The Go-To Guide to Elope in Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Colorful mine rocks, beautiful red rocks, lush green backdrops, staggering mountain peaks—Colorado Springs has a lot to offer. And honestly? Those few things I just said are barely the tip of the iceberg.

Whenever I talk to couples about their desire to elope in Colorado, two things happen: first, I do a legit happy dance because there’s so much beauty to choose from in CO; then, I drop these two words—Colorado Springs.

Hear me out. 

Typically, when people think of Colorado elopements or Colorado mountain weddings, they immediately think of Rocky Mountain National Park or cute little mountain towns like Breckenridge or Aspen. Don’t get me wrong—those spots absolutely rule (and like, if you want to elope there, I got you covered, pals). 

But there is something so special and quintessentially Colorado about the town of Colorado Springs—and I’m going to spend this entire elopement guide dropping some serious knowledge on you so you can get a feel for what CO Springs has to offer! 

**Spoiler Alert** it’s much, much more than just a variety of landscapes, but I could straight-up go on and on about just that fact forever! 

The Top Reasons to Elope in Colorado Springs 

Before I dive in, know that this little list I’ve concocted for you is very whittled down—if you wanted me to, I could rattle off several hundred more reasons that CO Springs is a must-elope-spot. But for now, I’ll just share a few of my very favorite reasons. 

So Many Landscape Choices

Forgive me, but I’m just going to go ahead and repeat my little blog intro right here—painted mines, beautiful red rocks, lush green backdrops, staggering mountain peaks. Might seem hard to believe that all of those landscapes are in the same place, right? Sure—but that’s Colorado Springs for you. What I love about Colorado Springs is the insane diversity that you can choose from. If you’re obsessed with classic Colorado Red Rocks, then Garden of the Gods is a must. If you love epic mountain peaks but love accessibility even more, then the famous 14er Pikes Peak is your go-to (P.S., you can drive up to the top or hike—it’s up to you!). There are so many options in Colorado Springs—so many, in fact, I had to come up with an entire section of this blog on the best places to elope in Colorado Springs (keep reading, you’ll get there!). 

Accessibility for the Win

Here’s the deal with CO Springs—it’s crazy accessible, pretty much year ‘round. Why? Because people love to visit. Like with most areas of Colorado, tourism is a big deal. As a result, Colorado has invested a lot of resources into keeping its prime locations accessible. While this is true most everywhere that tourists go, some things are totally out of control when it comes to weather—like waaaay up high in the mountains (those spots are typically seasonal). In Colorado Springs, though, you can pretty much anticipate almost everything in the area—shorter hikes, restaurants, seasonal adventures—to be open and accessible all year long. Feeling like you want a winter elopement but you aren’t jazzed about the idea of risking it up way up high in the mountains during the coldest months? Colorado Springs is a great alternative—you get those epic views without the unpredictability. 

Easy To-and-From Travel

Eloping in a top-of-the-world mountain town is great, don’t get me wrong, but it comes with its own challenges—transportation logistics being one of them. In other words, unless you can somehow finagle a flight to the top of the mountains, you’ll be flying in, renting a vehicle, and driving yourself (and maybe your guests) up the mountains. Again, that’s definitely a fun experience, but if you seek convenience, it might not be your favorite option. One of the biggest advantages to eloping in CO Springs (especially if you’re bringing guests along with you!) is the in-town airport. Yep, it’s smaller than Denver International, but it’s totally doable. And honestly, if all else fails, Denver is only 1.5 hours away—which is still pretty dang convenient. 

The Perfect Balance of Adventure and Convenience

Colorado Springs has the perfect little mix of adventurous outdoor stuff and city conveniences—a short drive in any direction will bring you to natural beauty you can only dream of, and a short drive back brings you to all the world-class food, all the beer, and all the modern conveniences of a city. If you love the idea of eloping outdoors but want to pamper yourselves with killer Airbnbs, amazing culinary options, and other city conveniences (spa day to celebrate your elopement, anyone?), Colorado Springs totally brings it with this balance. 

Always Adventure-Ready

Let’s not forget that Colorado Springs is in Colorado. AKA, you know the entire city is always adventure-ready. No matter what you and your partner love to do—you are never far from hiking, skiing, exploring, 4×4 driving, mountain biking, and more. This is Colorado, after all. 

The Best Locations to Elope in Colorado Springs 

Remember when I said that I had an entire section dedicated to locations to elope in Colorado Springs? Congratulations—you’ve just arrived at the best section (IMHO) in this blog. 

The location that you choose for your wedding or elopement should be spectacular in all the ways that matter the most to you and your partner. I’ve laid out a few of my favorites in Colorado Springs—but know this, there are so many more to choose from! 

