Colorado Child Support — Calculator, Laws & Guide (2026)

Understanding Colorado child support laws helps both custodial and non-custodial parents know their rights and obligations. This comprehensive Colorado child support guide covers how payments are calculated, what income counts, when support can be modified, and how orders are enforced. Whether you are going through a divorce, seeking a modification, or dealing with non-payment, this guide explains Colorado’s child support system in plain language.

Verified against Colorado statutes and federal OCSE guidelines as of April 2026.

Colorado Child Support Overview

Colorado uses the income shares model for calculating child support. This model is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family were intact. Both parents’ incomes are combined, and the support obligation is divided proportionally.

Colorado uses the Income Shares Model under C.R.S. 14-10-115. Both parents’ adjusted gross incomes are combined and applied to a schedule of basic child support obligations that varies by combined income and number of children. The obligation is then split in proportion to each parent’s share of combined income. Two worksheets exist: Worksheet A (Sole Physical Care) applies when one parent has 92 or fewer overnights per year; Worksheet B (Shared Physical Care) applies when both parents have more than 92 overnights. Under shared physical care, the basic obligation is multiplied by 1.50 to account for duplicated household expenses. HB25-1159 (partially effective March 1, 2026) updated the guidelines schedule, replaced the prior parenting time credit with a formula that credits parents for all overnights, and revised the low-income adjustment to a self-support reserve based on the state minimum wage.

How Colorado Calculates Child Support

The Colorado child support calculation considers multiple factors:

1. Determine each parent’s gross income — wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, investment income, and other sources.
2. Calculate combined parental income — add both parents’ adjusted gross incomes together.
3. Apply the guideline schedule — Colorado’s guidelines provide a base support amount based on combined income and number of children.
4. Prorate between parents — each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income.
5. Add healthcare and childcare costs — these are added to the base amount and divided proportionally.
6. Apply adjustments — parenting time credits, other child obligations, and special circumstances may adjust the final amount.

Online calculator: Use our child support estimator below to calculate your estimated obligation.

What Counts as Income in Colorado

Gross income. Includes: salaries, wages (including tips declared or imputed to minimum wage), commissions, bonuses, independent contractor payments, self-employment income, dividends, pensions, retirement benefits, royalties, rents, interest, trust income, annuities, capital gains, severance pay, and unemployment benefits. For self-employment income, ordinary and necessary business expenses are deducted but accelerated depreciation and investment tax credits are excluded. Exclusions: voluntary overtime or secondary job income beyond a 40-hour workweek, child support received for other children, and certain public assistance benefits (TANF, SSI, food stamps).

Imputed income: YES. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may determine potential income and impute it based on earning capacity, work history, qualifications, and job opportunities. No income is imputed to a parent who is mentally or physically incapable of working.

Deviation factors: Courts may deviate from guidelines when strict application would be inequitable, unjust, or inappropriate. Enumerated factors include: (1) one parent spending substantially more time with the child than overnights reflect, (2) extraordinary medical expenses for either parent or a current spouse, (3) extraordinary costs associated with parenting time (e.g., long-distance travel), (4) gross disparity in income between parents, (5) ownership of a substantial non-income-producing asset, (6) consistent overtime not included in gross income, (7) income from employment beyond a 40-hour workweek. The court must provide written or oral findings specifying reasons for deviation and the presumed guideline amount. The existence of a listed factor does not require deviation, and the court may deviate even if no listed factor applies.

Healthcare & Childcare in Colorado Child Support

Health insurance: Colorado law requires health insurance to be addressed in every child support order. One parent is designated as the party required to provide health coverage for the children. The cost of health insurance premiums attributable to the children is added to the basic child support obligation and allocated between parents proportionally. Extraordinary unreimbursed medical expenses are also factored into the support calculation. If neither parent has access to insurance at a reasonable cost, the court may order both parents to share uninsured medical costs.

Childcare costs: Work-related and education-related childcare costs paid by either parent are added to the basic child support obligation and allocated between parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes. The parent claiming childcare expenses must provide proof of payment. Only childcare that is necessary for employment or education qualifies — not general babysitting or discretionary care.

When Does Colorado Child Support End?

