How to File for Divorce in Colorado

Colorado calls it "dissolution of marriage," not divorce — but the process is the same. If you're ready to file, the mechanics are straightforward once you know the sequence. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.

Confirm You Meet Colorado's Residency Requirement

At least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for a minimum of 91 days before you can file. If you have minor children, Colorado must have been the children's home state for at least 182 days (or since birth, if they're under six months old) for the court to make custody decisions.

You'll file in the district court of the county where either you or your spouse lives. Filing in the wrong county won't kill your case — the court still has jurisdiction — but your spouse can request a transfer, which adds weeks.

Prepare Your Initial Filing Packet

You need three forms to open your case:

• JDF 1000 (Case Information Sheet) — basic case details, including Social Security numbers for both spouses and any minor children
• JDF 1011 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage) — the actual petition stating the marriage is irretrievably broken
• JDF 1012 (Summons) — only needed if you're filing alone; not required for joint filings

If both spouses sign the petition together, you file as Co-Petitioners and skip formal service of process entirely. If you're filing alone, you're the Petitioner and your spouse becomes the Respondent.

Pay the Filing Fee

The filing fee is $260 at any Colorado district court. If your spouse files a response, they pay a separate $146 fee.

If your household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can apply for a fee waiver using JDF 205 and JDF 206. You can also qualify automatically if you receive SNAP, SSI, TANF, or certain other public benefits. One catch: fee waiver applications must be filed in person or by mail — they cannot be submitted through the e-filing system.

Serve Your Spouse (If Filing Alone)

Joint filers can skip this step. If you filed solo, you must serve your spouse within 63 days. You cannot hand them the papers yourself.

Three options:

1. Voluntary waiver — Your spouse signs JDF 1013 (Waiver and Acceptance of Service) before a notary. Cheapest and fastest.
2. Personal service — A sheriff, private process server, or any uninvolved adult over 18 hand-delivers the papers and files JDF 1014 (Return of Service). Sheriff fees typically run $40–$100.
3. Service by publication — If your spouse is genuinely missing after a diligent search, you can ask the court for permission to publish in a local newspaper for five consecutive weeks. This only gives the court power to dissolve the marriage — not to divide out-of-state property or order support.

Once served, your spouse has 21 days to respond (35 days if served outside Colorado or by publication).

Understand What Happens Automatically

The moment you file (or serve), an automatic temporary injunction kicks in for both spouses. Neither of you can hide or transfer assets, cancel insurance policies without 14 days' written notice, remove children from the state, or disturb the peace of the other party. This stays in effect until the case is finalized.

Complete Financial Disclosures

Within 42 days of filing (joint) or service (solo), both spouses must exchange completed JDF 1111 (Sworn Financial Statement) forms, plus three years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, bank statements, and retirement account documentation. File your JDF 1111 and JDF 1104 (Certificate of Compliance) with the court — but keep the backup documents between yourselves.

Colorado takes this seriously. If a spouse hides assets, the court can reopen the property division for up to five years after the final decree.

Wait Out the 91-Day Cooling Period

No Colorado divorce can be finalized until at least 91 days after the court gains jurisdiction over the respondent. This applies even if you filed jointly and agree on everything. There is no way to shorten or waive this period.

Use this time to negotiate your separation agreement (JDF 1115 for property, JDF 1113 for parenting), complete the mandatory co-parenting class if you have children, and organize your financial documentation.

Finalize Your Divorce

Once the 91-day period expires and all required paperwork is filed, you can request the judge to sign the decree. In uncontested cases without children (or where both parents have attorneys), you can avoid a hearing entirely by submitting JDF 1018 (Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance).

If you have children and either parent is self-represented, a brief hearing is mandatory — but it's typically a formality in agreed cases.

The judge signs JDF 1116 (Decree of Dissolution), and your marriage is legally dissolved.

Navigate the Full Process With Confidence

Colorado's filing process has specific deadlines, required forms, and procedural gates that trip up self-represented filers every day. The Colorado Divorce Filing Process Guide walks you through each step with worksheets, timelines, and checklists — so you know exactly what to file and when.

See more Colorado guides →