Steps & official forms
The agreed Colorado divorce, step by step
Every step of an uncontested Colorado dissolution of marriage, in order, with the official Colorado Judicial Branch form for each one. Form links open the Judicial Branch site. Use the date helper to see your own 42-day and 91-day dates.
Confirm you can file in Colorado
Before filing- One spouse must have lived in Colorado for at least 91 days right before filing.
- If you have children, they must have lived in Colorado for at least 182 days, or since birth if under six months old.
- You do not have to have a lawyer, but you must follow the same rules and procedures lawyers follow.
Sources: C.R.S. 14-10-106(1)(a)(I) in the Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 14; JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce.
Fill out the starting forms
Day 1- JDF 1000: Case Information Sheet
- JDF 1011: Petition for Divorce or Legal Separation
- JDF 1012: Summons. Skip it if you both sign the petition.
The Colorado Judicial Branch's own guide is JDF 1010 How to File for Divorce. If you want your prior name back, you can ask for it in the petition or the response.
Sources: JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce; Colorado Judicial Branch, Divorce or Legal Separation; Colorado Judicial Branch, Divorce and Separation.
File with the district court
Day 1- File in the county where you or your spouse lives.
- File online through Colorado Courts E-Filing, or in person with the court clerk.
- If you cannot afford the filing fee, the Judicial Branch guide lists the forms to ask the court to waive it (JDF 205 and JDF 206).
- From filing, both spouses must obey the automatic temporary injunction: do not sell, transfer, borrow against, hide or get rid of marital property without permission (ordinary living and business expenses are allowed); do not disturb the other spouse's peace; and do not cancel or change insurance that covers the other spouse, except as the orders allow.
Sources: Colorado Judicial Branch, Divorce or Legal Separation; JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce.
Serve your spouse and get a response
Skip if you filed together- JDF 1099: instructions for serving the other party
- JDF 1013: Waiver of Service, if your spouse agrees
- JDF 1014: Return of Service
- JDF 1015: Response to the Petition, filed by the responding spouse
Sources: Colorado Judicial Branch, Divorce or Legal Separation; JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce.
Financial disclosures and the Initial Status Conference
Within 42 daysWithin 42 days after filing or receiving the petition, each spouse must file:
- JDF 1111: Sworn Financial Statement
- JDF 1111SS: Supporting Schedules, if needed
- JDF 1104: Certificate of Compliance with Mandatory Financial Disclosures
The certificate lists documents each spouse sends to the other but does not file with the court, including the most recent three years of income tax returns, recent pay stubs, bank, investment and retirement account records, real estate documents, and debt statements.
The court schedules an Initial Status Conference within 42 days of filing, with a Family Court Facilitator, Magistrate or Judge, to review deadlines and your draft forms.
Sources: JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce; Colorado Judicial Branch, Case Process; JDF 1104.
Put your agreement in writing
When ready- JDF 1115: Property and Financial Agreement, one document signed by both spouses, dividing property and debts and addressing spousal support
- JDF 1113: Parenting Plan, if you have children, signed by both
- The child support worksheet, from the Judicial Branch's child support calculator
- JDF 1117: Support Order, caption only
If you cannot agree, the court may order mediation. The State Office of Dispute Resolution (ColoradoODR.org) helps spouses try to resolve open issues, and The Longmont Law Firm offers divorce mediation.
Sources: JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce; Colorado Judicial Branch, Case Process.
Request the decree
At least 91 days in- JDF 1018: Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance, if you qualify
- JDF 1019: Decree, caption only. Once the court signs it, the divorce is final.
The court cannot enter the decree until 91 days have passed since it gained jurisdiction over the responding spouse: the day you filed together, or the day your spouse was served or signed a waiver. The JDF 1018 affidavit does not shorten that wait, and the court may still set a hearing. If agreements are not reached, there will be a court hearing.
Sources: C.R.S. 14-10-106(1)(a)(III), 14-10-120(1) and 14-10-120.3(2)-(3) in the Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 14; JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce; JDF 1018, Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance.
After the decree
FinalUpdate accounts, insurance, beneficiaries, titles and your name where needed. The firm's after-divorce checklist walks through it.
Date helper
Your 42-day and 91-day dates
Enter the start date: the day you filed together, or the day the responding spouse was served or signed the waiver of service. The helper adds calendar days in your browser.
Rules used: the 42-day disclosure deadline counts from filing or receiving the petition (JDF 1010, How to File for Divorce); the 91-day waiting period counts from when the court gained jurisdiction over the responding spouse (C.R.S. 14-10-106(1)(a)(III)). Counting method: plain calendar days added to the start date. This is arithmetic, not a court calculation; the court's own orders control your dates.
- Pick a date to see your results.
Next step
Want a lawyer to check the paperwork?
A free 20-minute call is a good time to ask which of these steps you can handle yourselves.
Office telephone 303-406-2791
Office fax number 720-713-7147
Office mailing address The Longmont Law Firm, LLC, 1601 29th St. Suite 1292, Boulder, CO 80301
Email charles@longmont.law
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