Your Ultimate Colorado Elopement Guide 

Want to plan a Colorado elopement? You couldn’t have picked a more magical or diverse location to celebrate! 

As a Colorado elopement and wedding photographer, I know there’s a lot of information out there about eloping in Colorado. I wanted to create this comprehensive guide so you can have the essential information you need all in one place and be able to refer to it when you need it. 

Let’s dive into the guide. 

A couple walking through a field of wildflowers the woman is wearing a white dress and holding a bouquet of flowers and looking back at her partner who is wearing a black button up and slacks with a tie

Why Elope in Colorado 

Here are my top reasons you should choose Colorado for your elopement: 

  • It’s a self-solemnizing state. An officiant and witnesses are not required so it can just be you and your photographer if you want. 
  • In most* counties your pet can sign your marriage license as a witness
  • Beautiful locations year-round
  • Epic and accessible views. Colorado has many gorgeous places including several that don’t require a ton of physical strain to access. 
  • A ton of different activity options for your elopement day
A couple hugging each other the man is kissing the side of the head of the woman and both are looking off to the side the man is also holding a small bouquet of flowers in his hand
A couple looking at each other and holding hands and behind them is a large lake the woman is wearing a white wedding dress and the man is wearing a black button up, a tie, and slacks

Where to Elope in Colorado

There are many amazing locations you can choose to elope in Colorado – there’s no “right” or “wrong” place to elope here. With that being said, here are a few of my personal elopement location recommendations for the unmatched views they offer you and their affordability: 

Sunrise Amphitheater

Sunrise Amphitheater has intimate mountain wedding vibes and views of Downtown Boulder. It’s a magical spot for either a sunrise or sunset ceremony. The venue is located around 25 minutes away from downtown Boulder, at the east end of the Flagstaff summit area. 

I also love this venue because it’s a short drive to so many great spots for wedding portraits, including Lost Gulch Overlook, Chautauqua Park, and even Downtown Boulder.

For more info on Sunrise Amphitheater, be sure to check out the in-depth guide I wrote here. 

Estes Park  

Nestled in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Estes Park is rife with opportunities for nature-loving souls. This is a perfect, intimate elopement spot for you if you want to bring Colorado’s natural beauty into your love story. 

Estes Park has pristine lakes, scenic views, cliffs, and so much more to offer. The downtown area is also filled with local shops and charm, so even if you don’t want to spend your whole elopement hiking in the mountains, there is still plenty to see! 

Rocky Mountain National Park 

Rocky Mountain National Park is another incredible spot to plan your elopement. This park has alpine vistas, gorgeous waterfalls, meadows, and serene alpine lakes all surrounded by panoramic mountain views. 

This is a very popular location and ceremony permits go quickly so if you do decide you want to elope here you’ll want to plan ahead. My advice? Look into a weekday permit so you can have more privacy during your ceremony. To learn more about eloping in Rocky Mountain National Park go here. 

A couple hugging each other on top of rocks and behind them are moutnains and pine trees the woman is wearing a white wedding dress and fur jacket and the man is wearing a suit

Maroon Bells Amphitheater 

It’s so easy to fall in love with Maroon Bells – here, you’ll find lakes, mountain views, aspen groves, and more. The Amphitheater comes with a gorgeous view that overlooks a meadow as well as views of Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells.

If you want to elope here, you’ll need to make a reservation well in advance, as this is a very popular location. It’s also very affordable. It costs $200 per day to use the Amphitheater, and you can find more information here. 

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a unique backdrop of desert and mountains. This spot sits at the base of the Sangre De Cristo mountains. A permit to elope here costs $200, and it’s a great spot for a more wild and secluded elopement experience. 

If you’re up for a bit of a walk through the sand, you can also find really intimate spots here. Most people will tend to stay right at the front of the dunes so giving yourself a bit of time to get further back will make all of the difference. 

One important thing to keep in mind here is that there’s basically zero shade at this park. You’ll find some around the parking areas, but once you are out on the dunes, you will be right in the sun. 

