If you’ve been researching the best places to elope, you’ve probably come across Colorado several times (if not more). This is for great reason! Colorado is easily one of the most incredible places to exchange vows. In this guide, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about when and where to have a magical Colorado elopement.
Why Elope in Colorado
I can think of a thousand reasons why couples choose to elope in Colorado. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, but there are also countless elopement locations, making it easy for any couple to find the perfect one.
From massive national parks and beautiful alpine lakes to amazing weather and exciting adventures, there’s something for everyone! In fact, I’ve worked with many couples to plan (and photograph) the perfect Colorado elopement. Each experience has been one for the books!
Did I mention it’s also super easy to get married in Colorado? It’s one of the only states where you can legally marry yourself, meaning you don’t need witnesses or an officiant. All you have to do is get your marriage license from any Colorado County Clerk’s office, which is also pretty effortless. You can even have your ceremony the same day you apply for your marriage license. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
When to Have a Colorado Elopement
The awesome thing about eloping in Colorado is that all 4 seasons are beautiful and offer a unique experience. Best of all, Colorado boasts about 300 days of sunshine per year, so you can almost always count on pleasant weather!
Here’s what you can expect for your elopement, depending on the time of year…
Winter
While I recommend a winter elopement only if you’re used to snowy conditions, Colorado can be a stunning place for a winter wonderland wedding. You’re in for a treat with snow-capped mountains and exciting winter honeymoon adventures. You can also expect affordable accommodations, calm trails, and crisp mountain air during winter.
Spring
If you’re interested in eloping during the quiet season but want more pleasant weather, spring is the way to go. It’s an excellent time to have your ceremony in a peaceful destination. Because it’s the shoulder season, it’s less crowded and more affordable. Keep in mind that it takes some time for the snow to melt. So, if you still want to see a bit of snow, elope in early spring and if you prefer more greenery, wait until late spring.
Summer
Summers in Colorado are pretty popular. The days are long, the lake waters are perfect for swimming, and the trails are green. This is also when wildflowers are at their prettiest – I’m talking GORGEOUS! Even better, the weather is warm but not too hot and mornings are especially lovely.
Fall
If you ask me, fall in Colorado is the best time of year! The colorful fall foliage makes for gorgeous elopement scenery, and the weather is just right. I recommend planning your elopement for the end of September or early October for the best of its autumn season.
To help you decide which season is right for you, check out this chart that shows what you can expect each month weather-wise:
| Month | Average Low | Average High | Average Precipitation |
| January | 16°F | 47°F | 0.64 in. |
| February | 18°F | 49°F | 0.73 in. |
| March | 25°F | 56°F | 1.88 in. |
| April | 33°F | 62°F | 2.20 in. |
| May | 42°F | 72°F | 2.56 in. |
| June | 50°F | 81°F | 2.05 in. |
| July | 56°F | 88°F | 1.68 in. |
| August | 54°F | 86°F | 2.01 in. |
| September | 44°F | 78°F | 1.13 in. |
| October | 33°F | 66°F | 1.43 in. |
| November | 23°F | 54°F | 1.09 in. |
| December | 16°F | 46°F | 0.83 in. |
Where to Have a Colorado Elopement
Now for the fun part – where to say “I do!” As I mentioned, Colorado has endless locations for you to elope. However, here are some of my absolute favorites. And I’ll also share the best times of year for eloping in each destination.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Ample Landscapes and Hiking
Best time of year: year-round, especially in winter
Located in northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park spans over 415 square miles. It boasts stunning landscapes, from shining lakes and cascading waterfalls to significant mountain peaks and vast meadows. With more than 300 miles of hiking trails to wander through, there are tons of elopement spots to choose from and ample photo ops.
Telluride: A Quiet Mountain Town
Best time of year: year-round
If a cozy mountain town sounds up your alley, a Telluride elopement might be exactly what you’re looking for. Located in the Rocky Mountains, Telluride offers plenty for couples to see and do, including strolling past colorful Victorian homes, visiting art galleries, and enjoying delicious restaurants. And what about eloping? Bridal Veil Falls, a 365-foot waterfall in Telluride, is one of my favorite places for a Colorado elopement!
