How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Colorado?

A pro se uncontested divorce in Colorado can cost as little as $260 in court fees — or nothing at all if you qualify for a fee waiver. On the other end, a contested case with attorneys can run $10,000–$20,000 or more. Here's a breakdown of every cost you might face.

Court Filing Fees

Colorado updated its domestic relations fees on January 1, 2025 (pursuant to HB24-1286):

If both spouses file jointly as Co-Petitioners, only the $260 petition fee applies — no separate response fee, no service costs.

Service of Process Costs

Joint filers skip this entirely. If you file alone, you need to serve your spouse:

• Voluntary waiver (JDF 1013): Free — your spouse signs and notarizes the waiver
• Sheriff service: $40–$100 depending on the county
• Private process server: $50–$150
• Service by publication: $100–$300+ for five consecutive weeks of newspaper ads, plus the court filing for alternative service

Parenting Class Fees

If your case involves minor children, both parents must complete a court-approved parenting education class. Cost: $30–$75 per parent, depending on the provider. If you have an approved fee waiver (JDF 206), providers must reduce the fee or offer a 50% discount.

Mediation Costs

Mediation isn't required in uncontested cases but is commonly ordered in contested ones:

• State-sponsored ODR mediation: $75 per party per hour (capped at four hours). Reduced to $15/hour for parties with an approved fee waiver.
• Private mediation: $200–$400 per hour in the Denver metro area, typically split between both parties.

Attorney Fees (If You Hire One)

The average cost of a lawyer-managed divorce in Colorado ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 for a relatively straightforward contested case. Complex cases involving business valuations, retirement account division (QDROs), or custody disputes can exceed $30,000 per spouse.

Many pro se filers hire an attorney only for limited-scope tasks — document review, a single hearing appearance, or QDRO preparation — at hourly rates typically between $250 and $400.

Fee Waivers for Low-Income Filers

If your household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can apply to waive court fees using JDF 205 (Motion to Waive Fees) and JDF 206 (Proposed Order).

2026 income limits for automatic eligibility:

You also qualify automatically if you receive SNAP, SSI, TANF, Aid to the Blind, Aid to the Needy and Disabled, or Old Age Pension benefits.

One restriction to know: fee waiver applications in divorce cases must be submitted in person or by mail. They cannot be filed through the e-filing system. And if you're granted a fee waiver, you must file all your case documents on paper — the e-filing portal is not available to fee-waived pro se litigants.

Total Cost Scenarios

Control Your Costs From Day One

Most filing mistakes and delays directly translate into additional expenses — paying for re-service, missing disclosure deadlines, or hiring a lawyer to clean up a procedural error. The Colorado Divorce Filing Process Guide maps every deadline and required form into a single timeline, helping you avoid the missteps that inflate the cost of an otherwise straightforward divorce.

See more Colorado guides →