Searching for the most up-to-date statistics for divorce in Colorado? Don’t worry, you are not alone. We have spent the time to consolidate the research into one convenient place and tried to make it most relevant to people in Colorado.
Keep reading to learn information on divorce rates in Colorado and across the country:
Divorce Across the United States
According to Divorce Statistics:
- The divorce rate in America for a first marriage is 41 percent.
- The divorce rate in America for a second marriage is 60 percent.
- The divorce rate in America for a third marriage is 73 percent.
According to the last U.S. Census report in 2018, about 16 percent of people got married while the divorce rate was about 7.7 percent. Interestingly, up until COVID-19, there had been a decline in divorce. This latest statistic also disproves that 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Below you can see divorce among the United States as a whole compared to the national average:
Although there are numerous statistics out there, it can be difficult to calculate the divorce rate. This is because there is no single measurement of divorce. The first measurement of divorce is what researchers refer to as “crude divorce rates,” which evaluate the number of people who divorce, per year, per 1,000 people. The second-way research is conducted is to evaluate the number of people who divorce, per year, per 1,000 married women. However, between these two methods, researchers can come up with reliable figures for divorce.
| Description | Statistics |
| State with the lowest divorce rate | Massachusetts (2.4 per 1,000 population) |
| State with the highest divorce rate | Nevada (9.1 per 1,000 population) |
| The average age at first divorce | For Males: 30.5 yrs. For Females: 29 yrs. |
| The average age at the second divorce | For Males: 39.3 yrs. For Females: 37 yrs. |
| The average number of years people wait to remarry after their first divorce | For Males: 3.3 yrs. For Females: 3.1 yrs. |
| The average length of divorce proceedings | 1 year. |
Divorce in Colorado
In Colorado, the divorce rate was only 8.7 percent in 2018. This is likely because more couples in Colorado live with their partner but remain unmarried. According to marriage statistics, in 2019, there were 41,932 weddings in Colorado. Considering the average cost of a wedding in 2019 in Colorado was $23,775, that was nearly one billion dollars spent on the wedding alone. But, just because you do not walk down the aisle does not mean you do not have certain legal rights regarding your property. Our firm specializes in the civil remedies available to you when you are unmarried but lived together and break-up.
If you seek to divorce your partner, the good news is that the New York Times ranks Denver, Colorado, as the fourth-best city to live in after going through a divorce. This ranking considers the economy’s strength, the dating pool, and the “re-marriage risk.” The re-marriage risk considers the number of people who have been remarried at least three times. As you can see from the previous statistics, the divorce rate is significantly higher in third marriages.
Remarkably, Aspen, Colorado, ranks as one of the top divorce capitals in the country. According to 24/7 Wall Street, about 23 percent of the population is divorced. Other high divorce rates in Colorado are Salida, Grand Junction, Pueblo, Wheat Ridge, Carbondale, Englewood, Fort Lupton, and Denver.
COVID & Quarantine Effects on Divorce
During quarantine, couples have dealt with a range of issues. Everything from finding a new at-home work station to homeschooling the kiddos. The added stress and the inability to go anywhere has led to a significant increase in divorce and break-ups.
Although quarantine is credited to the higher divorce rate, many couples had underlying issues before being stuck at home with one another. Nonetheless, living in quarantine only frustrated the relationship more.
Like many firms, our firm is seeing an increase in client consultations and questions about divorce due to COVID-19.
Divorce Across Generations
There is a new trend called “grey divorce,” affecting people ages 55+. Time magazine indicates this population is divorcing at twice the rate they used to, which is impacting the statistics on the average age of divorces.
Denver, Colorado, is actually the number one city where senior divorces are most common. According to Census Bureau data from 2018, 28 percent of the residents 65 and older in Denver, Colorado, are divorced.
Interestingly enough, younger generations are shifting towards a downward trend in divorce. This is likely because these generations are waiting to get married. Many of these couples in these younger age categories wait until their careers, finances, and education are on track before marriage. Time Magazine notes the result has been a drop in divorce by 18 percent. Nevertheless, this is also because many young people are choosing to live together and remain unmarried. In Time Magazine’s research, they found in 2018, about 15 percent of people between ages 25 to 34 lived with an unmarried partner, up from 12 percent a decade earlier. The Time Magazine study also showed more Americans under 25 cohabitate with a partner (9%) than are married to one (7%). Even if you are only in cohabitation, our firm can help you with the civil process of dividing your property after your break-up.
Other Divorce Statistics
- Couples who have twins or triplets increase the risk of divorce by 17 percent.
- Over two-thirds of couples who divorce do not have any children at the time of divorce.
- Approximately 6% of American couples marry, divorce, and then remarry each other.
Jamie Paine is an associate attorney at Griffiths Law. Jamie’s practice focuses on domestic relations matters. Jamie’s background as a District Attorney helps her handle delicate matters with tactful strategfy and empathy.