Breckenridge: Winter Wonderland Elopement
Best time of year: year-round, especially in winter
If you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland elopement, Breckenridge can make those dreams a reality! This mountain town in central Colorado is home to world-class ski resorts, an unmatched mountain panorama, and exciting adventures.
San Juan Mountains: Breathtaking Scenery
Best time of year: year-round
If an adventure elopement is what you’re looking for, the San Juan Mountains is the place for it. This rugged mountain range in southwestern Colorado has gorgeous blue alpine lakes, wildflowers during summer, and craggy volcanic peaks.
Sand Dunes National Park: Tallest Dunes in North America
Best time of year: year-round
Head south to Great Sand Dunes National Park, where you can find the tallest dunes in North America. These fascinating dunes make for a unique elopement backdrop! Couples who enjoy hiking love the trails that lead to forests, wetlands, and alpine lakes.
Loveland Pass: Adventurous Mountain Pass
Best time of year: summer, spring, fall
This mountain pass just outside of Denver offers an adventurous experience as you wind past stunning mountain views. It also offers many viewpoints and stop-offs, making for great spots to exchange your vows.
Boulder: City Life with Nature
Best time of year: year-round
Boulder offers the perfect mix of city and nature. Boulder could be your dream elopement destination if you and your love enjoy an excellent food and drink scene and outdoor activities. Surrounded by the Flatirons and the Rocky Mountains, Boulder’s scenery is unmatched and makes for special elopement backdrops.
Lost Gulch Overlook: A Sunset Elopement
Best time of year: summer and fall
Just outside of Boulder is the Lost Gulch Overlook. This elopement location is ideal for the semi-adventurous couple. It offers an easy hike to a lookout point with dramatic mountain views. A sunset elopement is absolutely incredible here!
Garden of the Gods: Colorado Springs Paradise
Best time of year: year-round
One of my absolute favorite elopement sessions took place at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Its massive red rocks are unlike anything you’ve seen and make for one of the most memorable experiences. Although this is an extremely popular destination, there are excellent times to visit for a quiet, intimate elopement.
This is just the start of the remarkable Colorado elopement locations. If you have something specific in mind or want more ideas, feel free to contact me. I’m an elopement photographer who absolutely loves to brainstorm elopement destinations!
FAQ
Have a few more questions as you plan your elopement? I’ve got the answers!
How can I legally elope in Colorado?
To legally elope in Colorado, all you have to do is head to one of these Colorado County Clerk offices and do a few simple things. Show your ID with your date of birth and pay a $30 marriage license fee. Divorced and widowed applicants also need to provide information regarding this (dates and locations).
Do I need a permit to elope in Colorado?
Some elopement locations in Colorado require a permit. You should be able to do a quick search to determine if your location of choice requires one. Fortunately, permit prices are usually relatively low, ranging from $50 to a few hundred.
Some awesome locations that don’t require a permit include Garden of the Gods, some inns in Breckinridge, and viewpoints along the Loveland Pass.
When’s the best time to have a Colorado elopement?
To be honest, fall is my favorite time for a Colorado elopement. The weather is lovely, and the fall colors are gorgeous! With that said, Colorado is amazing for elopements all year long.
How much does it cost to elope in Colorado?
Whether you have a budget of $1,000 or $10,000, you can make it happen in Colorado! The cool part about eloping in Colorado is that endless locations allow you to pick what works best for you.
Many factors play a role in how much your elopement will cost, including time of year, length of trip, elopement location, and vendors.
Let’s Plan Your Colorado Elopement
With unmatched elopement locations any time of year, it’s easy to want to run off to Colorado and exchange your vows. If you’re ready to make it happen and need some guidance, I’d love to help!
Among the Pines (aka me) is an adventure elopement photographer that can help you turn your dream day into a reality. I assist with the entire planning process, from helping you choose your vendors to finding the perfect elopement location.
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
