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Guide to Uncontested Divorce in Colorado

December 23, 2025

Uncontested / Simple Divorce in Colorado: A Plain-English Guide

If you and your spouse agree that the marriage is over and you don’t want a long, expensive court fight, an uncontested divorce in Colorado (a dissolution of marriage) can often be the most straightforward way to legally end your marriage.

Instead of arguing in front of a judge, the focus in a Colorado simple divorce is on Colorado District Court paperwork, deadlines, and making sure the court has what it needs to review your agreement and sign the final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.

This guide explains, in plain English, how uncontested divorce in Colorado usually works: who qualifies, the basic steps, how long it may take (including the mandatory 91-day waiting period), what it commonly costs, and where a do it yourself approach or self help kit can fit into the process.

Important: PlainDivorce is not a law firm. Nothing here is legal advice. This is general legal information only. Court rules, JDF forms, and fees can change, and local practices can vary by county. If you have questions about your rights or what is fair in your situation, consider speaking with a Colorado family lawyer or legal clinic.

Table of Contents

uncontested divorce in Colorado

1. What Is an Uncontested or Simple Divorce in Colorado?

In Colorado, divorce is called a dissolution of marriage. Colorado is a no fault state, which means the usual legal ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The court does not need proof of cheating or bad behavior to grant a divorce.

People use the terms uncontested divorce or simple divorce to describe cases where:

  • Both spouses agree the marriage should end;
  • They have sorted out parenting (if they have children), child support, spousal maintenance, and property and debt division; and
  • No one is asking the judge to decide disputed issues at a trial.

In a typical uncontested Colorado case, you start the District Court case by filing the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (JDF 1101) either as co-petitioners (joint filing) or with one spouse filing first. If you have a full agreement, you often also file a signed Separation Agreement (JDF 1115) covering property, debts, and (if applicable) maintenance.

By contrast, a contested divorce is one where the spouses cannot agree on major issues. Those cases may involve multiple court dates, formal discovery, and sometimes a trial. Even if you start out contested, you can still turn the case into an uncontested one by reaching a full agreement later.

2. Who Qualifies for an Uncontested Divorce in Colorado?

Residency requirements

To file for dissolution of marriage in Colorado, you or your spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days before starting the case in District Court.

If you have minor children and you want Colorado to enter parenting orders, the children generally must have lived in Colorado for about six months (or since birth if they are younger than six months), unless an exception applies under interstate child custody rules.

When a case is a good fit for uncontested

Your case is usually a good match for an uncontested divorce in Colorado if you can communicate well enough to exchange information and sign documents, and you have a clear agreement about:

  • Parenting time and decision making (if there are children);
  • Child support and how children’s expenses will be handled;
  • Whether spousal maintenance will be paid, and if so, how much and for how long; and
  • How property and debts will be divided.

When uncontested or DIY may not be a good idea

Even if you qualify to file in Colorado, an uncontested or DIY approach may not be wise if there is domestic violence or coercion, hidden assets, complex finances (businesses, multiple properties, significant retirement issues), or serious disputes about children. In those situations, even a short consultation with a Colorado family lawyer or legal clinic can be a smart safety step.

3. Step-by-Step Overview of the Uncontested Divorce Process in Colorado

Every county has small differences, but most uncontested cases follow the same basic path in District Court.

Step 1 – Confirm your path: co-petitioners (joint) vs one spouse files first

Filing as co-petitioners usually makes an uncontested case simpler because you typically avoid formal service. It can also save money because you often avoid the second spouse having to pay a Response fee just to participate.

Step 2 – Reach a full agreement on the major issues

Uncontested cases move faster when you settle the major topics early:

  • Children: parenting time schedule and decision making.
  • Child support: guideline worksheet inputs and who pays what expenses.
  • Spousal maintenance: whether it applies, and if so, amount and duration.
  • Property and debts: home, vehicles, accounts, retirement, credit cards, loans.

Colorado courts commonly use a Separation Agreement (JDF 1115) to document the agreement on property, debts, and maintenance (if any). Parenting and support terms may be documented in additional required forms.

Step 3 – Prepare the core JDF form stack (including the “financial compliance” hard stop)

Colorado’s Judicial Branch provides official JDF forms. A typical uncontested dissolution commonly involves forms such as:

  • Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (JDF 1101)
  • Sworn Financial Statement (JDF 1111) (each spouse)
  • Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Financial Disclosures (JDF 1104)
  • Separation Agreement (JDF 1115)
  • Support Order (JDF 1117) (commonly required if child support or maintenance will be ordered)
  • If you have children: required parenting and child support paperwork, including the Child Support Worksheet (JDF 1820/1821)

Do not skip JDF 1104. Colorado is strict about financial transparency in domestic cases. Even when you agree on everything, the court typically expects proof that you exchanged the required financial documents. If the court cannot see a completed Certificate of Compliance (JDF 1104), your case can stall because the clerk may not be able to send the file to the judge for decree review.

