Colorado is a hella easy state to get married in
The thing couples ask me about the most is the marriage license, because it feels like this overwhelming government document that you have to get right. But the rules around how you get married here are so easy that really the only thing you need to know is how to get your license, and that's generally the same for every county.
What surprises people most is that you don't need an officiant, you don't need an ordained person, and you don't need witnesses. You can have two strangers hiking by on the trail sign your marriage license if you want, but you don't have to have anyone sign it. The rest of this page is the stuff around it: permits, when the roads open, what to do if it rains, how many people you can bring, and why it's snowing in June.
COLORADO ELOPEMENT GUIDE
How to Elope in Colorado
Locations, permits & reservations, and everything else you need to know to elope in Colorado.
When to Elope in Colorado
When couples hop on a call with me, the first thing they usually ask is "okay wait, what do we need to figure out first?" And the answer is that it all kinda depends on each other. The scenery you want (wildflowers, snow, fall colors), the general area (the San Juans, Crested Butte, Denver and the Front Range), and the date. If wildflowers are the thing, that means July, and July means Crested Butte or the San Juans. Pick the one you care about most and the other two fall into place.
If your photographer knows the area, this is what they're there for (it's what you're paying them for). If they don't, start with the scenery and work backwards.
Spring
April to mid JuneThe foothills around Denver get wildflowers before anywhere else, so if you want spring and you want flowers, stay low. Up high, April and May are mud season.
The most common thing I run into is couples who want a specific spot in the San Juans or around Crested Butte in April. Most of the good spots in those towns are up old 4x4 mining roads that don't open until late June or July, depending on how much snow we got that winter, so an April date up there isn't a gamble, it's just unfortunately not going to happen.
Summer
Late June to mid SeptemberEvery road is open, the days are long, and wildflower season peaks late June through mid July. How good the wildflowers are depends on the winter before though. In 2026 we had a really dry winter and a pretty dry spring, so they were not nearly as insane as they usually are.
The other thing to think about is afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. They move fast, and above treeline they're dangerous, so we do vows in the morning and leave the afternoon loose. I build that into your timeline.
Fall
Mid September to early OctoberFall colors last about 2 to 3 weeks and the window moves every year. One year fall lasted about a week on the Front Range. The leaves turned, we had insane wind for a week straight, and then they were all gone. The 2pm storms mostly go away in the fall, but sometimes snow shows up instead. I've seen it snow the third week of September more than once.
Personally, I think late September is the sweet spot. September 21st is my secret perfect fall date and I would put money on it.
Winter
November to MarchWinter is really underrated. Everyone is at the ski resorts, so the places we go are empty. The exception is I-70 itself, which is an actual nightmare on weekends and after a big powder dump, so we just plan around that.
If you're not from here: Denver in winter is mostly sunny, and whatever snow falls is usually gone in a few hours. For reliable snow you need elevation, so Breckenridge, Winter Park, or Rocky Mountain National Park. Most unpaved roads close for the season. RMNP stays open year round, and in some mountain towns snowmobile access gets you to spots that would otherwise be a 10 mile hike.
Full guide to a winter elopement and how to stay warm during a winter elopement.
Kimberly is so creative, passionate, professional, and I truly couldn't recommend anyone better for a 5am elopement!
Jolie
Where to Elope in Colorado
Narrowing down a general area is usually the hardest part, because there are a lot of really cool places to choose from and they all have something the others don't. I don't usually steer couples away from a place they bring up unless it isn't practical or doesn't exist (wildflowers in Crested Butte in September, or Breckenridge in March with no snow), so if you already have a spot in mind, start there. If you don't, here's how I'd describe the main ones.
The full list of the best places to elope in Colorado
Crested Butte
The Wildflower Capital of ColoradoThe cute little mountain town with incredibly easy 4x4 roads. You don't need any experience, they're mostly super easy, and nothing really compares to it for wildflowers in July. How good they are depends on the winter, and after a wet one the meadows are so thick you can't see the trail. The other time to go is late September, when the aspens on Kebler Pass turn and the whole valley goes yellow. Either way, you'll end up at Secret Stash for pizza after.
- Airport
- Gunnison, 30 minutes. Or Denver, 4.5 hours
- Best time
- July for wildflowers, late September for aspens
- Permits
- usually not required for small groups.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Iconic Colorado, easy year round accessThe one everybody already knows. The catch is the permit. Vows, letters, or anything that looks like a ceremony can only happen at the park's designated ceremony spots, which need a $300 permit and go fast. Photos are free pretty much anywhere in the park, so what I tell a lot of my couples is to say their vows outside the park and go in for photos after. I know it sounds confusing, but I'll walk you through it.
