Colorado Paycheck Calculator 2026 — 4.4% Flat Tax, FAMLI 0.44%, Denver Local Tax
Calculate your exact Colorado take-home pay with the 4.4% flat state tax, FAMLI leave tax (0.44%), and local occupational taxes (Denver $5.75/month, Glendale $5, Greenwood Village $2, Sheridan $3). Colorado uses your federal taxable income as the base — there’s no separate state standard deduction. Free, instant, no signup required.
★ PaycheckCalculator.com · 2026 Tax Year
Colorado Paycheck
Calculator 2026
Accurate take-home pay with CO state tax, FAMLI & local taxes — verified against Colorado DOR and IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32
4.4% Flat State Tax
$16,100 / $32,200 Deduction
FAMLI 0.44%
Denver $5.75 Local Tax
No Personal Exemption
No SDI · No SS Tax
Min Wage $15.16/hr
Free & No Signup
Pay Type & Income
Location & Filing Status
Used for federal child tax credit ($2,200/child in 2026) only. Colorado has no personal exemption.
Pre-Tax Deductions
Annual Net Take-Home Pay
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Per Paycheck
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Weekly
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Monthly
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Gross Annual
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Colorado 2026: 4.4% flat state income tax (verified via DR 1098). Standard deduction: $16,100 (single/MFS) / $32,200 (married jointly) / $24,150 (HOH) — mirrors the federal amount. No personal exemption. Denver local tax: $5.75/month. FAMLI: 0.44% employee share (total premium 0.88%) on wages up to $184,500. No SDI. No tax on Social Security. Minimum wage: $15.16/hr statewide ($19.29/hr in Denver).
What's a TABOR refund? Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights requires the state to refund tax revenue collected above a constitutional cap. This refund is separate from your paycheck — it shows up when you file your annual CO tax return, not in your regular withholding. For 2026, projected refunds are small to zero for most filers due to lower state revenue growth.
Tax Breakdown (Annual)
Effective Rates
Effective Federal Income Tax
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Colorado State Tax
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Total Tax Rate
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Take-Home % of Gross
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COLORADO TAX RATE — 4.4% FLAT TAX EXPLAINED
Colorado State Income Tax: Flat Rate Structure for 2026
Colorado utilizes a simplified flat-rate system for state income tax. For the 2026 tax year, the rate is 4.4%, regardless of whether your income is $40,000 or $400,000. There are no progressive tax brackets. The calculation starts from your federal taxable income (after the federal standard deduction is applied) and multiplies it by the flat rate of 4.4%.
Examples: Calculating Colorado State Tax
Single Filer ($60,000 Salary):
Federal Standard Deduction (2026): $16,100
Colorado Taxable Income: $43,900
Colorado Tax (4.4%): $1,932
Married Filing Jointly ($80,000 Salary):
Federal Standard Deduction (2026): $32,200
Colorado Taxable Income: $47,800
Colorado Tax (4.4%): $2,103
Single Filer ($100,000 Salary):
Federal Standard Deduction (2026): $16,100
Colorado Taxable Income: $83,900
Colorado Tax (4.4%): $3,692
Single Filer ($200,000 Salary):
Colorado Taxable Income: $183,900
Colorado Tax (4.4%): $8,092
How Colorado’s 4.4% Rate Compares
Colorado remains competitive compared to other states with flat income tax structures:
| State | 2026 Tax Rate |
| Arizona | 2.5% |
| Michigan | 4.25% |
| Colorado | 4.4% |
| Utah | 4.65% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% |
| Illinois | 4.95% |
TABOR Law and Rate History
Colorado’s flat tax structure is mandated by the TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights) law of 1992, which requires a single rate for all income levels. The tax rate has trended downward over the past few years, moving from 4.55% in 2020 and 4.5% in 2021 to the current 4.4%.
Full Paycheck Deductions
Keep in mind that the 4.4% flat rate only covers state income tax. Your overall take-home pay is also affected by these additional deductions:
Federal Income Tax: Based on 2026 brackets.
Social Security: 6.2% (up to $184,500 wage base for 2026).
