LGBTQ+ Affirming Wedding Vendors in Colorado

Getting married in Colorado

Colorado is one of the few states where you can solemnize your own marriage. No officiant, no witnesses, just the two of you and a pen. It’s a big part of why so many queer couples elope here.

The couples in our stories have made the most of it. One pair hiked to Dream Lake at sunrise to sign their license, another signed theirs beside a waterfall near Aspen, and at Twin Lakes, the dogs did the honors.

The legal bit

Apply at any county clerk and recorder’s office. You don’t need to be a resident. The license costs $30, must be used within 35 days, and goes back to the county within 63 days of your ceremony. Small tip from a couple who learned the hard way: sort the paperwork early, because they left their license at home on the day.

Ceremonies in Rocky Mountain National Park

Every ceremony in the park needs a Special Use Permit, with a $300 application fee. You’ll choose from designated sites, keep it to 30 people or fewer, and get a two-hour window. Applications open a year ahead and summer and fall fill up fast, so start there if the park is your dream.

Getting there

Mountain towns like Telluride take real planning to reach. One Telluride couple swears by spreadsheets, and shoes with grip if there’s snow.