- From Denver
- 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Year round
- Permits
- $300 for a ceremony at a designated spot, none for photos. Apply 3 to 12 months out.
The San Juan Mountains
Alpine drama, above the crowdsIf you want jagged peaks and to be on top of a mountain without having to hike, you want the San Juans. It's incredibly mountainous down there, with alpine lakes, wildflowers, and old mining towns like Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, and Lake City to stay in. The 4x4 roads are how you get up high, and some of them are pretty dangerous with real drop offs, so it's worth thinking about what you're comfortable driving.
- Airport
- Durango or Montrose, 1 to 2 hours. Or Denver, 6 hours
- Best time
- July through September
- Permits
- Mostly BLM and Forest land, usually not required
Buena Vista
Mountains and water in the same dayMost people don't come to Colorado for Buena Vista. BV is the town locals vacation to, because there's so much to do. The Arkansas River runs right through town if you're into rafting or anything on the water, the hot springs are 30 minutes out, and the mountains west of town have more fourteeners (14,000 foot peaks) than any other range in Colorado.
- From Denver
- 2.5 hours
- Best time
- May through October
- Permits
- Not needed on Forest land for small groups
Breckenridge
Winter mountain town, four seasons deepA great spot any time of year, but especially in winter, because so much of it is still accessible and there's a lot you can still do. It's also only an hour and a half from Denver, so you're not driving 6 hours through the mountains in a season where there could be a blizzard and the passes close.
- From Denver
- 1.5 hours
- Best time
- December to March for snow, July for wildflowers
- Permits
- Some spots require them, most Forest land does not
The Colorado Foothills
Close to Denver, not a compromiseBoulder, Golden, Evergreen, and everything west of town. Denver is great if you want to stay close to the airport or be near a big city with a lot of food options, or if you have a bunch of people flying in and you don't want them flying into a smaller airport or doing a long drive through the mountains.
- From Denver
- 30 minutes
- Best time
- Year round
- Permits
- Varies, more permitting than Forest land
Kimberly helped us find the most beautiful ceremony location and knows the mountains like the back of her hand!
Katherine
The spots that aren't on every guide.
There are so many places that aren't on every Colorado elopement location guide, and honestly they're more stunning because of that. The people who know about them are actual locals, and those are the spots that end up on the custom Google Map I build for every couple I work with.
Permits and Your Colorado Marriage License
People stress out about permits way more than they need to. Permits are actually pretty easy peasy out here. The hardest part is figuring out what the rules are, because government sites aren't updated, or you call one person and they say one thing and then you talk to a different person from the same office and they say another. So I always recommend getting it in writing through email, no matter what.
The one thing that is hard is specific places. If you want Rocky Mountain National Park or Maroon Bells, the permits just sell out fast. It's not a crazy process, there's just a limited number of them, so getting one for a specific date is tough if you're not flexible.
Permits, by land type
National Parks
RMNP, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon, and Mesa Verde all require a Special Use Permit for a ceremony, no matter how small. You apply through the park itself and fees vary. Great Sand Dunes is $200 and non refundable, and they only book 2 ceremonies a day. Some parks assign you a site, some give you room. Apply early, especially RMNP, where prime dates go months out. Start with the RMNP wedding permit page.
National Forest and BLM
Generally no permit unless you're bringing decor or a large group. If you do need one, it comes from the Ranger District for that area. Call them, then ask for the answer by email.
State Parks
Usually require a permit and often have designated ceremony areas. Contact the specific park.
Permits are part of what I handle once you book, so you don't have to figure this out alone.
Getting your marriage license
- Where
- You can pick up your marriage license at any Colorado County Clerk and Recorder's office, and most couples have a really good experience with them. It does not have to be the county you're getting married in, which matters if you're eloping somewhere remote. You can grab it in Denver before you drive 4 hours southwest. You do have to return it to the county that issued it though, so no picking it up in Denver and dropping it off in Ouray.
- What to bring
- Make an appointment, have both of you in person, and bring a valid government issued ID or passport for each of you. You don't have to be a Colorado resident. If either of you has been divorced, bring the date and location of the dissolution.
- What it costs
- $30, cash or card. Call ahead or check the county site to confirm which one they take.
- Valid for
- 35 days from the day you receive it.
- After
- You have 63 days to return the signed license, counted from the day it was issued and not from your wedding day. Plan backward from that if you're picking it up early.
Find your county
Use the map below, or Google the city plus "county clerk and recorder Colorado". Most counties require appointments now and some book out fast, so don't wait until the day before. Some only offer them on specific days, at specific times.
County quirks worth knowing
Your dog can be your witness
Yes, reallyYou don't need witnesses in Colorado, but if you want one, a paw print on the license is legally valid in most counties. Denver, El Paso, and Arapahoe don't accept it, so confirm with your county before you get the ink out.
