Colorado calculates child support using the Income Shares Model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, combining both parents' adjusted gross incomes and allocating obligations proportionally. Effective March 1, 2026, House Bill 25-1159 eliminated the 93-overnight threshold, raised the combined monthly income cap from $30,000 to $40,000, and established a self-support reserve of $1,831.83 per month. Parents earning $650 or less pay a flat $10 monthly regardless of children; those above $650 but below the self-support reserve pay $50 to $150 monthly based on child count. The updated support schedule reflects 2023 Consumer Price Index adjustments not made since 2014, resulting in approximately 10% higher awards under the new guidelines.
| Key Fact | Colorado Details |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares (C.R.S. § 14-10-115) |
| Combined Income Cap | $40,000/month (effective March 1, 2026) |
| Self-Support Reserve | $1,831.83/month (2026) |
| Minimum Payment | $10/month (income ≤$650) |
| Modification Filing Fee | $105 (as of January 2025) |
| Termination Age | 19 (or high school graduation, up to age 21) |
| Overnight Threshold | Eliminated—every overnight counts |
| Interest on Arrears | 10% annually (payments due after July 1, 2021) |
How Colorado Calculates Child Support Under the 2026 Guidelines
Colorado determines child support amounts through a five-step Income Shares calculation that combines both parents' adjusted gross incomes and allocates obligations based on each parent's percentage of the total. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, courts first determine each parent's monthly adjusted gross income, then combine those figures to find the basic support obligation from the statutory schedule. A parent earning 60% of the combined income bears 60% of the basic child support obligation, while the other parent covers 40%. Additional costs including childcare, health insurance premiums, and extraordinary medical expenses follow the same proportional allocation. The March 2026 reforms updated support amounts from 2010 values to 2023 values based on the Betson-Rothbarth Study and Consumer Price Index data.
The combined monthly income cap increased from $30,000 to $40,000 effective March 1, 2026. For parents with combined incomes exceeding this threshold, courts may deviate from guideline amounts based on the children's reasonable needs and each parent's financial circumstances. The self-support reserve ensures that obligors retain enough income to meet basic living expenses before support calculations apply. In 2026, Colorado's minimum wage of $15.16 per hour multiplied by 29 hours weekly, 50 weeks annually, divided by 12 months yields the $1,831.83 self-support reserve.
The 2026 Law Changes: HB 25-1159 Explained
House Bill 25-1159, signed by Governor Polis on May 31, 2025, represents Colorado's most significant child support reform in over a decade and took effect March 1, 2026. The legislation eliminates the infamous 93-overnight cliff that previously created all-or-nothing parenting time credits, meaning every overnight a parent spends with their child now reduces support obligations proportionally. Previously, parents with fewer than 93 overnights received zero credit; now a parent with even 50 overnights sees corresponding adjustments to their support calculations.
The new law consolidates Colorado's previous two-worksheet system into a single unified worksheet applicable to all parenting arrangements. Low-income parents benefit from a graduated "smoothing" formula under C.R.S. § 14-10-115(7)(a)(V) that prevents abrupt jumps from reduced support amounts to standard obligations. Parents earning $650 or less monthly pay a flat $10 regardless of child count. Those earning between $650 and the $1,831.83 self-support reserve pay fixed amounts: $50 for one child, $70 for two, $90 for three, $110 for four, $130 for five, or $150 for six children.
What Counts as Income for Child Support Purposes
Colorado defines adjusted gross income as gross income minus preexisting child support obligations and maintenance (alimony) actually paid to another party. Gross income encompasses wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, tips, self-employment earnings, investment income, rental income, severance pay, trust distributions, workers' compensation, disability benefits, unemployment insurance, Social Security benefits, and retirement distributions. Courts may also impute income to parents who are voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, attributing earning capacity based on work history, education, job skills, and local employment opportunities.
Deductions from gross income include Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA), union dues required for employment, and mandatory pension contributions. Health insurance premiums for the parent alone do not reduce adjusted gross income, but premiums attributable specifically to covering the children factor into the support calculation separately. Self-employed parents may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses, though courts scrutinize these deductions for reasonableness and may add back excessive expense claims.
Sample Child Support Calculations for Colorado Families
Colorado's support schedule provides specific monthly obligations based on combined adjusted gross income and number of children. For a family with $10,000 combined monthly income and two children, the basic support obligation totals approximately $2,001 according to the statutory table. If Parent A earns $6,000 (60%) and Parent B earns $4,000 (40%), Parent A would owe $1,201 and Parent B would owe $800 of the basic obligation before parenting time adjustments apply.
