Find Larimer County Dissolution Records
Larimer County processes dissolution of marriage cases through the Combined Court in the 8th Judicial District located at the Larimer County Justice Center in Fort Collins. The court handles all domestic relations matters including divorce, legal separation, and parental responsibility allocation for county residents. Records can be obtained by submitting an online request, contacting the clerk's office by mail or phone, or searching through third-party court record databases that provide access to Colorado case information and docket histories.
Larimer County Quick Facts
Larimer County Justice Center
The Larimer County Justice Center at 201 LaPorte Avenue in Fort Collins serves as the main courthouse for the 8th Judicial District. This combined court handles district and county court matters. District Court takes dissolution of marriage cases, felony criminal cases, and civil cases with higher dollar amounts. County Court deals with traffic offenses, misdemeanors, and smaller civil claims.
When you file for dissolution in Larimer County, you work with the District Court clerk. The state filing fee is $260 for a petition under C.R.S. § 13-32-101. If the other party files a response, that costs $146. These fees apply across Colorado and were raised in January 2025 by the legislature. If you cannot pay the fees, submit a fee waiver request. The court reviews your finances and decides if you qualify for a waiver or reduction.
You can find details about the court at coloradojudicial.gov/courts/trial-courts/larimer-county. The website lists contact information, courthouse hours, and local forms. Call the court if you have questions about filing or need help finding a case.
Staff at the Justice Center can guide you through procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain court rules and tell you what forms to use. Many courts have self-help centers or information desks to assist people who do not have lawyers.
File For Dissolution
To file a dissolution petition in Larimer County, one spouse must meet Colorado's 91-day residency rule. This requirement is in C.R.S. § 14-10-106. At least one person must have lived in Colorado for 91 days before filing. The rule makes sure the state has a real connection to the case.
Colorado law uses a no-fault standard. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not prove fault or wrongdoing by either spouse. If one party says the marriage cannot be fixed, the court accepts that and moves forward with the case. The focus shifts to dividing property, setting support, and making parenting plans if children are involved.
Filing a petition triggers an automatic temporary injunction under C.R.S. § 14-10-107. This injunction applies to both spouses and prevents them from selling property, changing insurance beneficiaries, or taking children out of state without court permission. It stays in effect until the case ends or a judge changes it. The purpose is to keep everything stable while the case is pending.
After you file, the other spouse must be served with the petition and summons. They have time to file a response if they choose. The court cannot enter a final decree until 91 days have passed since the respondent was served or filed their first document. This waiting period allows both sides to negotiate settlements. Many cases settle without a trial if the parties can agree on major issues.
Get Dissolution Records
Larimer County dissolution records are generally public unless sealed by the court. You can request records through the online form at coloradojudicial.gov/recorddocument-request-form. Enter the case type, party names, and case number if known. The clerk's office will contact you with information about fees and how to get the documents.
Email requests also work. Send your request to the court's records email. Include full names of both parties, the case number if you have it, and a description of what documents you need. Staff typically respond within three business days under normal circumstances. They will let you know what records exist and what it costs to get copies.
In-person requests are handled at the Justice Center clerk's office. Visit during business hours and ask staff to search for a case by name or case number. If you are a party to the case, bring a government-issued photo ID to access documents that might not be available to the public. Some records are restricted to parties and their attorneys.
Third-party vendors like CoCourts.com provide access to the register of actions for Larimer County cases. These databases show case activity and docket entries but do not provide copies of actual documents. For full case files or certified copies, you must contact the court directly. The vendors charge their own fees separate from court fees.
Copy Fees
Larimer County follows the statewide fee schedule for document copies. Regular copies are $0.25 per page for single-sided and $0.50 for double-sided. If you are a party to the case, you pay a maximum of $15 for copies no matter how many pages. Non-parties pay per page with no cap on total cost.
Certified copies cost $20 per document. A certified copy includes the clerk's seal and signature to verify it is a true copy of the court record. Use certified copies when you need to submit them to government agencies, banks, or other institutions that require proof of authenticity. Regular copies are sufficient if you just need the information for personal use.
Additional fees may apply for complicated requests. If the court must retrieve a file from off-site storage, you pay the actual retrieval cost. If the request takes more than one hour of staff time for research or redaction, the court charges $30 per hour in 15-minute increments. Ask the clerk for an estimate if your request seems complicated so you know what to expect.
Property And Spousal Support
Larimer County courts divide property according to C.R.S. § 14-10-113. Colorado uses equitable division, which means fair but not always equal. The court considers how long you were married, what each spouse contributed, the economic situation of each party, and other relevant factors. If one spouse stayed home with children while the other earned income, the court considers that when dividing assets.
Separate property is not divided. This includes property owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance during the marriage. Marital property includes most things acquired during the marriage. The court divides marital property based on what seems fair given the specific circumstances of your case.
Spousal maintenance may be awarded if one spouse needs financial help after the dissolution. The rules are in C.R.S. § 14-10-114. The statute includes advisory guidelines that help judges calculate the amount and length of maintenance payments. The guidelines are not mandatory but provide a starting point. The final decision depends on the income of both spouses, the length of the marriage, and the financial needs of each party.
Larimer County Cities
Larimer County includes several cities with significant populations. Residents of these cities file dissolution cases with the Larimer County District Court in Fort Collins. The following cities in Larimer County have additional information:
Nearby Counties
Larimer County borders several other counties. If you are not sure which county to file in, file where you or your spouse lives. Adjacent counties include: