How to Elope in Colorado – A Planning Guide for Intentional Mountain Elopements

Eloping in Colorado is not about running away from a big wedding. It is about running toward something that feels more honest to you.

Maybe that means standing on a mountain pass at sunrise with just the two of you. Maybe it is a small circle of your closest people by a lake. Maybe it is a full day that feels like the best parts of a trip together instead of a performance for everyone else.

Colorado holds space for all of that. Wild peaks, quiet valleys, alpine lakes, red rock canyons, and a legal system that actually makes eloping simple.

This guide will walk you through how to elope in Colorado in a way that feels grounded, intentional, and beautifully documented.

Step 1 – Decide What Eloping Means To You

Before you pick a location or date, ask yourselves:

  • Do we want it to be just us, or a few guests too
  • Do we want our day to feel calm and slow, or adventurous and high energy
  • Does “eloping” mean a quick ceremony, or a full all day experience

There is no right answer. The more honest you are here, the easier every other decision becomes.

If you are still weighing elopement vs traditional wedding, you might find it helpful to explore some of my Colorado venue guides to see the range of options:

Step 2 – Choose Your Colorado Landscape

Colorado is not just “mountains.” It is a whole collection of worlds in one state. Start by picking the kind of landscape that feels like you.

Mountains And High Alpine Views

Perfect if you want:

  • big, sweeping views
  • cooler air and dramatic skies
  • a sense of being very small in a very big place

Think areas like Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride, and the high passes. For more mountain inspiration, you can explore:

Lakes, Forests, And Valleys

If you want something a little softer:

  • alpine lakes with reflections
  • tall pines and quiet trails
  • meadows that feel open and calm

Rocky Mountain National Park and the Estes Park area are incredible for this kind of feel:

State Parks And Accessible Wild Spaces

Colorado State Parks are often less crowded than national parks and more flexible for small ceremonies. They are a great option if you want something scenic but also a bit more relaxed and accessible for guests.

Step 3 – Pick Your Season And Time Of Day

Colorado can feel like four different states depending on the season. When you elope will shape everything.

Spring

  • Unpredictable snow, mud, and melt
  • Lower crowds, changing conditions
  • Great if you are flexible and okay with moody weather

Summer

  • High alpine roads and passes open
  • Wildflowers and long days
  • Popular season, so sunrise and weekdays work best for privacy

Fall

  • Golden aspens, crisp air, and soft light
  • Shorter days, more dramatic sunsets
  • A favorite season for elopements for a reason

Winter

  • Snow, wind, and quiet landscapes
  • Some roads and passes closed
  • Beautiful if you love the idea of snow, layers, and cozy vibes

No matter the season, sunrise and sunset sessions almost always feel better. The light is softer, the world is quieter, and your nervous system has more space to breathe.

Step 4 – Understand Colorado Elopement Legalities

Colorado is one of the most elopement friendly states in the country.

Marriage License Basics

  • You apply for your marriage license at a county clerk’s office in Colorado
  • Both of you bring valid ID
  • There is no long waiting period in most counties
  • You can usually use the license anywhere in the state

Always double check the most current details with the county where you plan to get your license.

Self Solemnization

One of the most unique parts of eloping in Colorado is that you can legally marry yourselves. You do not need:

  • an officiant
  • a witness

You can sign your own license and your marriage is legally recognized. For a lot of couples, this makes the ceremony feel even more personal and powerful.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a blue suit hold hands while walking on a dirt road in a rural outdoor setting.

Step 5 – Location Permits And Rules

Some locations, especially national parks and certain public lands, require:

  • a permit for ceremonies
  • restrictions on group size
  • rules about where you can gather

This is not meant to scare you off. It just means:

  • you pick your spot
  • we confirm the rules
  • we apply for the right permit

For example, Rocky Mountain National Park is stunning for elopements and portraits, but it has specific ceremony site options and limits. That is why I keep separate guides for locations like RMNP and Colorado State Parks so you can see what is possible without guessing.