Broomfield does rainbow licenses
In case you want the coolest looking marriage license in existence. Same $30, same process, just prettier. Worth the drive if you're already close.
Boulder is Zoom only
Boulder does their appointments over Zoom and then ships you the license, and they'll only mail it to a Colorado address. So if you're coming from out of state you're kind of SOL. Sometimes they'll let you come in and pick it up at the office, but it's something you have to ask about ahead of time.
Denver books up fast
If you can't get in, try Jefferson or Broomfield. More availability, still close. Most counties release new appointments about 6 days out, so set a calendar alarm for the release date if you're picky about the time.
Kimberly was amazing. She made sure to capture our special day and didn't rush us at all. She had great ideas and also loved any we had. I would definitely recommend her to anyone!
Kacie
Just the Two of You, or Your People Too
When couples tell me they want guests, locations are the first thing that changes. How do we get everyone there, how do we make sure it's somewhere they're going to be comfortable and prepared, and how do we make sure you don't need a permit, or if you do, that you have the right one. Locations just get a little more involved.
Just the two of you.
No one to coordinate, no one to wait on, and you can go pretty much anywhere.
Up to 15 people.
A handful of people who love you, don't mind last-minute changes, and won't complain about the altitude. Under 10 and it still feels intimate. This is what I did.
More than 15.
Then we generally need a place with a reservation or permit, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Maroon Bells, or Sapphire Point, or a venue or rental.
Splitting the day
Private vows first, everyone else afterA lot of my couples do private vows at sunrise, just the two of them, and then a ceremony with their people later in the day. That's not set in stone though, it's just how a lot of them do it. You can have the ceremony with your people first and do private vows after. You can do the ceremony one day and private vows the next. And it doesn't have to be a ceremony at all. It can be more of a reception type situation where everyone is just hanging out, or you all go watch the sunset together.
There's no "this is how you do it." What sounds good to you? If you want time to actually hang out with everyone who came, either do something chill, or have the ceremony but leave real time afterward to spend with them.
- Morning
- Just the two of you, wherever we can get to before the light comes up
- Evening
- A short ceremony somewhere your people can actually get to, then dinner
How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Colorado?
People don't really ask me how much eloping costs. They ask what else is going to cost. It's $30 for a marriage license, and then everything else is as you decide.
Where you stay and what you eat are the big ones, and some towns cost more than others. Aspen and Telluride are, in my opinion, the most expensive towns to get married in if you're staying and eating in town. Vendors add up too. Hair and makeup is generally more expensive in the mountains, especially if you're having someone come out from Denver instead of hiring local, and same with flowers.
After that it's whatever you want to do on the day, which can be nothing (a picnic and a nap is a full day) or renting a Jeep or a rafting trip or a paid hot spring. It's just like any other vacation. You can make it as cheap or as expensive as you want.
What's included with me
Booking me means you're not also hiring a planner. Location scouting, permits, your timeline, and the weather calls. All of it comes with.
What the Day Actually Looks Like
The ceremony is 5 to 20 minutes. The rest of the day is yours.
Pick your time of day first, because it decides what the photos look like more than anything else. Sunrise means you beat the storms and the crowds. Golden hour means you've had the whole day in the mountains. Midday is harsh light, building weather, and tourists.
Then give yourself more time than feels necessary for the drive, the wandering.
I build real timelines for every couple, based on actual sun data for your date and location, with buffer for what Colorado does. This one's a sunrise, which is my favorite but not the only way to do it.
A real timeline at Brainard Lake
-
4:45 AMGetting ready
Slow morning under the stars. Coffee, details, final touches.
-
5:15 AMHeadlamp walk
To the bridge for a first look while the mountains wake up.
-
5:45 AMCeremony
At Long Lake, first light on the peaks, alpenglow on the water.
-
6:15 AMShoreline wandering
Photos and all the in-between stuff.
-
7:30 AMPicnic at Brainard Lake with guests
Champagne, a first dance, hugs, everyone together.
-
9:45 AMBack to the Airbnb
Brunch, cake, naps.
-
12:45 PMDone
Just a whole lot of “did we really do that?”
She made us feel at ease and seamlessly blended herself into the backdrop all while capturing every special moment.
Meagan
Rather split your coverage into a sunrise block and a sunset block? Here's what to do between photo sessions on your elopement day.
How to Write Your Elopement Vows
The most intimidating part of the whole thing.
What I'd do: start now, months out, in your notes app. The weird inside joke. The specific thing your partner does that you complain about constantly and would miss immediately. The embarrassing memory from the trip where everything went sideways. Write them down as they hit you, and by the time you sit down to actually write, you're editing instead of staring at a blank page.