Be sure to plan for that and bring lots of water! I’d also recommend either an early morning or sunset elopement here if you are getting married in the summer. We all know how hot it can get in Colorado sometimes and the dunes are no different! 

A couple standing on top of rocks and behind them are pine trees and mountains the man is hugging his partner from behind and the man is wearing glasses and a suit and the woman is wearing a white wedding dress and a fur jacket
A couple standing on top of rocks looking at each other and holding hands behind them are mountains and pine trees the woman is wearing a white wedding dress the man is wearing a suit

Pros/Cons of Eloping During Each Season

Each season in Colorado has something different to offer you, whether it’s being surrounded by colorful aspen groves in the fall or wildflowers in the spring. Here are the pros and cons of each season: 

Fall 

Fall in Colorado is the time to witness the aspens turning yellow, snow-capped mountain peaks, and beautiful weather. The cons of eloping here in the fall are that there are a lot of tourists and lots of people at this time of year who want to plan a fall elopement or wedding. 

Winter 

Winter in Colorado brings snow, cozy vibes, and thrilling winter activities you can include as part of your elopement (think skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling). The cons of eloping here in winter are that it’s pretty cold, you’ll encounter less sunlight and shorter days, and also you’ll need to be wary of the snow and ice.

Spring 

Spring is when you’ll see the wildflowers blooming, and the mountain passes will start opening again. However, this season is also known as mud season because of all the melting snow, and the weather can be unpredictable. 

Summer 

A summer elopement is when everything will be in full bloom. You’ll encounter warm weather and have an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from that you and your partner can enjoy. The cons of eloping in Colorado in the summer are that it can get quite hot, and this is one of the most popular seasons for elopements. 

A couple kneeling down together and holding onto their dog the couple is looking at each other and smiling the woman is wearing a white wedding dress the man is wearing a black button up, a tie, and slacks

How to Legally Get Married in Colorado

The great news for you is that Colorado is one of the easiest places to get married and you can self-solemnize here. Here’s what you need to do to get legally married in Colorado: 

You’ll need to start by making an appointment at a County Clerk’s office in Colorado. Once you have your appointment set you’ll need to go with your partner and you’ll both need to bring a photo ID with you. 

At the County Clerk’s office, you will fill out some paperwork before you are given your license. Then you’ll need to pay the fee and you can be on your way. There’s a $30 fee required to file.

After you have your license, you will need to sign and complete it. This can be done with your officiant or by you and your partner. Your license must be signed and returned within 35 days of receiving it. 

Once your license is signed, you’ll need to return it to the same place you received it. 

You don’t need to have witnesses at your ceremony; however, on the marriage license you’ll receive, there’s a spot for two witnesses to sign. Also, a fun fact about Colorado: You can actually have your dog be your witness. If you want your dog to sign your marriage license, bring an ink pad with you to your ceremony so they can put their paw on the license as their signature. 

To learn more about getting your marriage license in Colorado, make your appointment, or learn what documents you need to bring with you, go here. 

Also, if you want to self-solemnize, it requires certain rules and obligations. You will be responsible for obtaining your marriage license, filling it out, signing it, and returning it to the County Clerk’s office. 

A couple on top of rocks the man is spinning his partner and they are both holding one hand up in the air the woman is wearing a white wedding dress the man is wearing a suit and behind them are mountains and pine trees

Activities to Do During Your Colorado Elopement

  • Drive to a cool location, like the Royale Gorge, and go ziplining over the gorge
  • Try out a half-day white water rafting adventure
  • Drive to a scenic overlook such as Forest Canyon Overlook or Garden of the Gods Overlook 
  • Ski or snowboard together at a resort 
  • Rent ATVs or a Jeep 
  • Soak in the natural hot springs – for a list of 30 Colorado hot springs you could visit go here 
  • Go horseback riding 
  • Stargaze in a remote area with no light pollution 

What to Wear for a Colorado Elopement

Outside of your wedding attire, there are a few other things you might want to consider wearing for your elopement. Some of the items I’ve listed depend on the time of year that you choose to elope. 

