Colorado · Alimony · Updated Oct 2026

Alimony in Colorado

Alimony (spousal support) in Colorado, from the state's own law: when a court can order it, amount and length, how it relates to dividing property and how to ask for it.

Quick answer

In Colorado, alimony is called maintenance. Colorado has advisory guidelines: if you were married at least 3 years and your combined adjusted gross income is $240,000 a year or less, the judge must make findings using a formula and a table for how long it lasts.

What Colorado calls it
maintenance
Property division
Equitable distribution
Law
C.R.S. 14-10-114(3).

Alimony rules in Colorado

  • Called maintenance.
  • Colorado has advisory guidelines: if you were married at least 3 years and your combined adjusted gross income is $240,000 a year or less, the judge must make findings using a formula and a table for how long it lasts.
  • The formula starts at 40% of combined monthly income minus the lower earner's income; because maintenance is no longer tax-deductible under federal law for most new divorces, that amount is then reduced to 80% (combined income up to $10,000 a month) or 75% (from $10,000 to $20,000 a month).
  • For marriages over 20 years the term can be set or indefinite.
  • The judge can depart from the guideline.

Law: C.R.S. 14-10-114(3).

Alimony and property in Colorado

Alimony is decided separately from how property and debts are divided.

System
Equitable distribution
The rule
Marital property is divided in a way the judge finds fair (not always 50/50), without considering marital misconduct. Property from before the marriage or from gifts or inheritance is separate, but any increase in its value during the marriage can be marital.

How to ask for alimony in Colorado

  1. Ask for it in your divorce papers

    Spousal support is decided in the divorce case: ask for it in your petition, or in your response if your spouse filed. Use the court's official divorce forms: Divorce forms (Colorado courts)

  2. Pay the fee or ask for a waiver

    $230 to file the petition; $116 for your spouse to file a response (C.R.S. 13-32-101(1)(a)-(b)). Can't afford it? File JDF 205, Motion to File Without Payment, and JDF 206 order (with the financial affidavit) with your petition.

  3. Agree, or let the judge decide

    If you and your spouse agree, put it in your written agreement; if not, the judge decides. Common.

  4. Get it in the final decree

    Spousal support is ordered in the decree. Get a certified copy and keep it.

Questions about alimony in Colorado

How does alimony work in Colorado?

Called maintenance. Colorado has advisory guidelines: if you were married at least 3 years and your combined adjusted gross income is $240,000 a year or less, the judge must make findings using a formula and a table for how long it lasts. The formula starts at 40% of combined monthly income minus the lower earner's income; because maintenance is no longer tax-deductible under federal law for most new divorces, that amount is then reduced to 80% (combined income up to $10,000 a month) or 75% (from $10,000 to $20,000 a month). For marriages over 20 years the term can be set or indefinite. The judge can depart from the guideline.

Is Colorado a community property state?

No. Colorado uses equitable distribution. Marital property is divided in a way the judge finds fair (not always 50/50), without considering marital misconduct. Property from before the marriage or from gifts or inheritance is separate, but any increase in its value during the marriage can be marital.

More about divorce in Colorado

Alimony in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.