Elope in Colorado

With panoramic views of mountains, lakes, and valleys at your fingertips, there are seemingly no shortage of perfect places in the Centennial State to get married—especially if you’re eloping. A Colorado elopement is all about the juxtaposition of true love and natural beauty – but there’s more to an elopement than simply picking an epic location (although don’t worry, we’ve got you covered on that front, too). Between making your elopement legal to finding an elopement package that’s the perfect fit for your big day, we’ve got everything you need to help plan your elopement or small wedding in Colorado.

If you’re looking for mountain views and wildlife sightings, Rocky Mountain National Park can’t be beaten. 3M Curve, complete with panoramic mountain views, is among our favorite locations in the park, though we also love the combination of pristine waters and mountains available at Sprague Lake, Lily Lake, and Bear Lake. If you’re looking for a bit more seclusion, Hidden Valley is one of the park’s best-kept secrets. Sapphire Point Overlook, located outside the park about an hour and a half west of Denver, also offers some of the best views in the states — hemmed in by the Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges, this gorgeous wedding venue overlooks the Dillon Reservoir.

Lost Gulch Overlook and Chautauqua Park, both in Boulder, Colorado, offer beautiful views of the foothills and surrounding mountains without the long drive or 2,500+ feet in elevation gain. Boulder is a great option if you don’t want to rent a car and are fine catching an Uber or Lyft (a direct bus also runs from the city to the airport). Though both locations are popular with locals who enjoy hiking in Chautauqua or watching the sunset over the Indian Peaks Wilderness at Lost Gulch, there are plenty of spots for a more private ceremony. Sunrise Amphitheater, also in Boulder, is the ideal small outdoor wedding venue in Colorado for greeting the new day and starting a new life together.

If you’re into otherworldly landscapes and unique rock formations, Garden of the Gods might be the perfect location for you. Located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, offers towering red rocks nestled in the shadow of Pike’s Peak. Both spots guarantee unbelievable backdrops and as such, are very popular with tourists year-round (there are always quiet nooks to be found, though!). There are plenty of Colorado elopement locations that are easily accessible, while others may require hiking or backpacking. If you want a custom itinerary, with multiple locations or a long hike, we recommend our Wildflower Elopement Package.

A Colorado elopement can be incredibly affordable. Since Denver International Airport is centrally located and considered a hub for many airlines, there are always good deals on flights. If you do fly in, you will likely want to factor in renting a car, as many of the best Colorado elopement locations require a fair bit of (often very scenic) driving. If it’s winter, we recommend renting a 4WD vehicle. Simply Eloped’s Colorado elopement packages range in pricing pending what services or venues you’re considering. From our Seed Package, which offers up an officiant to perform your ceremony, to the full suite of services to accommodate your Colorado microwedding, we offer up everything you need for a perfect small wedding!

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When thinking about your Colorado elopement, envision what your day looks like. Do you see yourself with a lush bouquet, one of our trusted Colorado elopement photographers capturing each perfect moment, and an officiant who delivers an authentic, intimate ceremony? Or perhaps you’ve dreamt of a bridal look done by a professional hair and makeup artist, along with a videographer who can capture every moment for your family and friends not present: the right vendors are crucial when it comes to bringing your dream to life.

If you’re looking for the top wedding contractors in the business, you’ve come to the right place! Simply Eloped only works with the best. From officiants to elopement photographers, hair and makeup artists to musicians who will serenade your walk down the “aisle,” we’ve done all the legwork of finding quality vendors so you don’t have to. Once you choose one of our Colorado elopement packages, we’ll connect you directly with your team of vendors to ask questions and map out your dream ceremony.

Vendors can be a wealth of information when it comes to helping to plan your Colorado elopement. And, because they are local to the area, they often can help you with details you might not have considered, especially when it comes to specific locations or even things like restaurants and lodging recommendations! Our vendors have seen it all, so there are no dumb or annoying questions – remember, we’re here to make your day as stress-free as possible!

