Divorce Resources in Colorado: Court Forms, Legal Aid & Filing Guide

To file for divorce in Colorado, you must have been a resident of the state for at least 91 days before filing, as required by C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(I). File your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (JDF 1011) along with the Case Information Sheet (JDF 1000) at the district court in the county where you or your spouse resides. The filing fee is $230, payable at the time of filing. If you cannot afford the fee, submit JDF 205 (Motion to Waive Fees) and JDF 206 (Order re Court Fees) requesting a waiver. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state — the only ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(II). An additional $12 e-filing fee applies when filing electronically through the Colorado Courts E-Filing system.

After filing, you must serve the Summons (JDF 1012) and a copy of the Petition on your spouse through personal service by a process server or sheriff, or through certified mail with return receipt under C.R.C.P. Rule 4. Your spouse has 21 days to file a Response (JDF 1015) if served within Colorado, or 35 days if served outside the state. The response filing fee is $146. If your spouse cannot be located after diligent efforts, you may request service by publication under C.R.C.P. Rule 4(g). The Summons includes automatic temporary injunctions under C.R.S. § 14-10-107(4)(b) that prohibit both parties from transferring or hiding marital assets.

Within 42 days of service, both parties must exchange mandatory financial disclosures under Colorado Rule 16.2(e). Each party files a Sworn Financial Statement (JDF 1111) detailing monthly income, expenses, assets, and debts, along with supporting documents including three years of tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and retirement account records. File the Certificate of Compliance (JDF 1104) with the court confirming all disclosures have been exchanged. If minor children are involved, both parents must also file a Parenting Plan (JDF 1113) and Child Support Worksheet (JDF 1820 or JDF 1821) within the same 42-day deadline.

The court cannot enter a final Decree of Dissolution (JDF 1019) until at least 91 days after the respondent was served, per C.R.S. § 14-10-106(1)(a)(III). Both parties must file a Property and Financial Agreement (JDF 1115) dividing marital assets, debts, and addressing spousal maintenance under the advisory guidelines of C.R.S. § 14-10-114. If the parties agree on all terms and have completed all required filings, they may submit an Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance (JDF 1018) to obtain the decree without a hearing. If contested issues remain, the court will schedule a hearing where both parties present evidence before issuing the final decree.

Colorado courts may order parents of minor children under age 18 to attend a parenting education class under C.R.S. § 14-10-123.7. In practice, all parties with minor children in divorce, legal separation, or allocation of parental responsibilities proceedings must attend a court-approved parenting class. The program educates parents about the impact of divorce on children and teaches cooperative co-parenting strategies. Each judicial district administers its own approved program with designated providers.

Colorado requires two levels of parenting classes. Level 1 is mandatory for all parents in divorce or custody cases and covers how family transitions affect children and what parents can do to support adjustment. Level 2 is ordered in medium-to-high-conflict situations, often on recommendation of a Child and Family Investigator (CFI), and provides deeper training in communication, conflict resolution, and emotional management. Each parent pays their own class fee directly to the provider — the court cannot waive provider fees. Parties must file a certificate of completion with the court. Some judicial districts may not accept online classes, so parents should verify accepted formats with their local court.

Colorado courts routinely order mediation in contested divorce cases before allowing trial, though it is not universally mandatory by statute. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-129.5, the court may require parties to seek mediation and report results within 63 days in disputes concerning parenting time. Under C.R.S. § 13-22-311, any court of record may refer a case to mediation services at its discretion, subject to availability. Most Colorado judicial districts have local rules requiring mediation for contested domestic relations matters involving property division, spousal maintenance, child custody, parenting time, or child support disputes.

Mediation costs are typically shared between the parties. The Colorado Judicial Branch provides the Office of Dispute Resolution with reduced-cost or free mediation services in some districts. If mediation results in full agreement, the parties submit a written settlement to the court. If mediation produces only partial agreement, unresolved issues proceed to trial. Attendance at mediation sessions may be required, but reaching agreement remains voluntary — neither party can be forced to accept terms. The court has an important exception: it shall not refer a case to mediation where one party claims to be a victim of physical or psychological abuse by the other party and is unwilling to enter mediation under C.R.S. § 13-22-311.

Colorado requires mandatory financial disclosure in every divorce and legal separation case under Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 16.2(e). Both parties must file a Sworn Financial Statement (JDF 1111) within 42 days of the date of service of the petition. This six-page form details gross monthly income, monthly expenses, all assets (real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, investments, retirement funds), all debts, and any separate property claims. The Supporting Schedules for Assets (JDF 1111 SS) must accompany JDF 1111 when assets exist in sections F through I.

In addition to the Sworn Financial Statement, each party must exchange supporting financial documents with the other party, including three years of income tax returns, current pay stubs, bank and financial institution statements, investment account statements, retirement account documentation, insurance policies, and documentation of extraordinary children's expenses. These documents are exchanged between the parties but not filed with the court. Each party files a Certificate of Compliance (JDF 1104) confirming that all mandatory disclosures have been provided. Under Rule 16.2(e), parties owe each other and the court a duty of full and honest disclosure. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, asset reallocation, fines, attorney fee penalties, or reopening of the divorce judgment if hidden assets are later discovered. If financial information changes before the final decree, both parties have a continuing duty to provide updated information.