Colorado Child Support Calculator
Calculate child support in Colorado using the state's official Income Shares Model. Includes custody adjustments, health insurance credits, and childcare deductions.
Colorado divorces typically cost 26% less than the national average of $12,900.
Child Support in Colorado
- Formula
- Income Shares Model
- Income cap
- $30,000/mo
- Equal parenting presumption
- No
- Property system
- Equitable distribution
Child Support Calculator in Colorado: What You Should Know
Colorado uses the Income Shares Model applied to adjusted gross income, with a monthly income cap of approximately $30,000 combined. Above the cap, courts use discretion. Colorado's guidelines are set by statute and include specific provisions for self-employed parents. Courts impute income based on the parent's earning capacity and historical income when self-employment income is difficult to verify. Colorado also has a specific worksheet for cases with shared parenting time and a separate process for allocating extraordinary expenses such as private school tuition and ongoing medical costs.
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Locked to Colorado on this page.
Use your gross (before-tax) monthly income. If you are paid annually, divide by 12.
Use their gross (before-tax) monthly income. If they are paid annually, divide by 12.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Child Support in Colorado - Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Colorado?
Colorado uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and each parent's share of the total obligation is proportional to their share of the combined income.
Can child support be modified in Colorado?
Yes. Either parent can request a child support modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, change in custody arrangements, or changes in the child's needs. Courts in Colorado typically require a change of at least 15-20% in the support amount to justify modification.
Does custody arrangement affect child support in Colorado?
Yes. Parenting time is a significant factor in child support calculations. When a parent has the children for a substantial portion of time (typically 40% or more overnights per year), child support is adjusted to reflect the additional direct costs that parent bears.
Is there an income cap for child support in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado caps child support calculations at $30,000 per month in combined income. Income above this threshold is not automatically included in the formula, though courts may consider it in high-income cases.
How long does child support last in Colorado?
Child support in Colorado typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Support may continue longer if the child has a disability or if the parents agree to extend support for college expenses.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.