Don’t stop the money saving at the ceremony — get the most bang for your buck and explore Colorado’s breathtaking honeymoon options while you’re in the area. If you just sealed the deal with a Breckenridge elopement, you can stick around town for a historic, Victorian-village vibe, or take a 45-minute drive to the renowned ski town of Vail for some winter sports fun and ski lodge relaxation. Colorado’s ski scene offers a perfect blend of activity and relaxation, from the luxury of Aspen to the charm of Crested Butte. If you’re wrestling with which of our gorgeous elopement location suggestions to choose for your big day, save your runner-up choices for the honeymoon. Pikes Peak, the gem of Colorado Springs, is the perfect hiking destination for outdoorsy newlyweds looking for an adventure. Just a 2.5-hour day trip from Colorado Springs, you can admire and even slide down the massive sand peaks of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Colorado is known for its elevation, so you can also honeymoon among the clouds with a tour of Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the nation, the San Juan Mountain Skyway, and the true-to-its-name, romantic Loveland Pass. 

The great thing about eloping in Colorado is that it’s breathtaking during any season! June and September are the most popular months when it comes to small weddings and elopements, but sunny days are possible all year-round (one study found that Denver averages 300 days of sunshine a year). That being said, a Colorado elopement in July, August, or September definitely allows for the most location options. The aspens typically turn golden in September while wildflowers often don’t appear in the mountains until the end of July, so that’s something to take note of if you’re hoping for specific backdrops for your big day.

If you have your heart set on a blanket of snow, March and April tend to be the snowiest months in Colorado, though the snow often lingers in the mountains from October through June. Some lakes that are popular for elopements, like the breathtaking Blue Lake and the popular Sprague Lake, freeze in the winter, meaning you can even hold your ceremony directly on the ice! Many locations, however, aren’t accessible in winter months (from October through May, you can’t drive Rocky Mountain National Park’s famous Trail Ridge Road, for example). If you are planning on a winter elopement, don’t forget a coat, gloves, and proper footwear (even if you want photos taken without one)! In Colorado, you’ll never be upset about bringing extra layers or an umbrella, but you might regret it if you don’t. Many Colorado elopement locations are at higher elevations, meaning that the weather can often be unpredictable and considerably colder than major Colorado cities. Sunny 70-degree days are as possible in January as a zero-degree snowstorm is. Likewise, a single June day could contain both sun and hail. So, if you’re looking to elope in the mountains, make sure you keep an eye on the weather.

The time of day you choose for your Colorado elopement can make a world of difference. For instance, since Colorado is so sunny, midday ceremonies when the sun is directly overhead often leave folks squinting and add glare to photos. This can even be an issue in the winter, especially if there’s a lot of snow on the ground. According to our Colorado elopement photographers, the best lighting generally happens near sunset, what’s known as the “golden hour.” Golden hour generally occurs an hour prior to sunset, however, in the Colorado mountains, it’s a little bit harder to predict as listed sunset times online do not account for the sun going down behind the mountain peaks. So, in actuality, Colorado’s golden hour can occur about an hour and a half to two hours before the sun officially sets.

Sunrise ceremonies also offer great light. Our photographers actually consider this one of the better times for a Colorado elopement, since you’re more likely to have epic, sweeping views to yourself. For this same reason, we recommend eloping on a weekday, when crowds and traffic are at their lightest.

The state has an easy application process and a marriage license from any county in Colorado can be used in another. However, your license always has to be filed in the county you obtained it in. That means that if you’re staying in Denver and get your marriage license there, you can still use it for your Garden of the Gods elopement and then mail it back to Denver. Colorado marriage licenses cost $30 and are good for 35 days.

We recommend filling out an online application for the county you’ll be staying in and then showing up in person together to officially file for your license (you still have to show up in person, and reservations are required; if there are no appointments available for your dates, try a neighboring county). You’ll need to provide proof of age (driver’s license, passport, etc.), your social security number if you’re a U.S. citizen, your place of birth, as well as your parents’ names, and current addresses.

Yes! Since Colorado’s marriage license doesn’t have a waiting period, you can use it the day you receive it.

The state of Colorado does not require witnesses to solemnize a marriage, perfect for those looking to elope with no guests. That being said, there are two spots for witnesses to sign or for your dog to ink their paw print (it’s totally legal and as adorable as it sounds!).