault when deciding whether to grant the divorce. Colorado has one of the shortest residency requirements in the nation at just 91 days and imposes an identical 91-day mandatory waiting period after the court acquires jurisdiction over the Respondent.

The Co-Petition Option: Filing Together as Co-Petitioners

Colorado allows any couple who agrees on all issues — or who agrees to cooperate on the divorce itself even before a settlement is finalized — to file together as "Petitioner" and "Co-Petitioner" using a single JDF 1011 petition. Because both parties sign and file together, no service of process or summons is required. The 91-day waiting period begins on the filing date.

What Co-Petition eliminates:

• Process server / service of process
• Separate Response filing fee ($116 saved)
• "Petitioner vs. Respondent" adversarial framing

What Co-Petition still requires:

• Full mandatory financial disclosures within 42 days
• 91-day waiting period (starts at filing date)
• Complete Separation Agreement and Decree package

Colorado recognizes common-law marriages — and they require a formal divorce to dissolve. Colorado is one of a small number of states that recognizes common-law marriages. A valid common-law marriage in Colorado requires mutual agreement to be married, cohabitation, and a public reputation as a married couple. Importantly, you cannot simply "stop living together" to end a common-law marriage — you must go through the same formal dissolution process as any other marriage. If you have a common-law marriage question, consult a Hello Divorce attorney. See also our resource on common-law marriage in Colorado.

For the complete statutory framework, see Colorado Revised Statutes Title 14 — Domestic Matters. For court self-help resources, visit coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/divorce-and-separation.

Property Division in Colorado: Equitable Distribution

Colorado divides marital property under the equitable distribution standard — meaning fair, not automatically equal. Colorado law directs courts to divide marital property based on factors including each spouse's economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage (including homemaking), and the value of property already allocated to each party. Unlike community property states, Colorado courts have significant discretion. Fault and marital misconduct do not affect property division. Spouses who reach their own written agreement can divide property any way they choose.

Key factors Colorado courts consider when dividing marital property:

• Each spouse's contribution to the acquisition of marital property — including contributions as a homemaker and parent
• The value of property set aside to each party, including separate property
• Each spouse's economic circumstances at the time of division, including whether it is desirable for the custodial parent to remain in the marital home
• Any increases or decreases in the value of separate property during the marriage, and whether marital funds were used to enhance separate property
• Marital misconduct and fault are explicitly excluded from property division considerations — Colorado law does not allow a court to punish a spouse by awarding fewer assets based on bad behavior

Colorado is NOT a 50/50 state: This is one of the most common misconceptions about Colorado divorce law. Colorado courts do not automatically split everything equally. Equitable distribution means the court has discretion to divide property in a way it finds fair — which may be 50/50, 60/40, or some other split depending on circumstances. If you and your spouse agree on a division in your Separation Agreement, the court must honor it unless the agreement is unconscionable. For a personalized estimate of how property might be divided in your case, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst can help you model scenarios.

Retirement accounts in a Colorado divorce: Retirement contributions made during the marriage — whether to a 401(k), IRA, pension, or Colorado PERA (Public Employees' Retirement Association) — are considered marital property to the extent earned during the marriage. Dividing these accounts requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) for private plans or a specialized Domestic Relations Order (DRO) for PERA. QDROs must be drafted carefully and approved by the plan administrator. For guidance, see our QDRO guide and our specific resource on QDROs in Colorado divorce.

Use our settlement agreement checklist and property division spreadsheet to inventory your marital estate. For high-asset cases or businesses, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst can help model division scenarios and understand the tax implications. For more on what Colorado law says about property division, see our knowledge base article: What Does Colorado Law Say About Property Division in Divorce?

Spousal Maintenance in Colorado

Colorado calls alimony "spousal maintenance" and courts are not required to award it in every case. For marriages of at least three years where the couple's combined annual adjusted gross income does not exceed $240,000, the court must calculate and disclose an advisory guideline amount — but the guidelines are not presumptive. A judge can deviate from the formula and must provide specific written or oral findings explaining any deviation. Fault and marital misconduct are explicitly excluded from maintenance determinations. As of August 6, 2025, Senate Bill 25-116 requires Colorado courts to also consider evidence of domestic violence, abuse, and coercive control when determining whether to award maintenance and in what amount.