In Colorado, child support generally ends when the child reaches 19. Child support ends when the child turns 19 (emancipation). Exceptions: if the child is still in high school or an equivalent program at age 19, support continues until the end of the month following graduation but not beyond age 21. Support may also continue past 19 if both parties agree in a written stipulation, or if the child is mentally or physically disabled and the court orders continued support.. However, support may continue or end earlier based on:

• The child graduates from high school (if still a minor)
• The child becomes emancipated (marriage, military service, self-supporting)
• The child has special needs requiring ongoing support
• College support: YES. Under C.R.S. 14-10-115(15), the court may order postsecondary education support. Parents contribute proportionally based on their adjusted gross incomes. The amount is capped at the schedule of basic child support obligations for the number of children receiving postsecondary education. Parties may also voluntarily agree to postsecondary education expenses in a written stipulation. This provision has been available since July 1, 1997.

Modifying Colorado Child Support

When to modify: A modification requires a showing of changed circumstances that are substantial and continuing, resulting in at least a 10 percent change in the child support amount. A change in medical coverage for the children is always sufficient grounds for modification regardless of the 10 percent threshold. The governing statute is C.R.S. 14-10-122.

How to modify: Either parent may request a modification through the Colorado Child Support Services (CSS) program at the county level or by filing a motion directly with the district court. CSS can conduct an administrative review and adjustment. If the parties cannot agree, the matter proceeds to court. Forms are available through the Colorado Judicial Branch website. There is no mandatory waiting period between modifications — an order can be modified as often as necessary if the statutory standard is met.

Either parent can request a modification. Changes are typically not retroactive to before the date of filing the modification request.

Colorado Child Support Enforcement

Colorado has multiple tools to enforce child support orders when a parent fails to pay:

• Income withholding (wage garnishment) through employer; state and federal tax refund intercept; driver’s license suspension; professional and occupational license suspension; recreational license suspension; bank account garnishment (including joint accounts); credit bureau reporting; contempt of court proceedings (can result in fines or jail); liens on real and personal property; passport denial (federal
• for arrears over 2500); unemployment benefit intercept; workers’ compensation intercept.

Contact Colorado Child Support Services (CSS), a program within the Colorado Department of Human Services. CSS supervises the statewide system, but individual cases are managed at the county level by county departments of human/social services. at https://childsupport.state.co.us/ for enforcement assistance.

Additional Colorado rules: (1) HB25-1159 (2025 session, Section 2 effective March 1, 2026): Updated the child support guidelines schedule, replaced the prior parenting time credit with a new formula crediting all overnights, and changed the low-income adjustment from a fixed 1500 per month threshold to a self-support reserve based on state minimum wage (minimum wage x 40 hours x 52 weeks / 12 months). Low-income obligors retain income up to the self-support reserve and allocate 80 to 95 percent of remaining income to child support depending on number of children. (2) Colorado uses two separate worksheets: Worksheet A for sole physical care (one parent has 92 or fewer overnights) and Worksheet B for shared physical care (both parents have more than 92 overnights). (3) Shared physical care multiplier: When Worksheet B applies, the basic child support obligation is multiplied by 1.50 to account for duplicated expenses in two households. (4) The Child Support Commission, established under C.R.S. 14-10-115, reviews the guidelines every four years and recommends legislative updates.

Official Sources & Resources

• Colorado Child Support Services (CSS), a program within the Colorado Department of Human Services. CSS supervises the statewide system, but individual cases are managed at the county level by county departments of human/social services.: https://childsupport.state.co.us/
• Federal OCSE: acf.hhs.gov/css
• Cornell LII — Child Support: law.cornell.edu
• Colorado Guidelines Statute: C.R.S. 14-10-115 (Child support guidelines — purpose — determination of income — schedule of basic child support obligations — adjustments to basic child support — additional guidelines — child support commission — definitions). Modification governed by C.R.S. 14-10-122.

Last verified April 2026. Contact us if you notice outdated information.

Estimate Your Child Support

Use our free child support estimator to calculate estimated monthly payments. Enter both parents’ incomes, number of children, and custody arrangement to see a personalized breakdown based on your state’s formula.

Related Guides

• Colorado Divorce Process Guide
• Colorado Child Custody Guide
• Colorado Alimony Guide
• All Child Support Guides