Denver, CO family law attorney Kristi Wells gives a quick overview of the divorce process in Colorado. She explains that the basics of a Colorado divorce begin with the case being filed, either as a petition—where one party files and serves the other—or as a joint petition, where both parties present to the court that they wish to dissolve the marriage. The earliest a divorce decree can be entered in Colorado is 91 days after the case is filed, though many divorces take longer.

Within the first 42 days, an initial status conference occurs, where the court reviews the issues, identifies necessary experts, and discusses the matters that will need to be addressed throughout the divorce process. In some cases, a permanent orders hearing may be scheduled.

The parties are required to complete a series of mandatory disclosures, including the exchange of documents and a sworn affidavit outlining assets, debts, income, and expenses. This ensures both parties understand the scope of the marital estate. For simple divorces, settlement discussions can begin immediately, often before mediation, which is required in every district in Colorado.

For more complex cases, financial disclosures may reveal the need for expert evaluations, such as business valuations or assessments of marital components of trusts. Settlement discussions are often delayed until these expert reports are completed.

Other key issues include maintenance (or spousal support), which considers a party’s ability to support themselves and the reasonable needs during the marriage; child support, which is calculated based on both parties’ financial circumstances; and parenting time. If parties cannot agree on parenting arrangements, the court may appoint a child and family investigator or parental responsibilities evaluator to make recommendations in the best interest of the children.

Her goal is always to help parties reach a settlement, as this allows them to maintain the most control over the outcome. However, some cases proceed to a permanent orders hearing, which can extend the timeline significantly due to court backlogs. While 91 days may be achievable for cooperative parties, contested cases typically take much longer to resolve in Colorado.