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | ~$900 | ~$1,250 | ~$1,450 |
| $10,000 | ~$1,400 | ~$2,001 | ~$2,350 |
| $15,000 | ~$1,800 | ~$2,600 | ~$3,100 |
| $20,000 | ~$2,100 | ~$3,100 | ~$3,700 |
Note: These figures represent approximate basic support obligations before adding childcare, health insurance, and extraordinary expenses. Actual amounts vary based on current statutory schedules. Consult the Colorado Judicial Branch child support calculator for precise figures.
Parenting time adjustments reduce obligations for each overnight a child spends with the paying parent. Under the 2026 guidelines, a parent with 105 overnights annually (roughly 29% of the year) receives proportional credit, whereas under the old law that same parent received zero overnight credit because they fell below the 93-overnight threshold. This change significantly impacts support amounts for parents with substantial but minority parenting time.
Health Insurance, Childcare, and Extraordinary Expenses
Colorado allocates health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary medical expenses proportionally between parents based on their income percentages, adding these costs to the basic support obligation. Only the marginal cost of covering children—not the parent's individual premium—counts toward the calculation. If adding children to a parent's employer-sponsored plan costs $350 monthly above individual coverage, that $350 is divided according to each parent's income share.
Work-related childcare expenses for daycare, after-school programs, and summer camps during work hours receive similar treatment. A family paying $1,500 monthly for childcare with a 60/40 income split allocates $900 to the higher-earning parent and $600 to the other. The 2026 reforms eliminated the previous $250 annual threshold for extraordinary medical expenses; cost-sharing now begins with the first dollar spent on prescriptions, medical equipment, counseling, mental health services, and specialized care for children with disabilities.
The revised statute explicitly includes costs necessary for health, protection, and quality of life for children with disabilities who qualify for long-term services, such as medically necessary equipment, home or vehicle modifications, therapeutic activities, and reasonable respite care. Household products like Band-Aids and over-the-counter medications remain excluded from the extraordinary medical expense definition.
How Parenting Time Affects Your Support Amount
Every overnight a parent spends with their child directly impacts the child support calculation under Colorado's 2026 guidelines. The elimination of the 93-overnight threshold means parents exercising any level of parenting time receive proportional credit. A parent with 182 overnights (50% custody) pays significantly less than one with 52 overnights (one night per week), even though both previously received no overnight credit under the old system if they had fewer than 93 annual overnights.
The calculation considers overnights rather than daytime hours because overnight care correlates more closely with actual childcare expenses. Parents sharing parenting time equally may each owe support to the other, with the net payment reflecting the difference between obligations. Courts can deviate from guideline amounts when parenting time substantially exceeds typical arrangements or when overnight counts inadequately reflect actual caregiving responsibilities and expenses.
Modifying Child Support in Colorado
Colorado allows child support modifications when a substantial and continuing change in circumstances produces at least a 10% difference between the current order and the recalculated amount under C.R.S. § 14-10-122. The filing fee for modification is $105 as of January 2025 (verify current fees with your local clerk). Changes must be ongoing rather than temporary; a short-term income fluctuation does not justify modification even if it temporarily exceeds 10%.
The passage of HB 25-1159 does not automatically modify existing orders, but many families will meet the 10% threshold simply because the new support tables reflect current costs rather than 2014 values. Parents seeking modification must file a motion demonstrating changed circumstances. Job loss, income increases or decreases, changes in parenting time, additional children, or significant changes in childcare or medical expenses may all justify modifications. Changes apply prospectively from the filing date; courts cannot retroactively modify support before the motion was filed.
When Child Support Ends in Colorado
Child support terminates automatically when the last or only child reaches age 19 under Colorado law, which treats 19 as the emancipation age because most children remain in high school at 18. For orders entered on or after July 1, 1997, neither party needs to file a motion for termination when the youngest child turns 19. Support continues until the end of the month following high school graduation if the child remains enrolled past age 19, but never beyond age 21.
Three circumstances allow early termination before age 19: marriage (support may be reinstated if the marriage is annulled or dissolved), active military duty (reserves do not qualify), or demonstrated self-sufficiency where the child is financially independent. Colorado courts cannot mandate parents to fund post-secondary education, though parents may voluntarily agree to college support in writing. Children with physical or mental disabilities may receive continued support beyond age 19 if ordered by the court based on the child's inability to support themselves.
Important note for families with multiple children: when one child emancipates, support for remaining children does not automatically decrease. Parents must file a modification motion to adjust the support amount; otherwise, the original order remains in effect until the youngest child turns 19.
Enforcement and Consequences for Non-Payment
Colorado enforces child support through income withholding orders (IWO) that automatically deduct support from the obligor's paycheck, garnishing up to 65% of disposable earnings for support purposes under C.R.S. § 13-32-113. The state can intercept federal and state tax refunds, place liens on property, suspend driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational permits (hunting, fishing), and report arrears to credit bureaus. Parents owing more than $2,500 face passport restrictions and potential travel limitations.