Garden of the Gods

Do you love the idea of an outdoor wedding in a gorgeous place? Friends, you must take a peek at the Garden of the Gods. One of the most beautiful, unique, and natural wonders CO has to offer, the Garden of the Gods is the perfect place to host your wedding if you love—beautiful red rocks, adorable wildlife (deer galore), tranquil vibes, and landscape unlike any other. Want to explore the area after your ceremony but don’t want to spend the whole day there? This beautiful landscape takes about 90 minutes to explore—if you can tear yourself away, that is. 

The Paint Mines

You know what I love most about this location? It is so underrated. Located in the eastern plains of Colorado in El Paso County, this interpretive park is only one mile south of Calhan, Colorado and is so famous for its enormous, colorful rocks (you’ll get to know them as hoodoos). The Paint Mines are absolutely breathtaking. Picture gorgeous rocks splashed with natural hues of orange, red, white, and pink, all mixed perfectly into the most distinct formations. It’s a one-of-a-kind location and would make such an epic backdrop for an adventurous elopement. The best part? There are tons of great hiking trails for all levels! 

Pikes Peak

Calling all mountain adventurers, this location is for you. If you’ve never heard the name Pikes Peak, I highly recommend you start your google searching now. This famous Colorado 14er has epic views, adventurous hiking paths, and all the mountain goodness you love about Colorado. The best part? You can trek to the top, drive to the top, or even take a train up! The only caveat I’ll mention is the altitude. If you’re coming in from out of town to elope on the top of Pikes Peak, give yourself a few days in Colorado Springs to adjust before you climb to the top. Trust me, you’ll have a much more enjoyable elopement. 

Let’s Talk Seasons: The Best Time of the Year to Elope in Colorado Springs 

Most of the time, you can expect abundant sunshine, lots of blue skies, and a healthy dose of all four seasons—in total Colorado fashion. But let’s break down these seasons really quickly so you can choose the perfect time to elope in Colorado Springs.

Fall in Colorado Springs (September- November) 

Magical, crisp, cool, and dazzling—that’s what you can expect in Fall in Colorado Springs. Don’t get me wrong, it’ll be a little chilly (especially early in the morning, at night, or high up on Pikes Peak), but it’s totally possible for the temperature to get toasty during the day (thanks to that sunshine we mentioned earlier). It’s important to note that layers are a must at all times during Fall and it is still Colorado, after all—the higher up in altitude you go, the less predictable the weather becomes. But if you seek gorgeous leaves and amazing temps while being only slightly bundled up, the Fall is an excellent time of year to elope. 

Winter in Colorado Springs (December-April) 

Chilly—but not as chilly as some of the mountain towns way up high. Yes, you’ll need to bundle up and yes, it’s definitely going to be winter weather, but you’ll experience a milder winter in CO Springs than you would in a mountain town. As always, keep layers on you and be prepared for some unpredictable weather! 

Spring in Colorado Springs (May-June) 

Comfortable, warm, and plenty of wildflowers dotting the mountains—that’s what you can expect in the Spring. But just like I always say, springtime in CO calls for a backup plan—especially if you’re eloping. You could have rain, snow, blazing temps, or thunderstorms—maybe even all in the same day. 

Summer in Colorado Springs (July-August)

A hot and sunny Colorado summer is exactly what you can expect in CO Springs. Remember, most areas in Colorado Springs are at about 6,035+ feet, so you’ll be that much closer to the sun. Sunscreen and layers are still a must! 

The How-Tos & Paperwork: Colorado Springs, Colorado Wedding Permit Details 

This is—admittedly—way more boring than scouting epic elopement locations, but it’s also super important. Don’t worry, though—I’ll keep it brief (but informative!). 

Location Permits & Fees

There are so many places in Colorado Springs where you can elope or get married—but some require you to have the right paperwork, permits, and fee payments. The good news? That much is easy. All I suggest is doing your homework on any location—and I can definitely help you out with that! 

Wedding Permits & Paperwork 

Every county in CO has different rules when it comes to getting married, but in general, it’s all pretty easy. Here are a few things you should know about getting married in Colorado Springs—AKA, El Paso County. 

• Marriage licenses must be used within 35 days of the issue date in Colorado 
• You don’t have to get your marriage license in Colorado Springs—CO is cool with you getting your license in any county so long as it’s in Colorado 
• No witnesses are necessary—no officiants, either (we’ll get to that in a second)
• Licenses cost $30—but some counties might only accept cash, so prepare for that 
• There’s no waiting period—AKA, if you want to get your license, get married, and turn it back in all in the same 24 hours, that possibility is all yours.
• You must file the license (in person or by mail) in the county it was issued
• No bloodwork needed! 

Still have questions? I highly recommend taking a look at the El Paso County Colorado Website here to get a better idea of the ins and outs of the marriage license. 

