Colorado Child Support Calculator

How Colorado Calculates Child Support

Colorado calculates child support based on what you and the other parent would have spent on your children if you were still together. Governed by C.R.S. § 14-10-115, the state combines both your gross incomes, determines a total support obligation from a statutory schedule, and then divides that obligation between you in proportion to your respective incomes.

Understanding Shared Custody Adjustments

In Colorado, shared physical care significantly changes the child support calculation when a parent has the children for at least 93 overnights per year. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, reaching this threshold triggers a different formula (Worksheet B) which increases the basic support obligation by 50% and then credits each parent for the time they spend with the children, often resulting in a lower transfer payment.

Calculate Your Support

✓ Verified for 2026 Guidelines • Reviewed October 2026 by Harmoney

Colorado Child Support Guidelines at a Glance

Guideline Model Income Shares Model
Governing Legal Authority C.R.S. § 14-10-115
Shared Custody Threshold 93 Overnights
Age Support Ends Age 19 (or end of month after high school graduation)
Modification Standard 10% Change in Support Amount

Frequently Asked Questions


At what age does child support end in CO?

Child support in Colorado generally ends when a child turns 19 or finishes high school, whichever occurs later. Governed by C.R.S. § 14-10-115(13), support continues until the child's 19th birthday unless they are still in high school, in which case it continues until the end of the month following graduation. Parents can agree to extend support for college, or it can be continued indefinitely for a disabled child.

How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in CO?

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, a Colorado court will impute a potential income to them based on their work history, qualifications, and local job opportunities. This practice, authorized under C.R.S. § 14-10-115(5)(b), ensures support is calculated based on what the parent could be earning, typically from a full-time job. Income is generally not imputed if a parent is disabled or caring for a young child of the parties.

How do I modify a child support order in CO?

You can modify a child support order in Colorado by proving a substantial and continuing change in circumstances that results in at least a 10% change in the monthly support amount. As outlined in C.R.S. § 14-10-122, this 10% change creates a legal presumption that the current order is unfair and should be modified. Common reasons include significant changes in income, parenting time, or childcare and health insurance costs.

Does CO child support cover college expenses?

No, Colorado courts cannot order a parent to pay for college expenses unless the parents have a prior written agreement to do so. Under C.R.S. § 14-10-115, the court's authority to order child support ends when the child reaches the age of majority. Therefore, any support for post-secondary education is a private contractual matter between the parents, not a part of the state's child support guidelines.

How does CO handle health insurance and childcare costs?

Health insurance premiums and necessary work-related childcare costs are added to the basic child support obligation and are divided between parents in proportion to their incomes. C.R.S. § 14-10-115 mandates these expenses be shared, and the parent who directly pays them typically receives a credit in the calculation to account for the other parent's share of the cost.