The only real rule is that they should sound like you talking. Not like what you think vows are supposed to sound like.
How to actually write your vows without it feeling like homework
A true story
Mine had a fart joke in them. It was the realest thing he could have said. Our families weren't there to hear it, and that was entirely the point for us.
What to Pack for a Colorado Elopement
Depending on elevation you can hit every season in one day out here. 85 in Denver, 40 on a ridge above treeline. This is the list I send every couple.
The practical stuff
- Marriage license and a pen
- Rings
- Vows written on something. Paper, a card, a journal. Nobody has ever looked back at their wedding photos and been glad about the iPhone in their hand
- A real backpack if there's any walking involved
- Downloaded maps and a downloaded playlist. Cell service disappears fast out here
- Portable charger. Phones die fast in cold and at altitude
- Headlamps for both of you if we're starting before sunrise
- A full tank. Long stretches between stations out west
- Cash. Some mountain towns have limited ATMs and cash-only spots
- Wet wipes for after a dusty 4WD road
What you're wearing
- A jacket you don't mind being photographed in
- Gloves and a hat, any time of year
- Hand warmers
- Rain jacket
- Packable puffy or a blanket to throw on between shots
- Sturdy shoes for uneven ground
- Hiking boots if we're going anywhere off pavement
- Microspikes in winter or early spring
Food, water, and staying functional
- Snacks, more than you think
- Real food, not just snacks
- Water, more than you think
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Bug spray in summer
- Chapstick, because you will hate your life without it
- Advil and any medication, especially if you're bad at drinking water. Dehydration hits harder up high
- Small first aid kit if we're going off trail
If your dog is coming
- A leash and collar you like being photographed
- Food, water, poop bags
- Treats. I am going to need them to look at the camera at some point and cheese is extremely persuasive
- A friend to take them once we head somewhere they cannot go
The one I repeat the most
Bring a jacket you feel good in. Not the emergency jacket from your trunk, an actual jacket you'd wear on purpose. Above treeline it's cold enough that you'll have it on for most of the day, which means it's in most of the photos.
The Questions Everyone Actually Has
Do we need an officiant in Colorado?
No. Colorado allows self-solemnization, so no third party is required.
Do we need witnesses?
Not legally. You can have someone sign if you want. Loved ones, strangers, your dog, your photographer.
What's the best time of year to elope in Colorado?
July for wildflowers. Late September for aspens. Summer has afternoon thunderstorms, so plan a morning ceremony. Fall weather is more predictable. Winter is beautiful with limited access. Spring is mud season up high, so unless you're staying near Denver, wait for June.
Can you elope in Colorado without hiking?
Yes. Drive up alpine lakes, 4WD roads above treeline, short flat walks to lake viewpoints, mountain pass pull-offs with absurd views.
Can we elope on a weekday?
Yes, and you probably should. Same mountains, a fraction of the people. Tuesday through Thursday are the quietest almost everywhere.
What do we wear?
Whatever you want, but think about terrain first. I've shot couples in full formalwear at 13,000 feet and couples in flannel and boots in a wildflower field. Both were perfect.
What if it rains?
Colorado rain is usually 20 dramatic minutes followed by the best light you've ever seen. We work with it. I've never had a bad rainy elopement and the moody ones are often my favorites.
Can our dog come?
Depends on the location, but usually a hard yes. Strongly encouraged. They can also sign your marriage license. How to include your pets in your elopement.
How far in advance should we plan?
For RMNP and other permit-heavy spots, six months minimum for peak season. Forest and BLM land gives you far more flexibility. If you're feeling spontaneous, reach out anyway. I once helped a couple elope in under a week.
Do we need a permit?
Depends where. Forest or BLM land, usually no for a small ceremony. National Parks, yes, always, apply early. When in doubt, ask. This is one of the things I handle.
Still have one? Ask me directly
Witnesses, always available on request from your local shelter.
Hi, I'm Kimberly
Most couples I talk to aren't worried about the photos. They're worried about picking the wrong month or the wrong spot, or finding out at 7am that the road closed last week.
So ask me about a date and I'll tell you what's actually happening then: mud season, wildflower peak, when the aspens turn and when the road to see them closes, which weekends every trailhead in the state is full. That stuff decides your day way more than picking a pretty spot does.
Ready to Plan Your Colorado Elopement?
Everything on this page is here so your day can happen without you carrying all of it. I handle the locations, the permits, the timeline, and the backup plans. You show up and say your vows.
Tell me whatever you've got. Scenery, timing, who's coming, or "no idea what I'm doing or what I want lol." All of those work. Full pricing will be in your inbox within 48 hours.