Medicare: 1.45% of gross pay.
FAMLI: 0.44% for state leave insurance.
Local Taxes: Applicable if you work in specific cities like Denver, Glendale, Greenwood Village, or Sheridan.
Our calculator automatically accounts for all these federal, state, and local factors to provide you with an accurate take-home pay estimate.
Colorado Local Tax — Denver $5.75, Glendale $5, Greenwood Village $2, Sheridan $3
Most Colorado cities charge zero local tax. Four cities charge a small flat monthly fee (not a percentage) — officially called an Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT).
| City | Employee Tax | Monthly Earnings Threshold | Annual Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $5.75/month | Over $500/month | ~$69/year |
| Glendale | $5/month | Over $750/month | ~$60/year |
| Greenwood Village | $2/month | Over $250/month | ~$24/year |
| Sheridan | $3/month | No threshold | ~$36/year |
The tax is based on where you physically work, not where you live or where your employer is headquartered. If you work fully remote from home outside these cities, you don’t owe it — even if your employer’s office is in Denver.
Aurora no longer has this tax. Aurora repealed its OPT effective January 1, 2025 — if you work in Aurora, you pay $0 local tax now.
All other Colorado cities — Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Boulder, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Pueblo, Centennial, Longmont — have zero local income tax.
Working in more than one of these cities? You may owe OPT to each city separately for the days worked there, though an employee only owes the Denver employee-OPT once even with multiple Denver employers.
Our calculator above applies the correct monthly OPT automatically based on the work city you select.
Colorado FAMLI Tax — 0.44% Explained 2026
What is FAMLI? A state-run paid leave program. You contribute a small amount from every paycheck; if you need leave for a serious health condition, to care for a family member, or to bond with a new child, the program pays you a portion of your wages.
2026 employee rate: 0.44% of your gross wages — down from the earlier 0.9% combined rate. The total premium is 0.88%, split evenly: 0.44% paid by you, 0.44% paid by your employer.
Wage cap: You only pay on the first $184,500 of annual earnings (matches the 2026 Social Security wage base). Above that, no more FAMLI is withheld.
Examples (employee share only):
| Annual Salary | FAMLI Tax/Year | Per Biweekly Paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $264 | $10.15 |
| $100,000 | $440 | $16.92 |
| $150,000 | $660 | $25.38 |
| $200,000 (capped at $184,500) | $812 | $31.22 |
Who pays it? All Colorado W-2 employees — full-time, part-time, and seasonal. Self-employed workers can opt in voluntarily but aren’t required to.
What it covers: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year (16 weeks for pregnancy/childbirth complications). A new benefit added for 2026: up to 12 additional weeks of Neonatal Care Leave for parents of infants in a NICU. Benefits replace 50–90% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of about $1,381/week.
Waiting period: The first 7 days of leave are unpaid before benefits begin.
Small employer note: Businesses with 9 or fewer employees don’t pay the employer’s 0.44% share, but must still withhold and remit the employee’s 0.44%.
Our calculator above applies the correct 0.44% employee FAMLI rate, capped at $184,500.
Colorado TABOR Refund 2026 — What It Is and What You'll Actually Get
Understanding Colorado’s TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights)
Approved by voters in 1992, TABOR caps the amount of revenue the state of Colorado can collect and spend each year. When actual state revenue exceeds this constitutional cap, the state is legally required to refund the excess amount to taxpayers rather than retaining it.
Important 2026 Update: No Expected Refund
For the 2026 tax year (for returns filed in 2027), state economists project that Colorado will fall below the TABOR cap. Consequently, no general TABOR refund is expected this year. This marks the first time since the pandemic that revenue has not exceeded the cap, a trend driven by a slowing economy and reduced state tax revenue.
Recent TABOR Refund History
While no refund is projected for 2026, Colorado taxpayers have historically received varied refunds based on the surplus revenue collected in previous years. Below is the recent history for single filers:
| Tax Year | Refund Range (Single) | Refund Range (Joint) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $800 (flat) | $1,600 (flat) |
| 2023 | $800 (flat) | $1,600 (flat) |
| 2024 (filed 2025) | $181 – $571 | $362 – $1,142 |
| 2025 (filed spring 2026) | $20 – $62 | $40 – $124 |
| 2026 (filed 2027) | $0 (projected) | $0 (projected) |
| 2027 (filed 2028) | $47 – $300 (projected) | Higher tier, projected |
Why Is There a Drop in TABOR Refunds?