Colorado's Advisory Maintenance Formula

The advisory guideline applies when: (1) the marriage lasted at least 3 years, and (2) the couple's combined annual adjusted gross income does not exceed $240,000. When both conditions are met, the court must calculate the advisory amount and disclose it — but is not required to award it.

Formula (for non-taxable maintenance, combined monthly income over $10,000):

(40% × combined monthly adjusted gross income) − (lower earner's monthly income)

A 75% multiplier then applies if maintenance is non-taxable and combined income exceeds $10,000/month.

Example: Spouse A earns $10,000/mo; Spouse B earns $4,000/mo. Formula base: (40% × $14,000) − $4,000 = $1,600/mo. If non-taxable maintenance, advisory amount = $1,600 × 75% = $1,200/mo.

Advisory term: For marriages of 3–20 years, a statutory table sets an advisory maintenance duration based on the length of the marriage in months. For marriages over 20 years, the court may award maintenance for a specified term or indefinitely — but cannot award less than the guideline term for a 20-year marriage without specific findings.

2025 Law Update — SB 25-116: Domestic Violence and Maintenance (Effective August 6, 2025)

Senate Bill 25-116, signed May 19, 2025 and effective August 6, 2025, expanded the criteria Colorado courts must consider when determining whether to award spousal maintenance and in what amount and duration. In addition to the traditional factors — income disparity, length of marriage, and standard of living — courts must now also consider whether either party engaged in:

• Domestic violence — including any act or threatened act of violence against an intimate partner, or crimes used to coerce, control, punish, or seek revenge
• Physical abuse — intentional use of force causing or intended to cause bodily harm or injury
• Coercive control — including financial control, isolation, and other patterns of abusive behavior

If you are a survivor of abuse, this law may significantly strengthen your position in seeking maintenance — or in contesting having to pay support to an abusive spouse. Consult a Hello Divorce attorney for guidance on how SB 25-116 applies to your specific situation.

Additional statutory factors Colorado courts consider for maintenance:

• The financial resources of each spouse, including the property allocated in the divorce and each party's ability to meet their own needs independently
• The lifestyle established during the marriage and the time needed for the supported spouse to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment
• The duration of the marriage — the advisory term table ties maintenance length to marriage length in months for marriages of 3–20 years
• Each spouse's age and physical and emotional condition — including any documented health conditions that affect earning capacity
• Significant economic or non-economic contributions one spouse made to the other's education, training, career, or professional license during the marriage

The advisory formula is a starting point — not a ceiling or floor: Colorado courts have explicitly been cautioned by the Court of Appeals not to simply apply the advisory guideline without considering all statutory factors. A judge who awards maintenance equal to the guideline amount solely because the formula produced that number — without weighing other evidence — risks reversal on appeal. This means both spouses can present evidence of financial need, earning capacity, and contributions that argue for an award above or below the advisory amount.

For a general estimate of maintenance amounts, see our Colorado spousal maintenance guide and our full resource on temporary vs. permanent maintenance in Colorado. For cases with significant income disparity or complex support claims, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst can model scenarios before you negotiate your Separation Agreement.

Parental Responsibilities and Child Support in Colorado

Colorado does not use the term "child custody." Instead, Colorado law refers to "allocation of parental responsibilities" — which encompasses both decision-making responsibility (equivalent to legal custody) and parenting time (equivalent to physical custody). Courts determine both based on the best interests of the child. Neither parent has a presumptive right to more parenting time based on gender. Child support is calculated using Colorado's statutory guideline formula, based on both parents' incomes and the percentage of overnight time each parent has with the child.

