Colorado's most sweeping child support reform in over a decade took effect on March 1, 2026, replacing the old two-worksheet system under C.R.S. § 14-10-115 with a single graduated formula. The new guidelines eliminate the controversial 93-overnight cliff, raise the combined income cap from $30,000 to $40,000 per month, and introduce a self-support reserve of $1,831.83 per month — changes that Family Law Software reports will increase most child support orders statewide.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What changed | Colorado replaced its two-worksheet child support system with a single graduated formula under C.R.S. § 14-10-115 |
| Effective date | March 1, 2026 |
| 93-overnight cliff | Eliminated — parenting time credit begins at the first overnight |
| Income cap | Raised from $30,000 to $40,000 combined monthly gross income |
| Self-support reserve | New floor of $1,831.83/month (125% of 2025 federal poverty level for one person) |
| Expected impact | Most existing child support orders will increase under the new calculation |
The 93-Overnight Cliff Is Gone, and That Changes Everything
The single biggest change in Colorado's new child support guidelines is the elimination of the 93-overnight threshold that previously determined which of two worksheets applied to a case. Under the old system, a parent with fewer than 93 overnights per year (roughly 25% parenting time) used Worksheet A, which provided no credit for parenting time. A parent with 93 or more overnights used Worksheet B, which applied a multiplier reducing the obligation based on shared time.
This binary system created perverse incentives. Parents fought bitterly over the 92nd and 93rd overnight because crossing that threshold could swing a support obligation by hundreds of dollars per month. A parent with 92 overnights received zero credit for nearly a quarter of the year spent caring for a child. A parent with 93 overnights suddenly received a substantial reduction.
The new graduated formula under C.R.S. § 14-10-115 credits parenting time proportionally starting from the very first overnight. Every additional overnight a parent exercises reduces the support obligation incrementally, creating a smooth curve rather than a cliff. According to Family Law Software's analysis, this approach aligns Colorado with the growing national trend toward continuous parenting-time adjustments that roughly 15 states have now adopted.
How Colorado's New Formula Actually Works
The revised C.R.S. § 14-10-115 consolidates everything into a single worksheet. Here is what changed in the calculation:
The combined income cap rose from $30,000 to $40,000 per month in gross income. For families earning above $40,000 combined, courts retain discretion to set support based on the children's reasonable needs — but the guideline schedule now covers a wider band of earners. A family with combined monthly income of $35,000 that previously fell outside the guidelines and required a discretionary analysis now has a presumptive guideline amount.
The new self-support reserve sets a floor of $1,831.83 per month (125% of the 2025 federal poverty guideline for a single person) below which the obligor's income cannot be reduced by a child support order. This protects low-income parents from orders that would push them below subsistence level. If the standard calculation would reduce the paying parent's income below $1,831.83 per month, the court must adjust the order downward.
The graduated parenting-time credit replaces the old Worksheet A/Worksheet B split. Under the new formula, the adjustment for shared parenting time is continuous. A parent exercising 50 overnights per year receives a proportional credit — not zero, as under the old Worksheet A. A parent exercising 182 overnights (50/50 custody) receives the maximum credit, and the adjustment scales linearly between those endpoints.
What This Means for Existing Orders
Colorado parents with existing child support orders should understand that the new guidelines do not automatically modify current orders. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-122, a party must file a motion to modify child support and demonstrate that the new guidelines produce an amount at least 10% different from the current order.
Here is the practical reality: Family Law Software projects that most recalculated orders will be higher under the new formula. The raised income cap, the new base schedule amounts, and the graduated credit system combine to produce larger obligations in many common scenarios — particularly for cases where the paying parent previously benefited from the 93-overnight Worksheet B reduction without exercising a full 50/50 schedule.
Parents currently paying under orders calculated with Worksheet A (fewer than 93 overnights) may see smaller changes, since the old system already provided no parenting-time credit for that group. The biggest shifts will likely hit families in the 93-to-130-overnight range who previously received Worksheet B reductions that the new graduated formula calculates differently.
Practical Takeaways for Colorado Parents
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Run the new numbers now. Use the updated Colorado child support calculator to see how the March 1 formula affects your situation. If the result differs by 10% or more from your current order, you may have grounds for modification under C.R.S. § 14-10-122. Our Colorado child support calculator can help you estimate the new amount.
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Stop fixating on the 93-overnight number. If you are currently negotiating a parenting plan, the old incentive to fight over the 92nd or 93rd overnight no longer exists. Every overnight now matters equally from a support-calculation standpoint, which should allow parents to focus on what actually works for their children.
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Review your income documentation. With the cap rising from $30,000 to $40,000 in combined monthly income, some high-earning families that previously argued for discretionary deviation may now fall within the guideline range. Accurate income disclosure under C.R.S. § 14-10-115 is more important than ever.
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Understand the self-support reserve. If you earn near or below $1,831.83 per month after taxes, the new reserve provision may limit your obligation. This applies to both new orders and modifications.
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Do not wait to file if modification benefits you. Modifications take effect from the date of filing, not the date a judge signs the order. If the new formula produces a 10% difference in your favor, filing promptly under C.R.S. § 14-10-122 preserves your rights from that date forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the new Colorado child support formula automatically change my existing order?
No. Existing child support orders remain in effect until a party files a motion to modify under C.R.S. § 14-10-122. The court will apply the new formula only if the recalculated amount differs by at least 10% from the current order. Neither parent's obligation changes without a court proceeding.
How much will child support increase under Colorado's 2026 guidelines?
The increase depends on each family's specific income and parenting-time split. Cases previously calculated under Worksheet B (93+ overnights) will see the largest changes because the new graduated formula calculates shared-time credits differently. Family Law Software projects that the majority of recalculated orders will produce higher amounts than the old two-worksheet system.
What is the new self-support reserve of $1,831.83 per month in Colorado?
The self-support reserve is a new protection ensuring that a child support order cannot reduce the paying parent's income below $1,831.83 per month, which equals 125% of the 2025 federal poverty guideline for one person. If the standard guideline calculation would push the obligor below this threshold, the court must reduce the support amount accordingly.
When should I file to modify my Colorado child support order?
File as soon as you confirm the new formula produces a 10% or greater difference from your current order. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-122, modifications are effective from the filing date, not the date the judge rules. Delaying costs you money for every month between when you could have filed and when you actually do.
Does the $40,000 income cap mean courts cannot order more support for high earners?
No. The $40,000 combined monthly gross income cap sets the upper boundary of the guideline schedule. For families earning above $40,000 per month combined, courts retain discretion to set child support based on the children's reasonable needs, the family's standard of living, and other factors. The cap simply means the statutory formula no longer applies above that threshold.
Colorado's child support overhaul represents a genuine modernization of a system that created unnecessary conflict and inequitable outcomes. If you have questions about how the March 1, 2026 changes affect your specific situation, connect with a Colorado family law attorney who can run the numbers and advise on next steps.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.