How Long Does Maintenance Last in Colorado?
Last reviewed: March 2026
Colorado uses advisory guidelines to determine maintenance duration. Multiplier starts at 31% for 3yr marriage, increases ~0.165%/month up to 50% cap at 12.5yr. For 12.5-20yr = 50%. Over 20yr = court discretion (may be indefinite). (Source: C.R.S. 14-10-114 (advisory guidelines))
How Colorado determines maintenance duration
Colorado is an equitable distribution state. Colorado refers to spousal support as “maintenance”. Colorado has advisory guidelines for maintenance duration, though judges are not strictly bound by them.
Source: C.R.S. 14-10-114 (advisory guidelines)
Advisory guideline: 40% of higher income minus 50% of lower income. Duration based on marriage length.
Estimated maintenance duration by marriage length
The table below shows estimated maximum maintenance duration for different marriage lengths in Colorado. These are based on advisory guidelines. Actual awards may differ.
| Marriage length | Est. max maintenance duration |
|---|---|
| 5 years | 1.7 years |
| 10 years | 4.5 years |
| 15 years | 7.5 years |
| 20 years | 10 years |
| 25 years | Indefinite (court discretion) |
When does maintenance end in Colorado?
Maintenance in Colorado typically ends when:
- The court-ordered term expires
- The recipient spouse remarries
- Either party dies
- A court modifies or terminates the order due to a significant change in circumstances
In some cases, cohabitation with a new partner may also be grounds for modification or termination of maintenance in Colorado.
Is maintenance taxable in Colorado?
For divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018, maintenance is not deductible by the payer and not taxable to the recipient under federal tax law (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). This applies in Colorado and all other states.
Will your Colorado maintenance actually cover you long-term?
Enter your income, assets, and support terms. Get a year-by-year projection showing your after-tax cash flow and whether your settlement sustains you after maintenance ends.
Pro models your after-tax cash flow year-by-year with Colorado-specific rules. Interactive sliders let you test different scenarios.
From uncertainty to clarity in 3 steps
No account required. No credit card. Just your numbers.
Enter your numbers
Settlement amount, income, expenses, alimony, house — takes about 2 minutes. Everything runs privately in your browser.
See the projection
Get a year-by-year chart showing your net worth from now through age 100. Green, yellow, or red — you'll know where you stand instantly.
Model & export
Test different settlement terms to find which saves you the most money, compare offers side-by-side, and export a report for your attorney.
Every projection is deterministic — same inputs always produce the same outputs. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you provide.
See what a Pro analysis looks like
We built a complete Pro analysis for a fictional person named Sarah. Explore every section — charts, what-if scenarios, risk timeline, negotiation leverage — so you can see what’s included before running your own numbers.
You don’t need a $5,000 CDFA retainer to understand your own numbers
Start with the free projection. If the numbers raise questions you can’t answer, upgrade to Pro for $19 — one-time, no subscription — and discover which settlement terms could save you thousands.
Not financial or legal advice. DivorceSmart is an educational planning tool. Always consult a qualified attorney and financial advisor before making settlement decisions.