Transcript:
Colorado does recognize common law marriages. In order to be common law married in the state of Colorado, two things must occur: You must live together, and you must hold yourself out to the community as being married. Courts often look to joint credit card statements, joint rental agreements, joint ownership and other things to establish that you are holding yourself out as being married. Examples of holding yourself out as being married in the community may involve telling your employer you are married [or] referring to the person you are living with as your spouse. There is no time requirement for you to be common law married. It could happen within a month, or it could take 20 years. The focus is not on the time, the focus is on the intent of the parties and whether they are representing themselves as being married. In Colorado there is no legal difference between someone who is common law married and married through a marriage certificate, each person has the same legal rights when it comes to a divorce proceeding.