Divorce is a difficult process, both emotionally and legally. By the time one or both spouses file a divorce petition in Colorado, they’ve already faced a distressing emotional process before deciding to end their marriage. Colorado divorce statistics indicate that the state has a mid-range to slightly higher divorce rate than the national average, reaching 12% in 2025.
The divorce rate in Colorado began to rise after 1972, when the state dropped its requirement for one spouse to prove the other’s fault. Like many states during the 1970s, Colorado moved to a no-fault divorce law, where spouses may only file for divorce on the basis that their marriage is irretrievably broken, without the need to prove that one spouse committed adultery, abandonment, or other wrongdoing.
Spouses between the ages of 25 and 39 are the most likely to file for divorce in Colorado, accounting for about 60% of all divorces in the state. However, “gray divorce” numbers are on the rise for spouses over age 50. The divorce rate for spouses aged 50 to 65 has doubled since the 1990s and has tripled for those over the age of 65.
The lowest risk age group for Colorado divorces is among residents aged 75 and up.
El Paso County in Colorado has the state’s highest divorce rate, likely due to the high population of military service members located in the county. Other important factors to consider in understanding Colorado divorce statistics include the following:
Despite Colorado’s higher-than-average divorce rate, divorce numbers are steadily dropping in the state, declining from 5.5 divorces per 1,000 residents in 1990 to 3.0 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2024. Colorado has a significant military presence, with multiple bases and communities, which contributes to the state’s overall divorce rate. For this reason, it’s beneficial to examine Colorado’s statistics for military divorce. Call our Denver family law firm to discuss your case with our legal professionals at Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. today.
