If you are searching for a Denver divorce lawyer, your case will be handled by the Denver District Court inside the City and County Building at 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202. Denver is unusual in Colorado: the Second Judicial District is the only district that is not a combined court, so divorce (called dissolution of marriage) goes specifically to the District Court rather than the County Court. The petitioner pays a $230 filing fee plus a $12 non-waivable e-filing fee as of January 2026, at least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for 91 days before filing under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, and the court cannot finalize anything until 91 days after the respondent is served. Whether you live in Capitol Hill, Cherry Creek, Park Hill, Five Points, or Stapleton, the same downtown courthouse serves the entire City and County of Denver.
Key facts for filing divorce in Denver
The table below summarizes the local logistics for a Denver divorce. Denver County and the City of Denver share identical boundaries, so every Denver resident files at the same District Court regardless of neighborhood. Colorado is an equitable-distribution, no-fault state, meaning the court divides marital property fairly rather than automatically 50/50 and does not weigh fault such as adultery.
| Detail | Denver specifics |
|---|---|
| County | Denver County (coextensive with the City of Denver) |
| Filing court | Denver District Court (Second Judicial District), Clerk's Office Room 256 |
| Court address | 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) |
| Filing fee range | $230 petition + $12 e-filing; $116 response fee for the other spouse |
| Residency requirement | 91 days domiciled in Colorado before filing (C.R.S. § 14-10-106) |
| Waiting period | 91 days minimum from service before a decree can enter |
| Property model | Equitable distribution, no-fault (C.R.S. § 14-10-113) |
How do I file for divorce in Denver, Colorado?
To file for divorce in Denver, complete the Colorado JDF forms and submit them to the Denver District Court Clerk at 1437 Bannock Street, Room 256, with the $230 filing fee plus $12 e-filing fee as of January 2026. You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (JDF 1101) along with a Case Information Sheet (JDF 1000) and Summons (JDF 1102). Within 42 days, both spouses must exchange a Sworn Financial Statement (JDF 1111) disclosing income, assets, and debts. If you and your spouse file jointly as co-petitioners, no one needs to be served and the 91-day clock runs from the filing date. If you file alone, you must serve your spouse, who then has 21 days to respond if served in Colorado. Most Denver filers now use the Colorado Courts E-Filing system rather than walking paper to the courthouse, though self-represented parties can still file in person at Room 256.
Where do I file for divorce in Denver? (which courthouse)
Denver divorce petitions are filed with the Denver District Court Clerk's Office in Room 256 of the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80202, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is the correct court for every Denver resident because dissolution of marriage is a domestic-relations matter assigned to the District Court, not the separate Denver County Court that handles traffic and misdemeanors. The building sits across from Civic Center Park, between the State Capitol and the Denver City and County Building's iconic columned facade. If you need help with the forms, the Denver District Court Self-Help Center is located one floor up in Room 281 of the same building and can be reached at 303-606-2442 or 02SelfHelp@judicial.state.co.us. Self-Help staff review court forms and explain procedures but cannot give legal advice.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Denver?
A Denver divorce lawyer typically charges $250 to $450 per hour, with total attorney costs ranging from roughly $3,000 for an uncontested case to $12,500 or more for a contested divorce involving custody or significant assets. Most Denver firms require a retainer of $2,500 to $7,500 up front, billed against hourly work. The court costs themselves are comparatively small: $230 to file plus the $12 e-filing fee, and $116 if your spouse files a formal response. Mediation, which the Denver District Court frequently orders before a contested hearing, generally adds $200 to $400 per hour split between the parties. The biggest cost driver is conflict: disputes over the marital home, retirement accounts divided under a QDRO, or parenting time push the total higher because they require depositions, expert valuations, and additional hearings before the District Court.
How long does a divorce take in Denver?
A Denver divorce takes a minimum of 91 days because Colorado law bars the court from entering a decree until 91 days have passed from service of the petition, or from the filing date when spouses co-petition, under C.R.S. § 14-10-106. In practice, an uncontested Denver dissolution with a complete settlement and accurate JDF 1111 financial statements often finalizes in three to five months. Contested cases involving disputed property under C.R.S. § 14-10-113 or contested parenting time under C.R.S. § 14-10-124 commonly run nine to eighteen months as the Denver District Court schedules status conferences, mediation, and a permanent orders hearing. The 91-day waiting period is a floor, not a typical timeline, so plan for several months even in cooperative cases.
What are the residency requirements to file in Denver County?
To file for divorce in Denver County, at least one spouse must have been domiciled in Colorado for 91 days immediately before filing the petition, under C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(I). Domicile means Colorado is your permanent home with intent to remain, not merely physical presence, so a student or temporary worker may not qualify. Colorado's 91-day requirement is among the shortest in the nation. This rule applies whether or not you married in Colorado. Child custody jurisdiction is separate: under C.R.S. § 14-13-201, children generally must have lived in Colorado for at least 182 days before a Denver court can decide parenting time and decision-making responsibility.
How is property and custody decided in a Denver divorce?
A Denver judge divides marital property under C.R.S. § 14-10-113 using equitable distribution, meaning a fair split that may not be exactly equal, without regard to marital misconduct. All property acquired during the marriage is presumed marital regardless of whose name is on the title; gifts, inheritances, and pre-marriage assets generally stay separate. For children, Colorado replaced the word custody with allocation of parental responsibilities. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-124, the court allocates parenting time and decision-making in the best interests of the child, giving paramount consideration to the child's safety. As of March 1, 2026, Colorado adopted a unified child support worksheet (JDF 1820) that replaced the prior version, so verify you are using the current form. The court may order income-based child support and, in longer marriages, spousal maintenance based on statutory guidelines.
Fee waivers and self-help in Denver
If you cannot afford the $230 filing fee, Denver residents earning at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (about $19,563 per year for an individual or $40,188 for a family of four in 2026) can request a waiver by filing JDF 205 (Motion to File Without Payment) and JDF 206 (Supporting Financial Affidavit). The $12 e-filing fee, however, is not waivable. All required JDF forms are free from the Colorado Judicial Branch website, and the Denver Self-Help Center in Room 281 helps self-represented filers complete them. For a do-it-yourself estimate, use the divorce cost estimator and support calculators below before deciding whether to retain a Denver divorce lawyer.