Family Law Resources

Filing for Divorce in Colorado

Colorado calls divorce "dissolution of marriage."

Residency Requirements

At least one spouse must be a resident of Colorado for at least 91 days before filing.

Waiting Period

91 days from date of filing OR service (whichever is later) before the court can finalize.

Filing Process

1. File Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in district court


2. Serve your spouse with papers


3. Exchange financial disclosures


4. Attend Initial Status Conference


5. Negotiate or proceed to trial

No-Fault State

Colorado is a pure no-fault state. The only ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."

Family Courts in Colorado

Family law cases in Colorado are heard in District Court.

Court Structure

• 22 judicial districts across Colorado


• Each county has a district court


• Domestic relations cases handled in district court

Major Metro Courts

• Denver: Denver District Court, 1437 Bannock St


• Jefferson County: Jefferson County Courts


• Arapahoe County: Arapahoe County District Court


• El Paso County: El Paso County Combined Courts

Self-Represented Litigants

Colorado courts provide Self-Help Centers with forms and assistance.

Filing Fees in Colorado

Fee Schedule

• Dissolution with children: $230


• Dissolution without children: $230


• Response fee: $116

Fee Waiver

Motion to Waive Filing Fees available for those who cannot afford fees. Must demonstrate financial need.

Typical Total Costs

• Uncontested: $500-$2,500


• Contested: $5,000-$25,000+

Free Legal Resources in Colorado

Colorado Legal Services

• Website: coloradolegalservices.org


• Phone: 303-837-1313 (Denver) or 1-888-264-5235


• Serves low-income Coloradans statewide

Online Resources

• Colorado Free Legal Answers: colorado.freelegalanswers.org


• Colorado Judicial Branch Self-Help: courts.state.co.us

Pro Bono Programs

• Denver Bar Association Pro Bono


• Metro Volunteer Lawyers

Critical Deadlines in Colorado

91-Day Waiting Period

Court cannot finalize dissolution until at least 91 days after filing or service (whichever is later).

Response Deadline

21 days to file a response after being served (35 days if served out of state).

Financial Disclosures

Must be exchanged within 42 days of filing or service.

Parenting Plan

Must be filed within 49 days of service if children are involved.

Colorado's Unique Family Law Features

Terminology

Colorado replaced "custody" with "parental responsibilities" and "visitation" with "parenting time" to reduce conflict.

Decision-Making Allocation

Courts can allocate decision-making by category (e.g., one parent decides education, other decides healthcare).

Parenting Coordinator

Courts may appoint a parenting coordinator to help high-conflict parents implement parenting plans.

Child's Preference

Courts consider the child's wishes based on maturity, but no specific age requirement.

Common Law Marriage

Colorado is one of few states that still recognizes common law marriage.