Colorado Child Support Calculator (2026)
Colorado calculates child support under income-shares guidelines (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-115). Estimate the guideline amount below.
Income basis: combined monthly adjusted gross income.
Enter the income above to see the guideline estimate.
Simplified guideline estimate, interpolated from the official schedule — before health-insurance, childcare, and parenting-time adjustments. For the exact figure use the official Colorado calculator.
Your Case Details
Answer a few questions to see your estimated range.
Approximate gap between higher-earner and lower-earner.
Estimated Monthly Support
$840 — $1,560
State formulas vary significantly. This estimate uses national averages — your state's guidelines may produce a different number.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Colorado uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes are combined, the official schedule sets a basic support obligation, and each parent owes their proportional share (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-115). The calculator above interpolates the official schedule for a quick estimate — health-insurance, child-care, and parenting-time adjustments come on top.
How Colorado Calculates Child Support
Colorado uses the Income Shares model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115: the court adds both parents' 'adjusted gross income' into a combined monthly figure, looks up the 'basic child support obligation' on the statutory Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations (§14-10-115(7)(b)), then splits that dollar amount between the parents in proportion to their income shares and adjusts for parenting-time overnights, health insurance, work/education-related child care, and extraordinary medical expenses. The formula and schedule were substantially rewritten by House Bill 25-1159 (Colorado Child Support Commission recommendations, signed 5/31/2025), with the new calculation rules effective March 1, 2026 — raising the income cap, replacing the old 93-overnight 'cliff' with a per-overnight parenting-time-credit table, and updating every dollar amount on the schedule (~10% CPI-driven increase).
Statutory basis: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-115. Exact figure: official Colorado calculator.
Official Schedule — Excerpt
Basic support obligation at selected combined incomes (combined monthly adjusted gross income), from the official Colorado schedule:
| Combined income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,350 | $645 | $982 | $1,187 |
| $5,000 | $934 | $1,404 | $1,685 |
| $7,500 | $1,168 | $1,744 | $2,068 |
| $10,000 | $1,350 | $2,001 | $2,352 |
Worked Example
Combined monthly adjusted gross income of $7,500 with 2 children: the schedule gives a basic obligation of $1,744/month. If Parent A earns $4,500/month (60% of the combined income) and Parent B earns $3,000/month (40%), each parent's presumptive share of the $1,744 is Parent A: $1,046.40, Parent B: $697.60. If Parent B (the obligor) has 40 overnights a year with the children, the statutory parenting-time-credit table (§14-10-115(8)(h)) applies a 3.66% credit, cutting Parent B's payment by about $63.80 (3.66% × $1,744) to roughly $633.80/month — before adding each parent's proportional share of work/education-related child care, health insurance, and extraordinary medical expenses.
When Courts Deviate From the Guideline
- One parent spends substantially more time with the child than a straight overnight count reflects
- Extraordinary medical expenses for either parent or a current spouse
- Extraordinary costs tied to parenting time (e.g., long-distance travel)
- Gross disparity in income between the parents
- A parent's ownership of a substantial non-income-producing asset
- Consistent overtime, a second job, or work beyond 40 hrs/week not counted in gross income
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on income for Colorado's guideline child support formula?
Yes. The official Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations covers combined monthly adjusted gross income up to $40,000 (raised from $30,000 by HB 25-1159, effective March 1, 2026). At that top row, the basic obligation is $3,398/month for one child up to $7,769/month for six or more children. Above $40,000/month combined, judges use discretion, but the law says the presumptive amount can't be set below the top-of-schedule figure.
What counts as income under Colorado's child support guidelines?
Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, investment and rental income, pensions, Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment and disability benefits, among other sources (§14-10-115(5)). Excluded: child support received and means-tested public assistance. 'Adjusted gross income' then subtracts pre-existing child support actually paid and, for maintenance/alimony paid outside this case, the amount actually paid multiplied by 1.25.
How does shared or split parenting time change the amount owed?
Since March 1, 2026 (HB 25-1159), Colorado eliminated the old 93-overnight threshold. Every overnight now earns a proportional parenting-time credit under the statutory table in §14-10-115(8)(h) — 0% at 0 overnights, 50% at 182.5 (equal time), up to 100% at 365. The credit is applied against each parent's share of the basic obligation, and the amount a parent with shared care owes can never exceed what that same parent would owe with zero overnights.
Until what age does child support run in Colorado, and does it cover college?
Colorado child support generally continues until a child turns 19, or through high school graduation if the child is still enrolled at 19, and can extend indefinitely for a child who is mentally or physically disabled and unable to support themselves. The statutory guideline formula in §14-10-115 does not require support through college; that would need a separate agreement between the parents.