The decline in projected refunds is primarily due to two factors:
Slowing Revenue Growth: The state’s overall revenue growth has decelerated.
Expansion of Tax Credits: Colorado has expanded other programs, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Family Affordability Tax Credit. Because these programs draw from the same surplus pool as TABOR, there is less remaining revenue available for a general refund to all taxpayers.
How TABOR Refunds Are Paid Out
Automatic Calculation: No separate application is required. If a refund is triggered, it is calculated automatically on your Colorado income tax return (Form DR 0104).
Eligibility: You must have lived in Colorado for the full tax year and filed a state return.
Part-Year Residents: If you were a part-year resident, you are still eligible for a refund, but the amount will be prorated based on the time you spent in the state.
The Bottom Line for Your Paycheck
TABOR refunds do not impact your regular paycheck withholding. This is a once-a-year credit or refund processed only at tax filing time. For the 2026 tax year, filers should expect a $0 TABOR refund.
Colorado Minimum Wage 2026 — $15.16/hr State, Up to $19.29/hr in Denver
Colorado Minimum Wage Overview
The statewide minimum wage for Colorado is $15.16 per hour for 2026, up from $14.81 in 2025. This rate is effective as of January 1, 2026, and applies to all full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers.
Local Minimum Wages
Several Colorado cities have established higher minimum wage ordinances that override the state rate. Employers are legally required to pay the higher of the two rates.
| City | Minimum Wage | Tipped Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $19.29/hr | $16.27/hr |
| Edgewater | $18.17/hr | $13.50/hr |
| Boulder (City & County) | $16.82/hr | — |
| Rest of Colorado | $15.16/hr | $12.14/hr |
Tipped Employees and Salaried Exemptions
Tipped Employees (Statewide): The base wage is $12.14/hr with a $3.02 tip credit. If total earnings (base + tips) do not reach the required minimum wage, the employer is legally obligated to make up the difference.
Salaried Exempt Threshold: To be classified as an exempt employee (not eligible for overtime) in an executive, administrative, or professional role, you must earn at least $1,111.23 per week ($57,784 per year) in 2026.
Take-Home Pay: Quick Examples
Statewide Minimum Wage ($15.16/hr):
Annual Gross: ~$31,533
Estimated Annual Take-Home: ~$26,000–$27,000 (~$500–$520/week).
Denver Minimum Wage ($19.29/hr):
Annual Gross: ~$40,123
Estimated Annual Take-Home: ~$32,500–$33,500 (~$625–$645/week).
Annual Adjustments
Colorado’s minimum wage is adjusted every January 1 based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). By law, the rate is designed to either increase or remain flat; it cannot be lowered.
Colorado No SDI, and Social Security Tax Rules 2026
Colorado Disability Insurance and SDI Overview
Colorado does not charge a State Disability Insurance (SDI) tax. While some states like California (1.3%), New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and New York impose this tax, Colorado workers pay $0 for SDI.
Comparison: Colorado SDI vs. California SDI
Instead of SDI, Colorado utilizes the FAMLI program, which requires a 0.44% employee contribution. This program is generally more cost-effective than California’s SDI and offers broader coverage, including family leave in addition to personal medical leave.
| Salary | CA SDI Cost (1.3%) | Colorado SDI Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $780/year | $0 |
| $100,000 | $1,300/year | $0 |
| $150,000 | $1,950/year | $0 |
Is Social Security Taxed in Colorado?
