Plenty of couples fly in from Texas, Florida or the Midwest and fly home married a few days later. The law makes that easy. The hard parts are logistics: a license you pick up in person, a clerk that may be closed the day you land, thin air, and a certificate that has to get back to Colorado after you leave. For the legal steps in detail, read how to get married in Colorado and the Colorado marriage license guide.
What the law asks of a visitor
Very little. Jefferson County says applicants do not need to be Colorado residents, there is no blood test, and a license is usable the day it is issued.
- Your ID from home works. Jefferson County accepts a driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID, as long as it is not expired. Boulder County lists a current U.S. driver’s license or passport.
- The license is only good in Colorado. C.R.S. 14-2-107 says it is not valid outside the state and is void if not used within 35 days of issue.
- It is still a marriage at home. Under the federal Respect for Marriage Act, states may not deny full faith and credit to another state’s marriage records. You do not register again when you get back.
- You can marry yourselves. Colorado allows self solemnization, so you do not need to fly an officiant in. See our self solemnization guide.
Getting the license on a short trip
Both of you appear at a county clerk. Any county’s license works anywhere in Colorado, so pick the office on your route. By statute, licenses are issued only while the office is open, and several close on Fridays.
Remote options rarely help visitors. Boulder County handles licenses by Microsoft Teams video call, both of you in the same room, and mails the license by USPS. Denver offers virtual appointments too, but couples applying online must have a Colorado address to receive the license. It will not mail a license outside Colorado, and out of state couples must pick it up in person the same day; our Boulder County page explains the details, and 303-413-7770 is the number to call first.
For most fly in couples the simplest stop is Jefferson County in Golden, on the way to the mountains. It takes drop ins 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and appointments 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Thursday. Fill in the online application first.
Landing inside the 35 day window
Since you appear in person, you will pick the license up after you land, well inside 35 days. The trap is the calendar: arrive Thursday night for a Saturday ceremony and Golden is already closed. Land early on a weekday, or check the county comparison table for other hours.
Which airport to fly into
| Airport | Good for | Airlines we confirmed on the airport’s site |
|---|---|---|
| Denver International (DEN) | Everywhere, especially Estes Park, Boulder, the foothills and Summit County | DEN calls itself one of the busiest airports in the world |
| Colorado Springs (COS) | Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak region | Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest, United |
| Eagle County (EGE) | Vail, Beaver Creek | United and American flights listed the day we checked |
| Aspen (ASE) | Aspen, Maroon Bells, Snowmass | United, American |
| Gunnison (GUC) | Crested Butte | United, American |
| Montrose (MTJ) | Telluride, Ouray | Several airlines; heavier schedule in winter |
| Durango (DRO) | Durango, southern San Juans | American, United |
Mountain airports save driving but have fewer flights, so build in a buffer day.
Altitude: give yourself a day
Rocky Mountain National Park says anyone above 8,000 feet can get acute mountain sickness, even on an easy hike. Mild symptoms include headache, nausea and low energy. The park’s advice:
- Above 10,000 feet, spend at least one night at a moderate elevation before going higher.
- Do not sleep more than 1,000 feet higher than the night before.
- If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Drink water often.
- If a headache will not go away, go down. Descending is the most effective treatment.
From sea level, spend a night in Denver or Golden, or take an easy first day, before a ceremony hike. If you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions, talk to your doctor first.
Weather, roads and the rental car
Rocky Mountain National Park notes lightning is common from June through September, so summer ceremonies favor mornings; our elopement timeline builds in storm buffers. High roads close for months: the park says Trail Ridge Road is closed from about mid October to late May.
In winter storms CDOT can put the Traction Law into effect on any state highway. You then need an AWD or 4WD vehicle with mud and snow (M+S) or mountain snowflake tires and at least 3/16 inch of tread, or chains or an approved alternative traction device. The fine is $100 plus a $33 surcharge. Check the rental’s tire sidewalls before you leave the lot, and COtrip.org the morning you drive. See our winter elopement guide.
What to book first
- Region and date. Some sites need a permit months ahead; see the best places to elope in Colorado.
- Your photographer. A local knows the trailheads and the weather. Browse Colorado photographers.
- The permit or venue, for the date your photographer holds.
- Flights, car and lodging, landing on a weekday a clerk is open.
- The license, within 35 days, in practice the day you land.
A Colorado planner or one of the elopement packages can bundle the pieces, and the planning checklist keeps the order straight.
A sample four day trip
- Day one, Wednesday. Land at DEN by early afternoon, get the license in Golden, sleep in Golden or Denver.
- Day two, Thursday. Drive to the Vail valley. Easy walk, water, early night.
- Day three, Friday. Sunrise ceremony, sign and photograph the certificate, portraits, long breakfast.
- Day four, Saturday. Mail the certificate to the issuing clerk, then head to the airport.
After you get home
Return the certificate within 63 days. C.R.S. 14-2-109 sets a late fee of at least $20, plus $5 a day up to $50, judged by the postmark. Photograph both sides before you seal the envelope.
Order certified copies from the issuing county. Jefferson County charges $1.25 per certified copy, ordered by request form, with a postage paid, self addressed envelope if by mail.
Change your name at home, starting with Social Security. Jefferson County says the license must be recorded first, and Social Security needs it (original or certified copy) plus ID in your old name. SSA issues a replacement card, online in some cases or by appointment. Your home state’s driver’s license office comes next.
Common questions
Do you have to live in Colorado to get married here?
No. There is no residency requirement and no waiting period. Bring a valid photo ID from home.
Can we get our Colorado marriage license before we fly in?
Usually not. You appear at a clerk, and the remote options are built around Colorado addresses. Pick it up after you land.
Is a Colorado elopement legal in Texas or Florida?
Yes. Federal law bars states from denying full faith and credit to another state’s marriage records.
How many days should we plan for a Colorado destination wedding?
Three or four: land and get the license, adjust to the altitude, marry, then a buffer day.
Vendors and next steps
Browse photographers, officiants and planners, compare Vail wedding venues, and read the Vail and Aspen guide. Save your license window and return deadline in the free planner.
