So, You Want a Divorce in Colorado? Here’s What to Know Before You Google “Cheap Lawyer Near Me.”

By Katy Grace Kinney, Founding Attorney at Resolved Law Group

Let’s face it—nobody gets married thinking they’ll be typing “how to file for divorce in Colorado” into their search bar one day. But life happens. Maybe you grew apart, maybe you discovered irreconcilable differences, or maybe you just realized you can’t keep pretending their kombucha brewing hobby is charming.

Whatever brought you here, you’re in the right place.

As the founding attorney of Resolved Law Group in Colorado Springs, I’ve walked many people through this process—some were heartbroken, some were relieved, most were confused. So, let’s break down the basics of how to file for divorce in Colorado, what you need to know, and why hiring an experienced attorney (hi, that’s me) can make a world of difference.

Step 1: Know the Lingo – It’s Not Always Called “Divorce”

In Colorado, the legal term for divorce is Dissolution of Marriage.
If you're in a civil union, it's called—wait for it—Dissolution of Civil Union.
Either way, the legal process is more or less the same.

Step 2: Are You Even Eligible?

Before you grab your pen or your keyboard, make sure you meet the residency requirement:

At least one party must have lived in Colorado for 91 days before filing.
If there are children involved, they must have lived in Colorado for at least 182 days (or since birth, if they’re under 6 months old) for the court to issue custody orders.

Source: Colorado Judicial Branch – Divorce & Separation

Step 3: File the Paperwork

There are two ways to file:

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (with or without children) – filed jointly or by one party.

If you're filing solo, you'll need to serve the other party with the papers (and no, leaving them on the kitchen table doesn’t count).

Once you file, you’re officially in it. You'll be assigned a case number and begin the 91-day waiting period (Colorado’s version of a cooling-off period).

Step 4: The “I Didn’t Know Divorce Involved This Much Paperwork” Phase

From here, you’ll move on to:

Swapping financial disclosures
Discussing parenting plans (if applicable)
Temporary orders hearings, if things like parenting time or financial support need to be addressed before the divorce is finalized
Possibly attending mediation

And if you and your ex can’t agree on things like who gets the dog, who gets the house, or who gets the debt? Well, that’s when you head to court.

Step 5: Final Orders and The Big D (Decree, That Is)