By Elena Hartwell · October 21, 2026
Colorado law says a court cannot enter a decree until at least 91 days after the other spouse is served. Many people read that as the length of a divorce. In practice it is only the earliest possible finish line.
Uncontested cases, where both spouses already agree on property, support and a parenting plan, usually finish in four to six months. The paperwork is predictable and the court mostly checks that the agreement is complete and fair.
Contested cases take longer because each disputed issue needs evidence. A business that must be valued, a disagreement about relocation, or missing financial records can each add months.
The single biggest factor we control is the financial disclosure stage. Clients who gather tax returns, pay stubs and account statements in the first two weeks routinely shorten their case by a month or more.
