Colorado Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Colorado's official guidelines
About Colorado's Guidelines
Income Shares Model with overnight credit
Note: Parenting time over 92 overnights triggers shared custody calculation
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $30,000/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Colorado family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Colorado Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Colorado judiciary website. These are free, legally valid forms for your family court case.
Child Support Forms
Official petitions & worksheets
Modification Forms
Request changes to orders
Financial Disclosure
Income & expense statements
These links go to official Colorado court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Colorado Child Support Guidelines
Colorado uses the Colorado Child Support Guidelines (C.R.S. § 14-10-115) to determine child support obligations. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the family would have spent on the child if the household were intact. The obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's contribution to combined gross income.
Colorado has several distinctive features in its child support system. Colorado uses 92 overnights (25%) as the threshold for shared physical care adjustments. The state has a unique "low-income adjustment" that caps support at 10% of gross income for very low earners. Colorado requires both parents to share extraordinary medical expenses (unreimbursed over $250/year) proportionally.
Colorado bases calculations on gross income — meaning income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and other sources. The self-support reserve in Colorado is $1,400/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Colorado Calculates Child Support
Colorado follows a 7-step process under the Colorado Child Support Guidelines (C.R.S. § 14-10-115):
- 1
Determine each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
- 2
Subtract pre-existing child support obligations and maintenance (alimony) paid
- 3
Combine adjusted gross incomes and find the basic support obligation from the schedule
- 4
Each parent's share is their percentage of combined income
- 5
If the non-custodial parent has 92+ overnights, apply the shared physical care formula
- 6
Add proportional shares of work-related childcare and health insurance costs
- 7
Apply the low-income adjustment if the obligor's income is near the self-support reserve
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Colorado
Maximum Income Cap
$30,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,400/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
92 nights/yr
25% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $255 | $365 | $435 |
| $3,000 | $450 | $655 | $795 |
| $5,000 | $655 | $960 | $1,170 |
| $8,000 | $910 | $1,340 | $1,630 |
| $12,000 | $1,180 | $1,745 | $2,125 |
| $20,000 | $1,585 | $2,345 | $2,860 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Colorado
Colorado recognizes "Shared Physical Care" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 92 overnights per year (approximately 25% of the time). When this threshold is met, the standard child support formula is adjusted to reflect the increased direct expenses borne by both parents.
Under Colorado's Income Shares approach, the shared parenting adjustment typically calculates each parent's obligation based on their income share, then applies a credit or cross-calculation that accounts for the time each parent directly supports the child. The more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the greater the reduction in their payment — but the adjustment is not dollar-for-dollar because fixed costs like housing don't decrease when the child is away.
Below 92 overnights, Colorado generally treats the arrangement as a sole custody situation with standard visitation, and no custody time adjustment is applied to the child support calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Child Support
What is the overnight threshold in Colorado?
What is the income cap in Colorado?
How does Colorado handle low-income parents?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Colorado
While child support is determined by Colorado's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Colorado, more overnights with your children can reduce your support obligation. Document actual time spent and request a formal custody modification if needed.
Ensure Accurate Income Reporting
Both parents' incomes must be reported accurately. Verify that bonuses, overtime, and variable income are averaged correctly over the appropriate period.
Claim All Allowable Deductions
Colorado allows deductions for items like mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Make sure all qualifying deductions are included.
Request a Modification When Eligible
If your income has decreased by 15-25% or more, you may qualify for a modification. File promptly — changes are typically not retroactive before the filing date.
Account for Other Children
If you have other children you're legally obligated to support, this can be factored into the calculation as a deduction in most states.
Review Healthcare & Childcare Costs
Ensure shared expenses like health insurance and childcare are divided proportionally. If costs have changed, update the court.
Key Facts About Child Support in Colorado
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$30,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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