Colorado Judicial Jurisdiction (CO)

Colorado Child Support Calculator

Estimate child support under Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-10-115. Calculate baseline support, parenting time overnights, health insurance credits, and work-related childcare costs.

Legal Model: Income Shares Model
Updated for 2026 Guidelines

1. Enter Case Information

CO Rules
$ /mo
Gross or net monthly earnings before deductions
$ /mo
Included in combined guideline income
nights/yr
365 nights per year total (182.5 = 50/50 equal custody)
Common Schedule Presets:
$ /mo
Incremental monthly premium to cover the children
$ /mo
Monthly out-of-pocket work-related daycare costs
Children from prior or subsequent relationships not part of this order

Estimated Child Support

CO Estimate
Total Estimated Obligation
$0
per month
Important Notice: This figure is a computational estimate based on Colorado Revised Statutes § 14-10-115. Final child support orders may deviate based on judicial discretion, extraordinary expenses, or tax adjustments.

Understanding Colorado Child Support Guidelines

Colorado utilizes an Income Shares model under C.R.S. § 14-10-115. Shared physical custody transitions from Worksheet A to Worksheet B once the noncustodial parent reaches 93 overnights (25% of the year).

Shared Custody & Overnights in Colorado

Under Worksheet B, once a parent has 93 or more overnights, basic support is multiplied by 1.5 to account for shared household duplication, then apportioned based on overnights and parental income ratio.

Calculate Your Exact Overnights →

Official Court Worksheets & Forms

Family court filings in Colorado require completing: Form JDF 1820M (Worksheet A - Sole Physical Care) and JDF 1821M (Worksheet B - Shared Physical Care). Review official forms before filing.

View State Worksheets Directory →

Worked Calculation Example: Standard Colorado Scenario

Here is a realistic line-by-line computation for two parents in Colorado raising 2 children:

Guideline Worksheet Line Item Parent A (Paying) Parent B (Receiving) Combined / Order Total
Monthly Guideline Income $5800 $4100 $9900
Parental Income Proportion 58% 42% 100%
Basic Child Support Schedule Obligation - - $1620 /mo
Work-Related Childcare Cost - - +$550 /mo
Health & Dental Insurance Premium - - +$240 /mo
Total Combined Child Financial Needs - - $2410 /mo
Final Estimated Monthly Support Order Paid by Parent A to Parent B $1290 /month

Frequently Asked Questions in Colorado

Key legal questions regarding child support establishment, modifications, and enforcement in Colorado.

What is the overnight threshold for shared care in Colorado? +

Colorado sets the shared physical care threshold at 93 overnights per calendar year. Once 93 nights are reached, parents use Worksheet B rather than Worksheet A.

How does Colorado treat overtime and second jobs? +

C.R.S. § 14-10-115 excludes income from employment in excess of 40 hours per week or from a second job unless it was regular, continuous, and anticipated as part of the family lifestyle during the marriage.

Is there a self-support reserve in Colorado? +

Yes. Colorado protects low-income obligors with a statutory self-support reserve threshold, capping base support for qualifying low earners.

Next Useful Steps for Your Case

Take the next step in preparing your family financial documentation:

Convert Irregular Income

Standardize hourly wages, seasonal overtime, or commissions into monthly gross figures.

Launch Income Tool →

Explore 50/50 Custody

See how equal time sharing and reciprocal guidelines impact final transfer payments.

50/50 Custody Tool →

Download Official Worksheets

Find the exact PDF court forms and financial affidavits required by your court clerk.

Court Worksheets Directory →