Chaffee County Divorce Case Documents and Filings

Chaffee County divorce records are maintained at the District Court Clerk office in Salida. This mountain county in central Colorado handles all divorce filings through the 11th Judicial District Court. Residents of Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, and Salida file their dissolution of marriage cases here. The court maintains complete case files including petitions, decrees, and financial disclosures for divorces dating back many decades.

Chaffee County District Court Clerk Office

The District Court Clerk in Chaffee County keeps all divorce case files. This office sits in the historic courthouse in Salida. Staff handle new filings, process requests for copies, and assist the public with searches. The clerk maintains records for the entire county. This includes all divorce cases filed in Chaffee County regardless of which town the parties lived in.

The Chaffee County Combined Court serves as the main point of contact for divorce records. The court address is 142 Crestone Avenue in Salida. You can call the clerk at 719-539-2561 during business hours. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed weekends and state holidays. It is best to call ahead for complex requests. The staff can tell you what you need to bring for your specific divorce record search.

The Clerk of Court can provide copies of divorce decrees and other case documents. You will need to fill out a request form. Bring valid identification. The clerk can search by case number or by the names of the parties. Older cases may take longer to retrieve. The court stores some records off-site. Note: The clerk cannot give legal advice about your divorce case.

How to Find Chaffee County Divorce Records

You have several options for finding divorce records in Chaffee County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it. Some methods are free. Others have fees. All are available to the public under Colorado's open records laws.

The Colorado Judicial Branch offers a free online docket search at coloradojudicial.gov/dockets. This tool lets you search for divorce cases in Chaffee County by name or case number. You can see basic case information. This includes the case number, filing date, and current status. You cannot see full documents through the docket search. For copies of actual filings, you must contact the clerk directly or visit the courthouse.

To use the online docket search for Chaffee County divorce records:

• Select "11th Judicial District" from the dropdown menu
• Choose "Chaffee County" as the court location
• Enter the name of one party or the case number
• Click search to see results

In-person visits to the Salida courthouse allow you to view complete files. This is the best way to see all documents in a Chaffee County divorce case. You can read through the file at the clerk's office. You can request copies of specific pages. The clerk charges $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $20 each. Bring exact change or a check. The clerk accepts cash, check, or money order.

Note: Records less than seven years old are usually stored on-site at the courthouse.

Chaffee County Divorce Filing Requirements

Colorado law sets the rules for filing divorce in Chaffee County. You must meet these rules for the court to accept your case. The main rules cover where you live and how long you have lived there. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-106, at least one spouse must have lived in Colorado for 91 days before filing. You or your spouse must live in Chaffee County to file there.

The waiting period for divorce in Chaffee County is also 91 days. This means the court cannot enter a final decree until 91 days after the petition is filed. This gives couples time to reconcile. It also allows for proper notice to the other party. The waiting period applies even if both parties agree to the divorce. No judge can waive this requirement.

The filing fee for a divorce petition in Chaffee County is $260 as of January 2025. This fee went up from the previous rate. You must pay this fee when you file unless you qualify for a waiver. Fee waivers are available for people with low income. You must file a motion to proceed without payment. The judge reviews your financial affidavit to decide. The court may set up a payment plan instead of a full waiver.

What Chaffee County Divorce Records Include

A complete divorce case file in Chaffee County contains many documents. Each document serves a purpose in the legal process. Together they tell the full story of the divorce. The court keeps all of these papers in the official record.

The petition for dissolution of marriage starts the case. This document states that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Colorado is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing by your spouse. The petition also lists what the filing party wants. This includes requests about property, debts, children, and support. The other spouse files a response. This is called the answer.

Financial disclosures are required in all Chaffee County divorce cases. Both parties must fill out sworn financial statements. These show all income, assets, and debts. The court uses this information to divide property fairly. It also helps set child support and maintenance amounts. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-113, Colorado uses equitable distribution. This means fair but not always equal division.

The final decree of dissolution is the document that ends the marriage. This is what most people need when they request Chaffee County divorce records. The decree includes all the terms of the divorce. It covers property division, debt allocation, custody, visitation, and support. Once signed by the judge, the clerk must notify the state registrar of the divorce under C.R.S. § 14-10-120.

Chaffee County Divorce Verification from CDPHE

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps divorce verifications. These are different from the full court records held in Chaffee County. A verification confirms that a divorce took place. It shows the names of the parties and the date of the divorce. It does not include the terms of the settlement.

CDPHE divorce verifications cost $17 per copy. You can order them online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Phone orders are also available at 1-866-300-8540. You can mail a request to CDPHE Vital Records at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Include a check or money order. Allow extra time for mailed requests.

Vital records are confidential under C.R.S. § 25-2-117. You must have a direct and tangible interest to get a copy. This means you must be a party to the divorce or have a legal need. The general public cannot get certified copies. For full case details, contact the Chaffee County District Court Clerk instead of CDPHE.

Cities and Towns in Chaffee County

Chaffee County includes several communities. All residents file divorce cases at the same courthouse in Salida. The county seat serves the entire population for court matters.

Smaller unincorporated areas in Chaffee County also fall under the jurisdiction of the 11th Judicial District Court in Salida for all divorce proceedings.

Nearby Counties for Divorce Records

If you cannot find your divorce record in Chaffee County, check these neighboring counties. Your case may have been filed elsewhere depending on where you or your spouse lived at the time.