Best-interest factors Colorado courts weigh when allocating parental responsibilities:

• The wishes of the child's parents as to parenting time, and any prior agreements between the parents
• The interaction and interrelationship of the child with parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests
• The child's adjustment to home, school, and community — preserving stability and continuity is a strong factor
• The mental and physical health of all parties involved, including the child and each parent
• The ability of each parent to encourage sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other parent — a parent who attempts to alienate the child from the other parent can be penalized by the court
• Any evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or substance abuse by either parent — these are among the most heavily weighted factors and can result in restricted or supervised parenting time

Colorado's child support formula is guideline-based and computer-calculated: Colorado uses the Income Shares model. The formula takes both parents' gross monthly incomes, applies a schedule of basic child support obligations based on combined income and number of children, then adjusts for the number of overnight parenting days each parent has. The result is a presumptive amount — courts must follow the guidelines unless a specific exception applies (such as a parent's extraordinarily high income or voluntary underemployment). As of 2025, updated child support worksheets and income thresholds apply; confirm current figures at coloradojudicial.gov. See also our resource: How Is Child Support Calculated in Colorado?

Parenting classes — required in many Colorado counties: When minor children are involved, many Colorado judicial districts require both parents to complete a court-approved parenting education program before the Decree can be entered. Requirements vary by county — for example, the 17th Judicial District (Adams/Broomfield Counties) and the 4th Judicial District (El Paso County) mandate attendance for all parties with minor children. Check with your local district court or see our guide: Colorado's Required Parenting Classes by County.

For a full guide to parental responsibilities and parenting plans, visit our resources on parental responsibility in Colorado and sole vs. shared parenting time. For parenting disputes, Hello Divorce mediation services can help you reach a parenting plan without litigation. For help developing a plan, see our child custody mediation checklist.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Colorado?

A Colorado divorce can cost as little as $230 in court fees for a straightforward uncontested case — or $10,000–$25,000+ per spouse in a fully contested divorce involving attorneys. The single biggest cost driver is disagreement: every issue decided by a judge rather than negotiated between the spouses adds attorney hours, court time, and delay. The 91-day mandatory waiting period means even the fastest Colorado divorce takes at least three months from service or joint filing.

Additional Colorado-specific costs to budget for:

• Parenting education programs — typically $25–$75 per parent, required in many counties when minor children are involved; check your county's local court rules
• QDRO/DRO drafting — $500–$1,500 per retirement plan; Colorado PERA (Public Employees' Retirement Association) and Colorado PERA 401(k) accounts require specially reviewed DROs; see our QDRO guide
• Child and Family Investigator (CFI) — court-appointed investigators to evaluate parenting arrangements typically charge $1,000–$2,500 per case; private Parental Responsibilities Evaluators (PREs) cost significantly more and are used in complex custody disputes
• Mediation fees — required in most districts before a Permanent Orders hearing; Colorado's Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) offers reduced-fee mediation for qualifying filers; private mediators charge $150–$300/hr
• Certified copies of the Decree — typically $20–$30 per copy; obtain 3–5 certified copies when you receive your Decree for name change, beneficiary updates, mortgage refinancing, and employer HR records

For a full cost breakdown, see our page: Cost of Divorce in Colorado. If cost is a concern, read our guide on how to apply for a fee waiver in Colorado.

Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce in Colorado

Colorado offers two filing structures depending on how much both spouses agree. The Co-Petition path (both spouses file together) is the most efficient when mutual agreement exists from the start. The standard solo Petition is the default when spouses cannot fully agree or when one spouse needs immediate court intervention through temporary orders. Either path can be uncontested or contested — the real distinction is how many issues require a judge to decide.

Colorado requires mediation before contested hearings in most districts: If your divorce case is contested, the court will typically require both parties to attempt mediation before scheduling a Permanent Orders hearing. Mediation is confidential and may be conducted through the Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) — which offers reduced-fee services — or through a private mediator. Mediation is especially effective for parental responsibilities disputes, property division, and maintenance disagreements. Domestic violence victims can request an exemption from in-person mediation. For help with Hello Divorce mediation services, our mediators can guide you through the process remotely at a fraction of litigation costs.

Not sure which path applies? Read our full comparison: What Is a Contested Divorce? and What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

If you and your spouse are close to agreement but stuck on specific issues, Hello Divorce mediation services can help bridge the gap at a fraction of litigation costs. Mediation is especially effective for property division, maintenance, and parenting plan disputes. See our complete resource: How to Divorce in Colorado Without Lawyers.

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Colorado

Colorado recognizes legal separation as a formal court status that follows nearly the same process as dissolution of marriage — the same forms, the same 91-day residency requirement, the same mandatory financial disclosures, and the same 91-day waiting period. The key difference is that at the end of a legal separation, you remain legally married. Either spouse can later convert the legal separation to a full divorce no earlier than six months after the Decree of Legal Separation is entered.