Everything You Need to Know About Self-Solemnizing 

When it comes to the paperwork thing, the state of Colorado makes everything pretty damn easy. But you know what? They make it even easier than you’d ever imagine by being one of the only states to allow self-solemnization. 

In other words, in Colorado, you can self-solemnize, AKA, you don’t need witnesses or an officiant to make your marriage official. 

No judges, no court magistrates, and no authorized religious officials, and no authorized public officials required. You—that means you and your partner—can perform the ceremony yourself. 

You know how mostly every state has different rules about what “counts” for an official wedding—often, you’ll have to include a witness or two and have an authorized person perform your marriage ceremony. But Colorado? They’re chill—they’re all about couples doing the damn thing all by themselves. 

*BONUS TIP* Because self-solemnization is a thing and witnesses aren’t needed, your doggo can be the “witness” that signs your marriage license. For real, friends—it’s legal and it’s a must. 

The Top Elopement and Wedding Venues in Colorado Springs

You know what’s really awesome about Colorado Springs? The sheer amount of breathtaking venues they have available for couples. Seriously, you guys—Colorado Springs is not messing around when it comes to beautiful spots to get married. So, if a venue is your vibe for your big day, know you’ve got a lot to choose from. 

I’ve laid out a few of my all-time faves below. 

Flying Horse Ranch

Flying Horse Ranch is rated among one of the finest cattle and equestrian ranches in the Front Range of Colorado—and if you’re totally new to that whole world, know that this is an enormous feat. The ranch sits on an expansive and exquisite piece of land overlooking gorgeous views—AKA, it is a perfect location for custom-made events (like outdoor weddings). 

The Pinery at the Hill

The Pinery at the Hill is another location that will definitely wow you. The Pinery at the Hill features all-inclusive features for unparalleled wedding experiences, an award-winning venue, iconic views of Colorado Springs, and even beautiful gardens. It’s considered to be a premier destination for those seeking a luxurious wedding experience with a stunning backdrop (take a look at their site and you’ll see why—totally jaw-dropping). 

Colorado Secret Garden

The Colorado Secret Garden is a luscious, green oasis surrounded by 100-year-old trees and natural, floral beauty that’s to-die-for. By the name, you’re probably already envisioning how gorgeous it is (you’ll have to look it up, it’s literally impossible to envision how amazing it actually is). It also has a beautiful meandering stream running through 3 ponds and two waterfalls, English-style cottages for your guests to stay in, and next-level amenities designed to make your wedding as stress-free as it is stunning. 

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

If you want something completely unique for your amazing wedding or elopement ceremony, check out the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park. This location offers three ceremony spots to choose from—literally inside the cave! Canopy Hall is the largest and tallest room of the cave and is surrounded by natural stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. Bridal Chamber and the Canyon Rim Pavilion can be used as well—not only for your ceremony but also for the reception. An adventurous elopement held literally inside an amazing cave? Yeah, sign me up. 

Colorado Springs Elopement Packages

Looking to create your ideal Colorado Springs elopement and have it captured by your perfect-fit elopement photographer? Friends, I’m your gal! 

Don’t be fooled by the title, I’m so much more than your photographer. I’m there with you EVERY step of the way of your beautiful day, from brainstorming and planning to capturing and documenting your love story on the day you say “I do.” 

Want to know more about how I can help you plan your dream Colorado Springs elopement? I’ve got you. Here are a few ways that I can be there for you throughout your entire elopement:

• Exclusive 100-page Elopement Planning Guide for Captured by Marcela Couples
• 3 Questionnaires that help you get down to the root of what you want to better help you plan your perfect elopement
• Personalized and detailed elopement recommendations from yours truly 
• Local vendor recommendations 
• Timeline creation that details all the possibilities for your day 
• Packing lists galore 

And that’s just the start of it all! From helping you with permits to scouting out the best locations to being on your team through thick and thin, I’m here to help you and your partner craft a day that’s unique, memorable, and perfect for the two of you. 

Does a Colorado Springs Elopement Sound Like Your Dream? I’m Here For You

Okay, by now, Colorado Springs is probably sounding way too good to be real—but I’m here to assure you that it 100% is. Colorado Springs is an amazing choice for any couple looking for adventure, beauty, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the most important day of their lives. 

Thinking that Colorado Springs is right for you? I’m so in. I’m here to help you plan the perfect CO Springs elopement that represents who you are and what’s important to you—I’m also there to help you document your unique love story as authentically and genuinely as possible.

So, ready to deepen your connection, strengthen your love, and dive into planning the most perfect-for-you elopement possible? Let’s go ahead and do this damn thing! Reach out to me ASAP and I’ll be back to you even faster.

Looking for even more elopement guidance to help you on your journey? Check out my elopement guide right here for a comprehensive look at elopements and how to craft your perfect-for-you day.