Contempt of court charges for willful non-payment can result in fines or up to 180 days in jail. Interest accrues on unpaid support at 10% annually for amounts due after July 1, 2021 (payments due before that date accrue 12% interest compounded monthly). Arrears do not expire; the balance remains due until paid in full regardless of the child's age or emancipation status. Parents experiencing legitimate financial hardship should file for modification immediately rather than accumulating arrears.
Colorado Child Support Services and Resources
The Colorado Child Support Services (CSS) program assists with establishing paternity, locating non-custodial parents, establishing and enforcing support orders, and collecting and distributing payments. CSS operates through county delegate child support enforcement units exempt from filing fees. Parents can apply for services through the state portal or contact their local CSS office.
The Colorado Judicial Branch provides a free online child support calculator at coloradojudicial.gov that generates printable worksheets using the statutory guidelines. Family Law Software, authorized by the state, produces official worksheets for court filings. Parents without attorneys can access self-help resources through the judicial branch website, including forms, instructions, and information about fee waivers for those who qualify based on income.
H2: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is child support for one child in Colorado?
Child support for one child in Colorado depends on both parents' combined adjusted gross income and parenting time distribution. At $10,000 combined monthly income, the basic support obligation approximates $1,400 for one child before adding childcare, health insurance, and extraordinary expenses. Low-income parents earning $650 or less monthly pay only $10; those between $650 and the $1,831.83 self-support reserve pay $50 for one child.
What is the maximum child support in Colorado?
Colorado applies statutory guidelines to combined monthly incomes up to $40,000 (increased from $30,000 effective March 1, 2026). For incomes exceeding this cap, courts exercise discretion based on the children's reasonable needs and lifestyle during the marriage. There is no absolute maximum; high-income cases may result in support exceeding guideline amounts when justified by circumstances.
Can I reduce child support if I have more overnight visits?
Yes, under the 2026 guidelines, every overnight reduces support proportionally. The old 93-overnight threshold is eliminated; even parents with 50 or fewer annual overnights now receive parenting time credits. Increasing overnights from 52 to 100 annually would significantly reduce the paying parent's obligation. File a modification motion demonstrating at least a 10% change in calculated support.
How long does child support last in Colorado?
Child support continues until the child reaches age 19, the state's emancipation age for support purposes. If the child remains in high school past 19, support extends until the month following graduation but never beyond age 21. Earlier termination occurs upon marriage, active military service, or demonstrated self-sufficiency. Support may extend beyond 19 for children with disabilities.
What happens if I don't pay child support in Colorado?
Colorado enforces unpaid child support through wage garnishment (up to 65% of disposable income), tax refund interception, property liens, license suspensions (driver's, professional, recreational), credit reporting, passport restrictions for arrears exceeding $2,500, and contempt proceedings with potential jail time up to 180 days. Interest accrues at 10% annually on post-2021 arrears.
Can child support be modified if I lose my job?
Yes, job loss constitutes a substantial change in circumstances warranting modification if the recalculated support differs by at least 10% from the current order. File immediately upon job loss; modifications apply prospectively from the filing date, not retroactively. Courts may impute income if the job loss appears voluntary or the parent fails to seek comparable employment.
Does Colorado require paying for college?
Colorado courts cannot mandate parents to fund post-secondary education. However, parents may voluntarily agree to college support in writing, and such agreements are enforceable as contracts. Many divorce settlements include provisions for college contributions even though the court cannot order them without parental agreement.
How do I calculate child support in Colorado?
Use the Colorado Judicial Branch's free online calculator at coloradojudicial.gov. Enter each parent's monthly adjusted gross income, number of children, annual overnights per parent, childcare costs, health insurance premiums for children, and extraordinary medical expenses. The calculator applies the statutory schedule under C.R.S. § 14-10-115 and produces a printable worksheet.
What is the self-support reserve in Colorado?
The self-support reserve (SSR) equals Colorado's minimum wage ($15.16 in 2026) multiplied by 29 hours weekly, 50 weeks annually, divided by 12 months, totaling $1,831.83 monthly in 2026. This amount represents the minimum income an obligor retains before support calculations apply. Parents earning below the SSR but above $650 pay reduced flat-rate support ($50-$150 based on child count).
When do the new child support laws take effect?
House Bill 25-1159 took effect March 1, 2026. All new orders and modifications entered on or after this date use the updated guidelines. Existing orders remain unchanged unless parents file modification motions demonstrating a 10% difference under the new calculations. The new law does not automatically trigger modifications but provides grounds when recalculated amounts differ substantially.