Colorado includes Social Security benefits in taxable income but provides significant age-based subtractions. For most retirees, this effectively results in zero state tax on those benefits.
| Your Age | Colorado Tax on Social Security |
| 65 or older | Full subtraction: You pay $0 state tax on Social Security (no income limit). |
| 55–64 | Full subtraction: If AGI ≤ $75,000 (single) or $95,000 (joint). Above that, capped at a $20,000 combined pension/Social Security subtraction. |
| Under 55 | Generally taxed as regular income at 4.4% (applies mainly to disability/survivor beneficiaries). |
Taxation of Other Retirement Income
Pensions, 401(k) plans, and IRA withdrawals are subject to separate subtraction limits:
Age 65+: Up to $24,000 can be subtracted.
Age 55–64: Up to $20,000 can be subtracted.
Anything exceeding these limits is taxed at the flat state rate of 4.4%.
Summary of States Taxing Social Security (2026)
Colorado is one of several states that tax Social Security benefits, joining Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. However, Colorado’s rules remain among the most generous for retirees, particularly those aged 65 and older.
Real Example — $100,000 Salary in Colorado (Denver), 2026
Meet Kevin, who lives and works in Denver. He earns $100,000 per year, is single with no dependents, contributes 5% to his 401k, and pays $150 per paycheck for health insurance. He is paid biweekly (26 paychecks per year).
Step 1 — Gross Pay Per Paycheck
Annual Salary: $100,000
Pay Frequency: 26 paychecks per year
Gross Pay per Paycheck: $3,846.15
Step 2 — Pre-Tax Deductions
401k Contribution (5%): $192.31
Health Insurance: $150.00
Total Pre-Tax Deductions: $342.31 per paycheck
Step 3 — Federal Income Tax
Annual Taxable Gross (after deductions): $91,100
Less Federal Standard Deduction (2026): $16,100
Federal Taxable Income: $75,000
Annual Federal Tax Calculation:
10% on first $12,400 = $1,240
12% on $12,401 – $49,840 = $4,492.80
22% on $49,841 – $75,000 = $5,535.20
Total Annual Federal Tax: $11,268 ($433.38 per paycheck)
Step 4 — Colorado State Tax
Colorado uses federal taxable income as its base.
Colorado Taxable Income: $75,000
State Tax Rate: 4.4%
Total Annual Colorado Tax: $3,300 ($126.92 per paycheck)
Step 5 — Denver Local Tax
Denver Occupational Privilege Tax: $5.75/month
Annual Total: $69
Per Paycheck Deduction: $2.65
Step 6 — Colorado FAMLI (0.44%)
Calculation: $3,846.15 × 0.44%
Per Paycheck Deduction: $16.92
Step 7 — Social Security & Medicare
Social Security (6.2%): $238.46 per paycheck
Medicare (1.45%): $55.77 per paycheck
Step 8 — Net Take-Home Pay Breakdown
| Item | Amount per Paycheck |
| Gross Pay | $3,846.15 |
| Less: Pre-tax deductions | -$342.31 |
| Less: Federal income tax | -$433.38 |
| Less: Colorado state tax | -$126.92 |
| Less: Denver local tax | -$2.65 |
| Less: Colorado FAMLI | -$16.92 |
| Less: Social Security | -$238.46 |
| Less: Medicare | -$55.77 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | ≈ $2,629.74 |
Summary
Kevin takes home about $2,630 per paycheck. This represents approximately 68.4% of his gross pay, or roughly $68,374 per year after all taxes, retirement contributions, and insurance premiums.
Try your own numbers in the calculator above—change the salary, filing status, city, or 401k percentage to see your exact result instantly.
What-If Scenarios — Marriage, Kids, 401k, and City Changes
Kevin’s example (single, no kids, Denver, 5% 401k) is one situation. Here’s how key changes affect his take-home pay, using the corrected 2026 numbers—no fake Colorado standard deduction, FAMLI at 0.44%, and the current $2,200 federal child tax credit.
Scenario 1 — Married Filing Jointly (Same $100,000 Household Income)
Federal standard deduction jumps to $32,200 (from $16,100), lowering Kevin’s taxable income and tax bracket significantly.
Net pay: $2,837.59 per paycheck (+$207.85 vs. single Kevin, ~$5,404/year more).
