Broomfield County Dissolution Of Marriage
Dissolution of marriage records for Broomfield County are handled by the Broomfield Combined Court, part of the 17th Judicial District, located at 17 DesCombes Drive in Broomfield. The court maintains all dissolution files and decrees for cases filed in the county. You can request records online, by mail, or in person. Staff can help you locate case files if you provide the names of both parties or the case number. Most record requests are completed within a few business days.
Broomfield County Quick Facts
Broomfield Combined Court Overview
Broomfield County is part of the 17th Judicial District, which also includes Adams County. The Broomfield Combined Court handles both county and district court matters, including dissolution of marriage cases. The courthouse is at 17 DesCombes Drive, Broomfield, CO 80020. This is where you file new dissolution cases and request copies of existing records.
The clerk's office can answer questions about filing requirements, fees, and how to obtain copies of court documents. If you need to find an old dissolution case or get a certified decree, staff can search the court's records and tell you what is available. Visit the court's main page at coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/broomfield-county for contact information, hours of operation, and any notices about closures or schedule changes. The page also has links to forms and resources for people representing themselves in dissolution cases.
Colorado law requires that one spouse be a resident of the state for at least 91 days before filing for dissolution. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, the court must find that the marriage is irretrievably broken before it can grant a dissolution. There is also a mandatory 91-day waiting period after the respondent is served or files a response. This waiting period gives both parties time to work out agreements on property, support, and parenting issues if there are children.
File Dissolution In Broomfield County
To file for dissolution in Broomfield County, go to the Broomfield Combined Court clerk's office at 17 DesCombes Drive. The filing fee is $260, which is set by Colorado statute under C.R.S. § 13-32-101 and is the same across all counties. If the other spouse files a response, that costs $146. If you cannot pay the fees, you can request a fee waiver by submitting an affidavit showing your income and expenses. The judge will review your financial information and decide if you qualify for a full or partial waiver.
When you file the petition, an automatic temporary injunction takes effect immediately. This is required by C.R.S. § 14-10-107. The injunction stops both spouses from hiding assets, selling property, or removing children from the state without court permission. It stays in place until the case is finalized or the judge modifies it. This protects both parties during the dissolution process.
After filing, you must serve the petition on the other spouse. They have time to respond to the allegations and requests. The court cannot enter a final decree until at least 91 days have passed from the date of service or the date the respondent filed a response. This waiting period is mandatory under Colorado law and cannot be waived. During this time, spouses often negotiate agreements on property division, spousal support, and parenting plans if there are kids. If both parties agree on all issues, they may be able to get a decree without appearing at a hearing by using the affidavit process.
Request Dissolution Records
Broomfield County residents can request dissolution of marriage records in several ways. The online records request form is at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. Fill in the case type, both parties' names, and the case number if you know it. The clerk will review your request and contact you with the cost and payment instructions. Most requests are processed within three business days unless there are complications.
For mail requests, write to the Broomfield Combined Court Clerk at 17 DesCombes Drive, Broomfield, CO 80020. Include the names of both spouses, the case number, and a description of the documents you need. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will mail the copies back once the request is complete. If the file is stored off-site, it may take a few extra days to retrieve it.
You can also visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's office is open during regular business hours. Bring the case details with you. Staff can look up the case in the system and tell you what records are available. If the file is on paper and not in the digital system, they will request it from storage. This can take a few days depending on where the file is kept.
Third-party services like CoCourts.com provide access to the register of actions for Broomfield County cases. The register shows case filings, hearings, and basic case information. It does not include the actual documents. To get copies of decrees, petitions, or settlement agreements, you still need to contact the court directly.
Copy Fees And Costs
Copy fees in Broomfield County follow the state schedule. Regular copies cost $0.25 per page for single-sided pages and $0.50 per page for double-sided pages. If you are a party to the case, the maximum fee is $15 no matter how many pages are in the file. Non-parties pay the per-page rate with no cap.
Certified copies cost $20 per document. A certified copy includes a seal and the clerk's signature, which is required for legal uses such as proving marital status or submitting to another court or government agency. Regular copies are sufficient if you just need the information for your own records or to review what was filed in the case.
If your file is stored off-site or requires more than one hour of staff time to locate, research, or redact information, extra fees may apply. Off-site retrieval fees are based on the actual cost to bring the file to the courthouse. Research and redaction fees are $30 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments. Ask the clerk for a cost estimate before you pay so you know the total amount you will owe.
Property Division In Broomfield Cases
When Broomfield County courts divide property in dissolution cases, they follow Colorado law under C.R.S. § 14-10-113. The court first sets apart each spouse's separate property. Separate property includes anything owned before the marriage, gifts or inheritances received by one spouse during the marriage, and property excluded by a valid prenuptial agreement. The court then divides marital property equitably, which does not always mean equally.
Marital property is everything acquired during the marriage, including income, real estate, retirement accounts, and personal belongings. Even if an asset is in only one spouse's name, it may still be marital property if it was acquired during the marriage. The court considers several factors when dividing marital property, including the contribution of each spouse to the marriage, the value of separate property each spouse has, and the economic circumstances each spouse will face after the dissolution. The goal is a fair division based on the specific facts of the case.
Spousal maintenance may be awarded if one spouse needs financial support after the dissolution. Colorado has advisory guidelines under C.R.S. § 14-10-114 that help calculate the amount and duration of maintenance based on the length of the marriage and the combined income of both spouses. Maintenance is not automatic. The court considers whether the spouse seeking support can meet reasonable needs from other sources and whether the paying spouse has the ability to pay. Spouses can agree to a different amount or term if they both consent and the court approves the agreement.
Self-Help Resources
The Colorado Judicial Branch website has self-help resources for people handling dissolution cases without a lawyer. The divorce and separation page at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/divorce-and-separation includes forms for filing a petition, responding to one, and requesting a decree without a hearing. Many Broomfield County residents use these forms and instructions to complete their own cases, especially when there are no children or major property disputes.
If you need legal advice, consider consulting a family law attorney in Broomfield County. Attorneys can explain your rights, help you prepare documents, and represent you in court if needed. Some offer free or low-cost consultations. Legal aid organizations may also assist if you meet income guidelines. Check with the Colorado Bar Association for referral services.
You can view the full list of court fees at coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/list-fees. This page shows filing fees for petitions, responses, motions to modify, and other family law filings. Knowing the fees in advance helps you plan for the costs of the case.
Cities In Broomfield County
The city of Broomfield is both a city and county. It has over 74,000 residents. Dissolution of marriage cases for Broomfield residents are filed at the Broomfield Combined Court, which is located in the city. Broomfield is unique in that it is both an incorporated city and a county, making it one of the few consolidated city-counties in Colorado.
Nearby Counties
If you need dissolution records from counties near Broomfield, check these pages:
Each county maintains its own dissolution records. You must contact the county where the case was filed to get copies. Broomfield County was created in 2001 from portions of Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld counties.
Note: For historical records before Broomfield County was established, you may need to check with the county that had jurisdiction over the area at the time.