How Colorado Calculates Child Support
Colorado uses the Income Shares model to determine child support obligations. This page explains the guidelines, formula, and key factors.
Model Type
Income Shares
Colorado's HB 25-1159 (signed May 2025) replaces the previous rule -- which required at least 93 overnights a year before any parenting-time credit applied -- with a graduated Parenting Time Table, effective for calculations on or after March 1, 2026: credit now starts from a parent's first overnight and scales up to a full 50% credit at equal (182.5-night) parenting time.
Income Basis & Definitions
gross
Selects the base-support amount from the schedule/table.
Source: JDF 1822 instructions/worksheet linksParent A gross income used by guideline.
Source: Income definition / worksheet income line(s)Parent B gross income used by guideline.
Source: Income definition / worksheet income line(s)Parenting Time Handling
Calculator selects custody model/worksheet (sole/shared/split/joint) and applies corresponding formula.
Source: Custody/worksheet applicability and parenting-time adjustmentParenting time entered as overnights or time-share variable used by the worksheet.
Source: Parenting time input field(s) / adjustmentDeductions & Adjustments
Adjustments/credits for other dependents or court-ordered support for other children (state-specific).
Source: Other children / preexisting support adjustmentIf the guideline adjusts for spousal support (paid/received), capture amount.
Source: Spousal support (alimony/maintenance) adjustmentAdd-Ons & Allocation
Work-related childcare costs added and allocated between parents.
Source: Childcare add-onChild’s health insurance premium share and uninsured/unreimbursed medical allocation.
Source: Medical support (insurance + uninsured medical)Caps, Minimums & Deviations
If guideline table caps at an income level, above-cap support is typically discretionary with findings.
Source: Maximum schedule income / above-cap handlingDeviation allowed for enumerated factors; requires findings (court-determined).
Source: Deviation factors / findings