Scenario 2 — Married With Two Children
Adds the 2026 child tax credit of $2,200 per child ($4,400 total), further cutting federal tax. Colorado gives no extra deduction for kids—the credit is entirely federal.
Net pay: $3,006.82 per paycheck (+$377.08 vs. single Kevin).
Scenario 3 — Single With One Child
Same $2,200 child tax credit, single filing status.
Net pay: $2,714.35 per paycheck (+$84.61 vs. single Kevin with no kids).
Scenario 4 — No 401k, No Health Insurance
Removing the $342.31 per paycheck in pre-tax contributions means Kevin pays about $90 more per paycheck in combined federal + Colorado tax—but he still keeps the rest as cash.
Net pay: $2,881.68 per paycheck (+$251.94 vs. Kevin with 401k/insurance)—but he loses $342.31 per paycheck in retirement savings and health coverage. More cash today, nothing saved for tomorrow.
Scenario 5 — 401k Increased to 10%
Extra $192.31 per paycheck into retirement.
Net pay: $2,488.19 per paycheck (−$141.55 vs. 5% Kevin)—he “loses” $141.55 in take-home pay to gain $192.31 more in his 401k. The $50.76 difference is tax saved.
Scenario 6 — Different Salary Levels Same Profile, Denver
| Salary | Net Pay/Paycheck | vs. $100k Kevin |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $1,629.12 | −$1,000.62 |
| $100,000 (Kevin) | $2,629.74 | — |
| $150,000 | $3,806.28 | +$1,176.54 |
Scenario 7 — Local Tax by City vs. Denver’s $2.65/paycheck
| City | Local Tax/Paycheck | Savings vs. Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Glendale | $2.31 | +$0.34/paycheck (~$9/year) |
| Greenwood Village | $0.92 | +$1.73/paycheck (~$45/year) |
| Sheridan | $1.38 | +$1.27/paycheck (~$33/year) |
| No-tax city | $0 | +$2.65/paycheck (~$69/year) |
Try any of these combinations yourself in the calculator above—salary, filing status, dependents, 401k %, and work city all update your result instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado Paycheck 2026
Here are answers to the most common questions people ask about Colorado Paycheck , taxes, and take-home pay.
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax rate for 2026 — the same percentage regardless of income level, filing status, or how much you earn.
No, Colorado does not have its own separate standard deduction. It uses your federal taxable income as the starting point — which already has the federal standard deduction applied ($16,100 single / $32,200 married for 2026) — then multiplies that by 4.4%.
No — but this isn't a Colorado-specific rule. Personal exemptions were eliminated federally for all states starting in 2018 (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). Since Colorado calculates tax from your federal taxable income, no personal exemption carries through.
Yes — Denver charges a $5.75/month Occupational Privilege Tax if you earn over $500 in a calendar month working in Denver. Glendale ($5/month), Greenwood Village ($2/month), and Sheridan ($3/month) also have similar local taxes. Most other Colorado cities, including Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins, have none.
FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance) is a 2026 employee rate of 0.44% of your gross wages, capped at $184,500/year. It funds up to 12 weeks of paid leave for medical or family reasons.
TABOR requires Colorado to refund excess state revenue to taxpayers. For tax year 2026 (filed in 2027), no refund is expected — state revenue is projected to fall below the TABOR cap for the first time since the pandemic.
Technically yes, but with generous exemptions: residents 65 and older pay $0 state tax on Social Security regardless of income. Ages 55–64 get a full exemption if income is under $75,000 (single) / $95,000 (joint); above that, a $20,000 subtraction cap applies.
No. Colorado does not have an SDI tax, unlike California (1.3%), New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, or New York.
The statewide minimum wage is $15.16/hour for 2026. Denver has its own higher local rate of $19.29/hour, and Boulder ($16.82) and Edgewater ($18.17) also set higher local minimums.
For a typical $60,000/year salary in Colorado (single, no local tax city), roughly 20–23% of gross pay goes to combined federal tax, Colorado's 4.4% state tax, FAMLI (0.44%), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) — leaving about 77–80% as take-home pay. The exact percentage depends on your filing status, pre-tax deductions, and work city. Use the calculator above for your exact number