Important: Unlike in some other states, Colorado's 91-day waiting period applies to both legal separation and divorce — there is no timing advantage to choosing legal separation over divorce. The primary reasons to choose legal separation in Colorado are insurance coverage, religious objection, or preserving the option to reconcile. If your goal is simply to move faster, legal separation will not accomplish that in Colorado.

To understand your options before filing, read our guide: Can I Get a Legal Separation in Colorado? and our broader resource on options to end a marriage in Colorado.

Colorado Divorce Forms and Paperwork

Colorado uses standardized statewide Judicial Forms — designated with the "JDF" prefix — available for free at coloradojudicial.gov. Some counties have additional local forms or filing checklists, but the core JDF forms are consistent statewide. Below are the primary forms for both the standard solo Petition path and the Co-Petition path.

All official Colorado divorce forms are free at the Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help Center and your county's District Court clerk. Hello Divorce guides you through completing every required form accurately — see our Colorado divorce forms guide or view all plans.

Changing Your Name After Divorce in Colorado

In Colorado, you can request a name restoration in your Petition (JDF 1011) at the time of filing — at no additional cost. The judge will include the name change order in your final Decree of Dissolution (JDF 1116). This allows you to restore a former surname or a pre-marriage name. If you did not request a name change in your Petition, you can file a separate motion (JDF 1824) in the court where your decree was entered within 60 days at no fee; after 60 days, a new case filing fee applies. Once you have your certified Decree, follow this sequence to update all records.

1. Social Security Administration — Update your SSA record first using your certified Decree and photo ID. Visit your local SSA office, submit Form SS-5 by mail, or complete the process at ssa.gov. You need an updated SSA card before the Colorado DMV will update your driver's license.
2. Colorado DMV (Driver's License) — Visit a DMV office with your updated SSA card, certified Decree, and proof of Colorado residency. If you are updating to a Real ID-compliant license, bring additional documentation per DMV requirements. Colorado allows you to make the initial change at a DMV office and renew online or by mail thereafter.
3. U.S. Passport — Submit the appropriate DS form with your certified Decree. Use DS-5504 if your passport was issued less than 1 year ago (no fee); DS-82 if issued more than 1 year ago (fee required); or DS-11 for a first-time application or if your passport is more than 15 years old.
4. Financial accounts, employer HR, and insurance — Contact each institution individually with a certified copy of your Decree. Order at least 3–5 certified copies from the District Court clerk when you receive your Decree — fees are typically $20–$30 per copy depending on county.

For a complete post-divorce name change checklist, see our guide: How to Change Your Name After Divorce and our Colorado-specific resource: Changing Your Name During or After Divorce in Colorado.

Local Colorado County Court Resources

Colorado divorce cases are filed in the District Court of the county where you or your spouse resides. Below are direct links to the official family law and divorce information pages for Colorado's five most populous counties.

• Denver County District Court — Family Division
• Jefferson County District Court — Domestic Relations
• Adams County District Court — Domestic Relations
• Arapahoe County District Court — Domestic Relations
• El Paso County Combined Courts — Family Law Division

Frequently Asked Questions: Divorce in Colorado

How long does a divorce take in Colorado?

The absolute minimum is 91 days from the date your spouse is served (for a solo Petition) or from your joint filing date (for a Co-Petition). This mandatory waiting period is set by Colorado law and cannot be waived or shortened under any circumstances. Uncontested divorces where both spouses agree on all terms — and who file all required paperwork before or promptly after the 91-day mark — can be finalized in 3–5 months. Contested divorces typically take 9–18 months or longer depending on the complexity of disputes, court scheduling, and whether mediation resolves any issues before a full hearing. See our full guide: Process to File for Divorce in Colorado.

Is Colorado a 50/50 divorce state?

No. Colorado is an equitable distribution state — not a community property state. This is one of the most common misconceptions about Colorado divorce law. Colorado law requires marital property to be divided fairly based on the specific circumstances of the marriage — not automatically 50/50. Courts weigh factors including each spouse's contributions (including homemaking and caregiving), economic circumstances, and the value of property already allocated to each party. Fault and marital misconduct do not affect property division. Spouses who reach a written Separation Agreement can divide property any way they agree; courts must honor the agreement unless it is unconscionable. For a personalized estimate, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst can help model outcomes. See also: What Does Colorado Law Say About Property Division?

