James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero scored two goals in the space of six second-half minutes to give their side the lead, and although Ivory Coast hit back through Gervinho, the South American outfit clung on to the win.
Colombia started the brighter of the two sides, and could have taken the lead through Teofilo Gutierrez, but the striker's volley evaded the post.
Ivory Coast responded through Cheik Tiote, but after his effort cleared the crossbar, Colombia wasted a golden opportunity to edge ahead through Gutierrez, but he somehow missed the target from eight yards.
Like at the beginning of the first half, Colombia showed a greater urgency during the opening exchanges of the second, but they were fortunate to remain on level terms when Wilfried Bony scuffed the ball wide after good work from Yaya Toure.
Ivory Coast introduced Didier Drogba into the action, but the former Chelsea man was partly at fault for Colombia's first goal after being beaten in the air by Rodriguez, who powered a header past Boubacar Barry after a fee kick had been swung into the penalty area.
Six minutes later, Colombia made it 2-0 after breaking clear from a poor corner from Ivory Coast. The South American outfit worked the ball into a three-on-two situation and after the ball was worked out to Quintero on the right-hand side of the area, he confidently slipped the ball under Barry from 12 yards.
Ivory Coast looked a beaten side, but three minutes later, they halved the deficit through Gervinho, who waltzed his way past a couple of defenders before driving the ball home from 12 yards.
The African nation continued to push for an equaliser, but Colombia produced some resolute defending to ensure that David Ospina had little work to do as his side moved to the brink of qualification for the second round.
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