Again, you can start here if you are already drawn to nature forward spots:

A group of bridesmaids and groomsmen pose for a photo in the mountains.

Step 6 – Decide Who You Want There

Eloping does not have to mean “no guests.” It just means you are intentional about who is present.

Questions to help you decide:

  • Who supports you fully without making the day about themselves
  • Who feels safe to cry, laugh, and be real around
  • Would our vows feel better with privacy, or with a few loved ones nearby

Some couples choose to:

  • say private vows alone, then meet family later for a meal
  • invite 5 to 20 guests for a small ceremony in a state park
  • keep the whole day just for the two of them

There is no wrong choice. You are allowed to build something that fits your nervous systems, not everyone else’s expectations.

A silhouetted couple stands facing each other outdoors at dusk, surrounded by trees in one of the breathtaking Colorado Parks Wedding Venues, with faint light outlining their figures.

Step 7 – Plan Your Elopement Day Timeline

An elopement is not just “show up, say vows, take a few photos, leave.” It can be a full day that moves like a story.

Sample Half Day Colorado Elopement

  • Getting ready in a cabin or Airbnb
  • First look outside under the pines
  • Drive to an overlook or pass
  • Vows at sunset
  • Portraits in changing light
  • Champagne, music, and a simple picnic

Sample Full Day Colorado Elopement

  • Sunrise coffee and journaling together
  • Getting ready with slow, intentional pacing
  • First look in the forest or near the river
  • Midday hike or 4×4 adventure to a high point
  • Break to eat, rest, and breathe
  • Sunset vows in a wild place
  • Blue hour portraits and headlamp walk back
  • Private first dance under the stars or string lights at your rental

If you want more help thinking through timing and structure, my broader wedding planning guides still apply to elopements too:

A groom in a blue suit dips and kisses a bride in a white gown on a paved road, with trees and parked cars in the background at sunset.

Step 8 – Choose Activities That Feel Like You

The beautiful thing about eloping is that you are not stuck in a script.

Ideas for Colorado elopements:

  • Sunrise hike or short walk to a viewpoint
  • Canoe or paddleboard on a mountain lake
  • 4×4 drive up a pass road
  • Picnic with local food and wine
  • Reading letters from family and friends who could not be there
  • Slow dance in a parking lot with the mountains in the background

You can keep it simple too. Sit, talk, cry, hold hands. Stillness photographs just as beautifully as adventure.

A man with short brown hair, a beard, and tattooed arms sits on a chair, smiling. He wears a short-sleeve pink button-up shirt and dark pants in a bright indoor setting.

Step 9 – Hire A Photographer Who Understands Elopements

Elopements are not just “small weddings.” They require a different mindset.

You want someone who:

  • knows the light and terrain in Colorado
  • understands permits, locations, and access
  • can help you build a timeline that does not feel rushed
  • knows how to give direction without turning your day into a performance
  • can be a calm presence when nerves show up

If you are drawn to mountain elopements and sessions that feel honest and story driven, you can explore more of my Colorado work here:

Step 10 – Build In Time To Actually Feel It

This might be the most important part.

On the day you elope:

  • breathe often
  • pause sometimes
  • look around and actually notice where you are
  • notice how your body feels when you say your vows
  • notice the way your partner looks at you when no one else is talking

Those small moments are what you remember. The photos are there to bring you back to that feeling later.

Ready To Elope In Colorado

If you are feeling pulled toward wild landscapes, smaller circles, and a day that feels more like the best parts of your relationship than a performance, eloping in Colorado might be exactly what you need.

When you reach out, tell me:

  • what kind of scenery feels most like home
  • how many people, if any, you want with you
  • how you want the day to feel in your body

From there, I will help you choose locations, timing, and a plan that keeps things intentional and real from start to finish.

You can start the conversation here:
Contact and booking page – Let’s Book