Does Colorado require a reason to get divorced?

No. Colorado is a purely no-fault divorce state. The only ground for divorce is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" — meaning there is no reasonable likelihood the marriage can be preserved. You do not need your spouse's agreement, cooperation, or consent. Even if your spouse objects to the divorce entirely, the court will still grant the dissolution as long as one party states the marriage is irretrievably broken and the other does not deny it. Fault and marital misconduct do not affect whether the divorce is granted, how property is divided, or the availability of spousal maintenance. See our resource: Is Colorado a No-Fault Divorce State?

What happens to the house in a Colorado divorce?

If the home was purchased during the marriage, it is marital property subject to equitable division under Colorado law. Common resolutions include one spouse buying out the other's equity at a fair market value share, selling the home and dividing the net proceeds equitably, or a deferred sale arrangement — sometimes used when the custodial parent needs to remain in the home until a trigger event such as the children finishing school. If the home was purchased before marriage or purchased with documented separate funds, a portion may be treated as separate property. Courts may also consider whether it is in the children's best interests for the custodial parent to remain in the home. Use our home equity split calculator and read our guide: What to Do With the Marital Home in Divorce.

Can I get divorced in Colorado without a lawyer?

Yes. Many Coloradans complete uncontested divorces without an attorney using official JDF forms available free at coloradojudicial.gov. The Co-Petition filing option is especially well-suited for self-represented parties because it eliminates the service of process step. Online services like Hello Divorce provide guided form preparation, a completed Separation Agreement, and access to attorneys by the hour when you need legal advice — without requiring a full retainer or paying for services you don't need. The more complex your situation (children, real estate, retirement accounts, business interests), the more valuable professional guidance becomes — even if you don't hire an attorney for the full case. See our guide: How to Divorce in Colorado Without Lawyers.

How does spousal maintenance work in Colorado?

Spousal maintenance in Colorado is not automatic. For marriages of at least three years where combined annual adjusted gross income does not exceed $240,000, the court must calculate and disclose an advisory guideline amount — but the guideline is not presumptive. A judge can award more or less than the advisory amount after weighing statutory factors including the marital standard of living, each spouse's earning capacity, and the length of the marriage. As of August 6, 2025, courts must also consider evidence of domestic violence, abuse, and coercive control under SB 25-116. Maintenance is not taxable to the recipient or deductible by the payor under current federal tax law (for divorces finalized after 2018). For an estimate, see our resource: How Can I Get Spousal Support in Colorado?

What are Colorado's mandatory financial disclosure requirements?

Colorado requires both spouses to exchange a complete financial disclosure package within 42 days of service — or 42 days after the joint filing date for a Co-Petition. The required package includes JDF 1125 (Mandatory Disclosures checklist), JDF 1111 (Sworn Financial Statement), JDF 1111SS (Supporting Schedules), and JDF 1104 (Certificate of Compliance filed with the court). The actual financial documents — pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, retirement account statements — are exchanged with your spouse only, not filed with the court unless the court orders it. The obligation is ongoing: you must update your disclosures if your financial situation materially changes before the Decree is entered. Failure to complete accurate disclosures is among the most common reasons Colorado courts delay final judgments. For a full guide, see: Colorado's Mandatory Financial Disclosures.

Does Colorado recognize common-law marriage, and how does it affect divorce?

Yes — Colorado is one of a small number of states that still recognizes common-law marriage. A valid common-law marriage requires mutual agreement to be married, cohabitation, and a public reputation as a married couple. Crucially, you cannot simply end a common-law marriage by separating or stopping cohabitation — you must go through the same formal dissolution of marriage process as a ceremonially married couple, using the same JDF forms and following the same 91-day residency and waiting period requirements. Common-law marriages are also subject to the same equitable distribution of marital property rules. If the existence of a common-law marriage is disputed, that question must be resolved before the court can proceed with dissolution. For guidance, see our resource: Is Common-Law Marriage Valid in Colorado?