Child Support in Colorado: How It's Calculated
Colorado uses the Income Shares Model to determine child support obligations. This guide walks through how the formula works, what factors Colorado courts consider, and how to modify or enforce an order — with links to official Colorado resources.
Income Shares Model in Colorado
Colorado follows the Income Shares Model under CRS §14-10-115. Both parents' gross incomes are combined and compared to the Child Support Schedule to determine a combined basic child support obligation, which is then divided proportionally between parents.
Colorado provides a parenting time credit when the non-residential parent has the child for 93 or more overnights per year (approximately 25.5%). Above this threshold, an overnight credit is applied to reduce the obligation. Health insurance and work-related childcare are added to the base support. Courts in Colorado also consider extraordinary medical expenses.
Key Factors Colorado Courts Consider
- Both parents' gross monthly income
- Number of children
- Overnight parenting time — 93+ overnights triggers a parenting time credit
- Child's health insurance premium
- Work-related childcare expenses
- Extraordinary medical or dental expenses
- Existing court-ordered support obligations for other children
Official Colorado Resources
Get an accurate number from an official source
Child support calculations are complex and fact-specific. For an accurate figure, use Colorado's official worksheet or consult a licensed family law attorney. This guide explains the framework — it does not produce a binding calculation.
Step-by-Step: How Colorado's Formula Works
Here is how Colorado applies the Income Shares Model to calculate a child support obligation, step by step:
1. Determine each parent's income
Colorado starts by calculating each parent's income — gross income (before taxes). The specific definition of income is set by Income Shares Model.
2. Combine incomes and find the basic obligation
Both parents' incomes are combined and compared to Colorado's child support schedule. The schedule produces a basic child support obligation based on combined income and the number of children.
3. Add health insurance and childcare costs
Health insurance premiums paid for the child and work-related childcare expenses are added to the basic obligation before it is divided between parents.
4. Divide proportionally based on income share
The total obligation is allocated between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of combined income. The parent with the higher income share bears a larger portion of the obligation.
5. Apply parenting time credits
Overnight parenting time — 93+ overnights triggers a parenting time credit parenting time credit when the non-residential parent has the child for 93 or more overnights per year (approximately 25.
Document Everything for Your Colorado Case
Colorado courts rely on documented records — parenting time logs, expense receipts, and payment histories. ReplyCalmly helps you track all of it and generate organized, exportable reports.
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