Here are some suggestions for what to bring with you to your elopement: 

  • If it’s going to be cold layers are going to be your BFF. This means bringing with you extra socks, an extra jacket, leggings, etc. 
  • If you need to hike to your elopement spot, you’ll want to bring a pair of hiking shoes or boots. Choose anything that’s waterproof and will keep your feet warm and dry. 
  • Bring an extra change of clothes, whether it’s warm or cold. You’ll want cozy, comfortable clothes to change into. 
  • Accessories—If you want to make your look even more unique, consider bringing along different accessories, such as a shawl or scarf. 
A couple holding hands and looking at each other in front of a lake the woman is wearing a white wedding dress and smiling and her partner is smiling and wearing a black button up and slacks
A couple holding each other's arms and smiling the woman is wearing a white wedding dress the man is wearing a black button up and a tie and slacks

What Is the Cost of Eloping in Colorado?

If you’re wondering how much it costs to elope in Colorado the true answer is that it really depends (I know, not that helpful). 

The cost of your elopement will vary significantly depending on what vendors you want to include at your elopement, what activities you want to include, accommodations, legal and processing fees, etc. This list I’ve made for you doesn’t include travel costs, transportation, or accommodations, as the costs for those will again fluctuate. 

For your elopement, here are some different things you’ll want to consider having when making your budget and an estimated cost breakdown for a Colorado elopement: 

Vendors 

Photographer 

A photographer in Colorado could cost you anywhere from $600 – $6200

Videographer 

A videographer could cost you anywhere from $2000 – $5000

Officiant 

An officiant could cost you anywhere from $0-$500

Florist 

A florist could cost you anywhere from $150-$400

Hair/makeup stylist 

A hair/makeup stylist could cost you on average $250-$500

Location 

Your elopement location can be very affordable or not cost you a penny. If you are eloping at a national park, you’ll need to pay for a permit. For instance, if you elope at Rocky Mountain National Park, you’ll need to pay $300 for a wedding permit. 

Also, if you want to have dinner afterward or a party, the cost will vary depending on how many guests you have and the venue you choose to use. 

Your Marriage License 

Your marriage license in Colorado will cost $30

A couple walking through a field holding hands and looking at each other behind them are mountains the man is wearing a suit and smiling at his partner the woman is holding a bouquet of flowrs and wearing a white wedding dress and a fur jacket

Colorado Elopement Planning Checklist

To get everything ready for your elopement, I’ve created a checklist of things you absolutely need. My suggestion is to be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back to the blog post as needed! 

  1. Set an elopement budget 
  2. Decide on your elopement date 
  3. Write down some potential locations 
  4. Find an elopement photographer  
  5. Decide how many guests you’re going to invite 
  6. Book your lodging/accommodations / etc 
  7. Book your other vendors 
  8. Research marriage license and permits 
  9. Start getting your wedding attire 
  10. Organize your ceremony and reception (if you’re going to be having a reception) 
  11. Figure out additional activities you want to do 
  12. Create an elopement timeline 

If we work together, I will provide you with a planning guide for your elopement. I also use questionnaires and in-depth chats to help you figure out and bring to life exactly what you want. 

I’m here to help you with location planning, permit info, and vendor recommendations so planning your elopement feels much less overwhelming, and you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything! 

A couple in a field of wildflowers the woman is kissing her partner's hand that is clasped in hers and holding a small bouquet of flowers and she is wearing a white wedding dress her partner is wearing a black button up, a tie, and slacks and he is smiling at her

Ready to Plan Your Colorado Elopement?

I know that was a lot of information but I hope you found this Colorado elopement guide helpful! 

And… if you’re still looking for the perfect photographer for your Colorado elopement I’d love to talk. You can learn more about my elopement services here or contact me here.


Read these next: 

Your Guide to a Sunrise Amphitheater Wedding in Boulder 

Your New Favorite Wedding Venue in Steamboat Springs: Thunderhead Lodge

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