In Colorado, child support is based on the notion that both parents have an obligation to financially support their child(ren). Colorado’s child support guidelines take into account a number of factors, including parenting time, each parent’s income, and child care costs. The Colorado Assembly reviews these laws periodically to reflect current economic realities and family structures.
On March 1, 2026, one of the most significant updates to Colorado’s child support laws went into effect, based on recommendations from the Colorado Child Support Commission. These updates modify how child support is calculated, particularly when it comes to parenting time, thresholds, and the basic support schedule. If you currently share custody of your kids with an ex, our Colorado family law attorneys can help you determine how these changes may impact what you pay or what you are owed in child support.
Solutions Based Family Law offers high-quality, comprehensive legal representation to clients throughout the Denver area. We take a strategic approach to family law matters, understanding that the best solution is one that works for you and your kids. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Colorado child support lawyer.
How Child Support Is Calculated in Colorado
Colorado calculates child support using an income shares model, which estimates what parents would have spent on their children if they were living together. This amount is then divided proportionally between the parents, taking into account multiple factors, including:
- Each parent’s gross income
- Number of children
- Parenting time (overnight stays)
- Health insurance costs
- Work-related childcare expenses
- Extraordinary medical or educational expenses
Once the combined parental income is determined, each parent is then assigned a percentage share of the total child support obligation. Typically, the parent with less parenting time pays child support to the parent with a greater share of parenting time. The 2026 legislative updates modify several key elements of how child support is calculated in Colorado.
Major 2026 Changes to Colorado Child Support
On May 31, Governor Polis signed House Bill 25-1159, which went into effect on March 1, 2026. Through this bill, Colorado’s child support laws changed in several key ways:
- The prior 93-overnight threshold has been eliminated and replaced with a graduated parenting time credit.
- The combined income threshold that the guidelines apply to is raised from $30,000 to $40,000.
- Courts have expanded discretion in allocating tax dependency exemptions between parents.
- The basic child support schedule amounts are changed, including an increase in the combined child support obligation shared between parents.
- The treatment and definition of extraordinary medical expenses were revised, including changes to prior threshold requirements.
- Additional protections for low-income parents were implemented, including adjustments to minimum support obligations.
Below, we explain each of these changes in detail. If you have questions about these revisions to the law and how they may affect your child support case, our Colorado family law attorneys can help you understand your rights.
Parenting Time Credit Applies to Every Overnight
One of the biggest changes to Colorado child support law is the elimination of the “93-overnight threshold.” Under the previous rule, Colorado used two different child support worksheets:
- Worksheet A was used when a parent had 92 or fewer overnight visits per year.
- Worksheet B was used when both parents had 93 or more overnights each year, which triggered shared parenting calculations.
Under this system, a parent with 92 overnight visits per year received no credit towards their child support payments. A parent with 93 or more overnight visits could receive a significant reduction in child support. This often led to a lot of litigation over parenting time, as there was a benefit to getting to 93 overnight visits.
Starting on March 1, 2026, the 93-overnight threshold is eliminated. Parenting time is now incorporated using a graduated formula based on the number of overnights exercised by each parent. Parenting time is calculated using a graduated credit system that reflects the percentage of overnights each parent spends with a child. This means that parenting time is more proportionally reflected, and even parents with relatively limited overnights may receive some level of credit.
Under the old system, a parent with 90 overnight visits a year received the same credits towards child support obligations as a parent with 0 overnight visits. This new law aims to encourage shared parenting, provide more accurate financial adjustments, and reduce disputes about reaching the 93-overnight threshold. Of course, there will still likely be disputes over parenting time, but this change is meant to make the system fairer.
Expansion of the Income Cap in Child Support Guidelines
Another major change to Colorado’s child support laws is the increase in the maximum combined income covered by Colorado’s child support schedule. The previous guideline schedule applied to parents with a combined monthly income of up to $30,000. If parents earned more than that, courts used their discretion or extrapolated from the guidelines to determine child support.
In 2026, this income cap was increased to $40,000, with courts retaining discretion for combined incomes above that level. For high-income families, this means that there will be more predictability in child support calculations. It also helps to ensure that child support awards reflect the actual financial capacity of higher-earning parents.
Adjustments to Tax Exemption Allocation
The updated Colorado child support law also changes how courts allocate tax dependency exemptions between parents. Previously, exemptions were often allocated in proportion to income. Under the new law, courts can allocate these exemptions differently based on the circumstances of the case. This change provides greater flexibility for judges to structure support arrangements in ways that maximize the overall financial benefit to the child.
Revised Child Support Schedule
The legislation also updates the basic child support schedule, which determines the presumptive support amount based on the parents’ combined income and number of children. These revisions reflect the modern cost of raising children. It also adjusts the overall support obligation shared by parents.
Depending on your unique circumstances, parents may experience higher support amounts, lower support amounts, or minimal changes. The new schedule is also subject to the revised parenting-time credit system, so the final amount can vary based on each family’s situation.
Changes to Extraordinary Medical Expense Rules
Colorado law requires parents to share certain medical costs for their children. Previously, extraordinary medical expenses were defined as costs exceeding $250 per child per year. Once this threshold was reached, additional expenses were shared between the parents.
The updated law revises the treatment of extraordinary medical expenses, including changes to prior threshold requirements and a broader definition of qualifying expenses. This adjustment helps to avoid disputes over which parent pays the first $250 and how medical expenses are divided in shared custody cases. Instead, courts can allocate medical expenses more consistently based on each parent’s financial responsibility.
Updates to Low-Income Parent Protections
Colorado law includes safeguards that are designed to ensure that child support obligations do not leave parents without enough money to meet their own basic needs. Under the updated framework, parents with very low monthly income may qualify for reduced child support obligations. A minimum support amount (often around $10 per month) may apply at the lowest income levels, depending on the circumstances. These modifications to the law are intended to prevent unrealistic obligations for parents with limited income, while ensuring that children receive financial support.
Questions about Colorado Child Support Updates? Give Us a Call.
Child support calculations are governed by Colorado statute and guidelines, and the application of these rules may vary depending on the specific facts of each case. The 2026 changes to Colorado’s child support laws affect multiple aspects of the child support formula. This can make it hard to know exactly how these updates will impact the amount of money that you may pay or receive in child support each month. Our Colorado child support lawyers can help you determine if your child support order may be impacted by these changes and represent you in a petition for modification if appropriate.
At Solutions Based Family Law, we are fierce advocates for clients dealing with all types of family law matters, including divorce, legal separation, child custody, and child support. We work hard to help our clients reach their goals in their family law case, whether that means negotiating a settlement or taking your case to court to protect your rights. Contact our law offices today at 720-420-3610 or fill out our online contact form to talk to a Colorado child support attorney.