In Colorado, informal marriages, established not through a formal ceremony and license but by mutual agreement and cohabitation as husband and wife, are legally recognized. This recognition requires parties to mutually agree they are married, cohabitate, and hold themselves out publicly as a married couple. For example, a couple living together for an extended period, filing joint taxes, and referring to each other as spouses may be considered married under Colorado law, even without a marriage license or ceremony.
This legal framework provides significant protections and rights similar to those afforded to formally married couples. These include inheritance rights, spousal benefits in legal proceedings, and access to family law processes like divorce for the division of property and assets acquired during the relationship. Historically, common-law marriage was more prevalent due to societal norms and accessibility constraints surrounding formal marriage procedures. While less common today, its continued recognition in Colorado maintains a legal avenue for couples who establish marital intent and commitment through their actions and public presentation.
