Alimony in Colorado
State-specific overview · Family Law
Colorado calls alimony "maintenance" and bases awards on statutory income caps and duration guidelines tied to marriage length.
How Colorado treats Alimony
Colorado uses the term "maintenance" rather than alimony and applies income caps (currently around $250,000 annually, adjusted yearly) to calculate support amounts. Courts follow statutory guidelines that tie the duration of maintenance to the length of the marriage—shorter marriages typically receive shorter support periods. The court may deviate from guidelines if it finds them unjust, considering factors like earning capacity, age, and standard of living during marriage.
The general definition of Alimony
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another after divorce or separation.
Alimony is money that a court requires one spouse to pay to the other after they divorce or legally separate. It's designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living they had during the marriage. The amount and duration depend on factors like how long the marriage lasted, each person's income and earning ability, and their age and health. Alimony is different from child support, which is specifically for children's needs.
Read the full Alimony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.