Colorado divorce rates

Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shows that both marriage and divorce rates have steadily decreased over the last ten years:

  • In 2013, the marriage rate was 6.9 per 1,000 residents, while the divorce rate stood at 3.9 per 1,000.
  • By 2022, the marriage rate had declined to 6.1, and the divorce rate to 2.8 per 1,000.
  • In 2023, Colorado reported approximately 23,400 divorces, a 2.3% increase from the previous year, suggesting a possible rebound as post-pandemic court activity normalizes.

Despite the decline, Colorado’s divorce rate remains slightly above the national average. The United States had an average divorce rate of approximately 2.5 per 1,000 in 2022, according to the CDC.

Geographic Differences Within Colorado

Divorce is not distributed evenly across the state. Urban areas with dense populations tend to report higher numbers of both marriages and divorces due to better court access, greater legal awareness, and more liberal social norms. For example:

  • Denver County, El Paso County, and Arapahoe County routinely have the highest number of divorce filings in the state.
  • In contrast, rural counties such as San Juan, Jackson, or Mineral often report very few divorces annually.

Regional economic factors also play a role. In counties with higher housing costs, job instability, or limited childcare infrastructure, financial stress can be a major trigger for relationship breakdowns.

Key Demographics of Divorcing Couples

The majority of divorces in Colorado occur among individuals aged 30 to 44, often couples who married young, started families, and are now navigating high-cost living, career demands, or parenting pressures. Gender-wise, women initiate divorce proceedings more frequently than men, citing reasons such as emotional neglect or inequality in household responsibilities.

Educational attainment is also a clear predictor:

  • Couples with college degrees generally have lower divorce rates.
  • Those with only a high school education or less are at increased risk, often due to economic vulnerability.

Fault vs. No-Fault Divorce

Colorado is a no-fault divorce state, which means couples do not need to prove wrongdoing or marital misconduct. Instead, either spouse may file for divorce based on the claim that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” This simplifies the legal process but does not eliminate the emotional and financial complexities of separating shared lives.

Still, behavior such as infidelity, addiction, or domestic violence can influence outcomes in custody or spousal maintenance decisions, even if they do not formally affect the grounds for divorce.

Economic Factors Driving Divorce

One of the most significant influences on divorce in Colorado is financial stress. As of 2024:

  • The median home price in Colorado exceeds $525,000, well above the national average.
  • Major metropolitan areas like Denver and Boulder report median housing prices of over $650,000 and $800,000, respectively.
  • Rising costs of health insurance, childcare, and student debt further burden families.

Economic pressures disproportionately affect younger couples, single-income households, and those without access to financial planning tools. These stressors often lead to disputes over budgeting, debt, and unequal financial contributions, which can push relationships toward dissolution.

The Divorce Process in Colorado

According to the Colorado Judicial Branch:

  • Over 30% of new domestic relations cases filed in Colorado courts are for dissolution of marriage or civil union.
  • A large portion of divorces are now resolved without a formal court hearing through an Affidavit for Decree Without Appearance (Form JDF 1018), a simplified option for uncontested divorces.
  • The average contested divorce case in Colorado can take 6-12 months to resolve, especially when custody, alimony, or property division is disputed.

The growth of mediation services, self-help resources, and legal aid organizations reflects a trend toward empowering couples to resolve issues collaboratively and outside the courtroom when possible.

Shifting Divorce Trends and Lifestyle Factors

While the overall rate of divorce is decreasing, the complexity of divorce cases is increasing:

  • “Gray divorce” (among individuals aged 50+) is on the rise in Colorado, often involving retirement accounts, pension division, and long-term care planning.
  • Couples cohabitating without formal marriage may still require legal separation or custody agreements when relationships end.
  • Same-sex couples, now protected under the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, have full access to divorce proceedings, but may face unique legal issues related to parental rights or jointly owned property acquired before legalization.

Although the divorce rate may appear to be declining on paper, the underlying dynamics of family life in Colorado remain in flux. Economic instability, shifting gender expectations, aging populations, and evolving legal norms all contribute to the changing face of divorce across the state.

If you're considering filing or need legal guidance, consult the Colorado Judicial Branch Divorce & Separation portal or seek a family law attorney in your county for personalized support.