Marrying your first cousin is fully legal in Colorado with no restrictions. State law explicitly permits it while prohibiting closer relations like siblings or parent-child unions.
Colorado’s Marriage Laws
Colorado Revised Statutes Section 14-2-110 outlines prohibited marriages, including ancestor-descendant, siblings, uncle-niece, and aunt-nephew pairs—regardless of half or whole blood.
First cousins face no such ban, making Colorado one of about 18 states allowing unrestricted cousin marriage. Local clerks, like El Paso County’s office, confirm this in public FAQs, noting no genetic tests or age limits apply.
No Restrictions Apply
Unlike states such as Arizona or Illinois, which require parties over 50 or infertility proof, Colorado imposes zero conditions on first or second cousins. Adoption doesn’t alter eligibility; general marriage rules—like licenses and age 18—suffice. This stance holds steady as of 2026, with no pending legislation tightening rules.
Health and Genetic Concerns
While legal, first-cousin unions carry doubled recessive genetic disorder risks for offspring, per medical consensus. Colorado doesn’t mandate counseling, but experts recommend it—especially since 24 states ban the practice citing these issues. No state data tracks cousin marriage rates, but it’s rare nationwide.
Obtaining a License
Apply at any county clerk’s office with ID, proving you’re unmarried and meet age requirements. No waiting period or blood tests exist; ceremonies follow standard solemnization. Out-of-state couples sometimes choose Colorado as a “destination” due to laxer rules.
National Comparisons
All states ban closer incest; cousin rules vary widely.
Incest vs. Cousin Marriage
Colorado criminalizes sexual incest (C.R.S. 18-6-301) as a felony for close kin, but cousin relations escape this—even if married elsewhere. Annulments apply only to void unions, not cousin ones.
Final Guidance
Legality doesn’t erase social stigma or health advice—consult professionals for personalized risks. For marriage, Colorado’s clear: cousins can wed without issue.
SOURCES :
- https://kekbfm.com/colorado-marry-your-cousin/
- https://k99.com/cousin-marriage-colorado/
