El Paso County, Colorado Family Court Guide

El Paso County and Teller County together make up Colorado's 4th Judicial District. Divorce, legal separation, allocation of parental responsibilities (custody), child support and protection order cases for Colorado Springs are all handled here.

• Clerk's Office, Room S101: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In 2026 it closes at 3:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.
• Self-Help Center, Room S101: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to noon. WebEx appointments: 719-452-5100.
• Family Court Facilitator's Office, for general questions about family cases: 719-452-5104.

Self-Help Center staff can explain forms and steps, but they cannot give legal advice.

1. Complete JDF 1000 (Case Information Sheet) and JDF 1011 (Petition). Both are required whether you file jointly or separately.
2. If you file alone, also complete a Summons (JDF 1012). Your spouse is then served in person, or signs a Waiver of Service (JDF 1013). File the Return of Service (JDF 1014) or the waiver with the court. JDF 1099 explains how to serve your spouse.
3. File in person at the Clerk's Office (Room S101) or through Colorado Courts E-Filing. The filing fee to start the case is $260 (Colorado Judicial Branch List of Fees). If you cannot afford it, ask the court to waive it with JDF 205 and JDF 206. You currently cannot e-file with a fee waiver, so file in person or by mail.
4. The court issues its Case Management Order (FCF 400) and a notice of your initial status conference. If a party has a lawyer, the lawyer schedules the conference. The petitioner must give the other party a copy of the order. Read it closely: it sets your deadlines.
5. Exchange financial disclosures within 42 days of service, including a Sworn Financial Statement (JDF 1111), and file a Certificate of Compliance (JDF 1104).

Missing the disclosure deadline can lead to sanctions against the party who does not comply (FCF 400).

Colorado law lets courts order a parenting class (C.R.S. 14-10-123.7(2)). The 4th Judicial District makes it standard: its Case Management Order (FCF 400, revised August 2026) requires it of every parent with a child under 18.

• Who: each parent with a child under 18 in the case.
• When: within 42 days of the case being filed.
• Where: any approved provider. The 4th Judicial District website lists providers and costs.
• Proof: file a copy of your certificate with the court. Certificates are not accepted by email.
• Cost: paid by the parents, based on each parent's ability to pay (C.R.S. 14-10-123.7(3)).

It is a case management meeting. The facilitator may discuss the issues in your case, set deadlines and schedule court dates. Bring your Sworn Financial Statement. You can schedule mediation through the court's mediation office at the conference.

• It is not confidential and may be held in a group with other cases at the same time.
• Your notice gives appearance instructions and login details.
• Missing it can lead to fees or costs against you, or dismissal of your case (FCF 400).

The requirement comes from the district's mediation order (FCF 300A), issued under Colorado's dispute resolution statute (C.R.S. 13-22-311), and from the Case Management Order, which says your final orders date may be canceled or your case dismissed if you do not complete mediation.

• Mediator: any qualified private mediator, or a contract mediator through the 4th Judicial District Office of Dispute Resolution (04JDMediation@judicial.state.co.us).
• Cost through the court office: $150 per party for the two-hour session, $75 per hour per party after that, paid directly to the mediator. Low-income parties can apply for a reduced fee with JDF 211 at least 14 days before the session. This is not available if you have a lawyer, unless the lawyer is pro bono or court-appointed.
• Format: all court-office sessions are remote. Each party must attend virtually, and children may not attend or listen.
• Timing: sessions are usually set four to five weeks out. Cancelling with less than seven days' notice can cost up to two hours.
• Waiver: the court can waive mediation because of domestic violence or another case-specific reason. A party unwilling to mediate because of physical or psychological abuse by the other party can ask for a waiver by filing a motion.
• Proof: within five business days after the session, the mediator completes a Certificate of Mediation/ADR Compliance (JDF 1337), and the Mediation Office processes it.

If you reach a full agreement on all issues and file the signed agreement at least seven days before mediation, you can cancel without charge if both parties notify the Mediation Office and it confirms the cancellation. If a lawyer represents either party, the lawyer must agree to the cancellation.

In El Paso County, most early deadlines fall within about six weeks: the parenting class (if you have children under 18) and the initial status conference within 42 days of filing, and disclosures within 42 days of service. Contested cases then add mediation, usually booked four to five weeks ahead, before any hearing.