Colorado Child Support Calculator

Estimate Colorado child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Colorado follows the Income Shares model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

Colorado uses a shared physical care formula, so parenting time can change the support number once a parent reaches at least 93 overnights per year with the child. Below that threshold, the court applies the basic schedule without a shared-care adjustment. At or above 93 overnights, the worksheet shifts to a shared-care calculation that accounts for the time each parent spends with the children. More balanced 50/50 schedules usually lower the higher earner's payment, but they rarely erase it because Colorado still combines both parents' incomes first.

The cost of health insurance for the children is built into Colorado's guideline calculation. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, the basic support schedule is adjusted for the premium paid to cover the children, and that cost is shared between the parents in proportion to their incomes. The parent who actually pays the premium gets credit for it in the worksheet. Only the portion of the premium attributable to the children counts, not the parent's own coverage.

Work-related child care is treated as an add-on in Colorado. Reasonable child care costs that let a parent work or look for work are added to the basic obligation and split between the parents in proportion to their incomes, the same income-shares principle that drives the rest of the calculation. These costs are entered separately on the guideline worksheet rather than buried in the base number, so daycare and after-school care can raise the total support figure noticeably.

Colorado's guideline number is presumed correct, but a judge may deviate when applying it would be unfair or inappropriate given the child's needs and the parents' circumstances. The parent asking for a different amount carries the burden of showing why. If the court orders an amount above or below the guideline, C.R.S. § 14-10-115 requires written findings explaining the reason for the deviation, so the record shows the basis for departing from the worksheet result.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Colorado?

Colorado uses the Income Shares model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. The court first combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, then looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children. That obligation is divided between the parents in proportion to each one's share of the combined income. The worksheet then adds work-related child care, the children's health insurance premium, and any extraordinary medical costs, and adjusts for shared physical care once a parent reaches 93 overnights. The calculator on this page gives an estimate only. The official Colorado worksheet and a licensed attorney control the final number.

Is there an official Colorado child support worksheet I should use?

Yes. Colorado has an official guideline worksheet that the court actually relies on, and it is the controlling form, not any estimate you find online. You can reach the official forms through the Colorado Judicial Branch at https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/forms-and-publications/forms. The worksheet walks through combined gross income, each parent's percentage share, the shared-care overnight adjustment, and add-ons like health insurance and child care. The estimate tool on this page is a helpful starting point, but the figures a judge will sign off on come from the official worksheet. When in doubt, complete the official form and have a Colorado attorney review it.

What income counts when figuring Colorado child support?

Colorado bases support on gross income from nearly every source. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, that includes wages, salaries, bonuses, severance, self-employment income, pensions, dividends, trust income, annuities, capital gains, Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and even gifts. For a self-employed parent, reasonable and necessary business expenses are deducted before the income figure is set, which can be a contested point in a self-employment case. Because Colorado counts bonuses and overtime as income, an irregular paycheck can affect the result. The estimator here is only a guide, and the official worksheet plus legal advice control the final number.

Does 50/50 parenting time eliminate child support in Colorado?

Not automatically. Colorado applies a shared physical care formula once each parent has at least 93 overnights per year, and a true 50/50 schedule clearly qualifies. But even with equal time, the court still combines both parents' incomes first, so the higher earner usually still pays something to balance the children's standard of living between the two homes. The closer the overnight split and the incomes are, the smaller the payment tends to be. To see how your specific overnights change the figure, run the numbers through the official Colorado worksheet, since the on-page calculator is only an estimate.

What happens to my Colorado child support if a parent is unemployed or underemployed?

A parent cannot lower support simply by quitting work or taking a low-paying job. Colorado courts can impute income, meaning they assign earning potential based on work history, education, and job opportunities rather than the parent's actual current pay. Genuine, involuntary unemployment is treated differently from a voluntary choice to earn less. Unemployment benefits themselves count as gross income under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. If your situation has changed, the Colorado Division of Child Support Services or the district court can review the order. This page offers an estimate only, so confirm imputed-income issues with a licensed attorney.

When can a Colorado child support order be modified?

Either parent can ask to change support when circumstances shift. In Colorado, a 10% variance between the existing order and a fresh guideline calculation creates a presumption of a substantial and continuing change, which is the usual trigger for modification. You can file a verified motion to modify in district court, or request a review through the Colorado Division of Child Support Services. Common reasons include a real change in either parent's income, a change in the overnight schedule, or new child care or insurance costs. Run the new numbers on the official worksheet first, and treat this page's estimate as a starting point only.

When does child support end in Colorado?

Support in Colorado generally ends at age 19, the state's statutory age of emancipation. There are important exceptions. If the child is still in high school, support can continue until graduation but not past age 21. If a child has a mental or physical disability that began before age 19, support can continue indefinitely. An order does not always stop on its own, so check the wording of your order and the Colorado guideline rules. Because timing affects what you owe, verify the end date against C.R.S. § 14-10-115 and with a licensed Colorado attorney rather than relying on this estimate.