Step 4 – File your case with the District Court clerk

File in the correct county District Court (usually where either spouse lives). Keep your case number and use it on all future documents. If you qualify, you can ask the court about a fee waiver process.

Step 5 – Service only if one spouse filed first

If you filed as co-petitioners, you typically do not need service because both of you started the case together. If only one spouse filed, the other spouse must be properly served, and you must file proof of service.

Step 6 – The paperwork tool that can let you finish without appearing in court (JDF 1018)

Many couples worry they will have to go to court. In Colorado, some uncontested cases can be completed based on paperwork review when the file is complete and the judge approves the agreement.

The key form many people search for is the Affidavit for Decree without Appearance of Parties (JDF 1018). In plain terms, it is the mechanism that can allow a decree to be entered without a live appearance in some situations, depending on the facts of the case, whether children are involved, and local practice.

Important: A judge can still require a hearing if something is missing, if the court has questions, or if local practice requires it. Also, cases involving minor children may have additional limits on when a decree can be entered by affidavit without appearance.

Step 7 – Submit the final packet and get your Decree

After the waiting period has run and your file is complete, the judge reviews the paperwork. If approved, the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage. You can request certified copies from the clerk for record keeping, name change steps, and other updates.

4. Special Issues When You Have Children

If you have children under 18, the court’s first priority is their best interests. Even in a fully uncontested case, Colorado requires clear parenting and child support paperwork.

Allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time

Colorado uses the term allocation of parental responsibilities for what many people call custody. Your parenting paperwork should clearly explain decision making, parenting time schedules, holidays, transportation, and communication.

Child support worksheets

Child support is typically calculated using Colorado guidelines and documented using a Child Support Worksheet (JDF 1820/1821). If you agree to a different amount than the guideline suggests, the court may require an explanation.

Parenting classes

Many districts require parents to complete a parenting education class and file proof of completion before final orders are entered. Check your county’s instructions early so this does not delay your decree.

5. How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Colorado?

Colorado has a mandatory 91-day waiting period. In general, the court cannot grant the divorce until at least 91 days have passed from the joint filing date (if you file together) or from the date the other spouse is served (if one spouse filed first).

In real life, many uncontested cases take longer than the minimum because you still have to complete financial disclosures, file the Certificate of Compliance (JDF 1104), and submit a final packet the court will accept.

  • Simple case, no children, full agreement: often around 3 to 4 months if paperwork is clean and the court is not backlogged.
  • Cases with children or more complex finances: often 4 to 6 months or longer depending on requirements and scheduling.

6. What Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in Colorado?

Costs vary by county and situation, but there are a few predictable buckets.

Core court fees (benchmark numbers)

  • Filing fee (dissolution case): commonly $230.
  • Response fee: commonly $116 if the other spouse files a Response in a one-petitioner case.

Insider tip: Filing as co-petitioners (joint filing) often avoids service and may help you avoid the second spouse paying the Response fee just to participate.

Other common costs

  • Service fees (only if one spouse filed first and service is required)
  • Parenting class fees (if you have minor children)
  • Copies and certified copies of the final decree
  • Optional help such as mediation, limited scope attorney review, or a self help kit

Always confirm current fees with the Colorado Judicial Branch or your local District Court clerk before filing, because fees and procedures can change.

7. When a DIY Divorce Might Not Be Right for You

A do it yourself divorce can save time and money, but be cautious about going fully DIY if there is domestic violence, stalking, coercion, serious mental health or substance issues affecting safety, hidden assets, complicated property, or high stakes tax, immigration, or bankruptcy issues. In those situations, consider legal advice before signing a Separation Agreement or support terms.

8. Where a Self-Help Divorce Kit Fits Into the Process

For many people, the hardest part of a Colorado uncontested divorce is not the concept of no fault dissolution. It is the paperwork and staying organized from start to finish. A good self help kit can help you track the process and avoid common rejection points.

  • Clear steps (file → disclosures → waiting period → final packet)
  • Checklists for common JDF forms (including JDF 1104 and JDF 1117 when applicable)
  • Timeline guidance tied to the 91-day waiting period
  • Organization help so your final submission is consistent
Download Our Colorado Uncontested Divorce Self-Help Kit

9. Final Thoughts and Next Steps

If you want the cleanest uncontested path in Colorado, focus on the must hit targets:

  • Confirm residency and file in the correct county District Court
  • Decide whether you will file jointly as co-petitioners
  • Exchange complete financial disclosures and file JDF 1104
  • Use a clear written agreement (often JDF 1115) and include a Support Order (JDF 1117) if support or maintenance will be ordered
  • Track the 91-day waiting period from the correct start date (joint filing or service)
  • Submit a complete final packet and request certified copies after the decree is entered

Reminder: PlainDivorce is not a law firm and cannot give legal advice. Always verify current forms, fees, and county procedures with official Colorado Judicial Branch resources and your local District Court clerk.

About Harry D

Expert contributor at PlainDivorce, helping Canadians and American navigate simple uncontested divorces with clarity and confidence.