Colorado Paycheck Calculator 2026
Calculate your Colorado take-home pay instantly. Enter your salary or hourly wage and see net pay after federal income tax, Colorado state tax (4.4%), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) — all calculated privately in your browser.
Updated 2026-07-03 — rates verified against Colorado DOR Income Tax Topics and IRS 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32).
Colorado Payroll Tax Overview
Colorado uses a flat state income tax rate of 4.4% on all taxable wages. Unlike graduated-bracket states, every dollar you earn in Colorado above the standard deduction is taxed at the same 4.4% rate. This makes Colorado paycheck calculations straightforward and predictable.
On top of state income tax, workers in Colorado also pay federal income tax (10%–37% graduated brackets), Social Security (6.2% up to the $176,100 wage base), and Medicare (1.45%, or 2.35% above $200,000 for high earners). Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance reduce both federal and state taxable income.
The 2026 federal income tax brackets for single filers: 10% on the first $11,925; 12% to $48,475; 22% to $103,350; 24% to $197,300; 32% to $250,525; 35% to $626,350; 37% above. Your effective federal rate will be well below the marginal rate at most income levels.
Federal vs Colorado Tax Burden
For a Colorado single filer earning $60,000 annually, estimated federal income tax is roughly $6,748 (11.2% effective), plus Colorado state tax of $1,850 (flat 4.4%), Social Security $3,720, and Medicare $870. Estimated annual take-home: approximately $46,800.
The flat tax structure means Colorado does not penalize additional income with a higher marginal state rate — every extra dollar earned is taxed at exactly 4.4% for state purposes. This can make Colorado attractive for higher earners who benefit from the predictability of a flat system.
Pre-tax 401(k) contributions, HSA contributions, and health insurance premiums reduce both federal and Colorado taxable income before tax is applied. Maximizing pre-tax deductions is one of the most effective ways to reduce your Colorado paycheck tax burden.
How to Use This Colorado Paycheck Calculator
Enter your pay period (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, or annual), then input either your annual gross salary or your hourly rate and average hours per week. Select your federal filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household — as this determines your federal tax brackets and standard deduction.
If you have pre-tax deductions such as a 401(k) contribution, health insurance premium, or HSA contribution, enter the total per-period dollar amount. These reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated. The calculator will show federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), Colorado state income tax (4.4%), your total deductions, and your net take-home pay — both per period and annualized.
Results are estimates based on standard assumptions and 2026 tax rates. Actual withholding may differ based on your W-4 elections, additional withholding, local taxes (in some cities), or retirement plan contribution limits. For precise payroll calculations, consult your payroll provider or a tax professional.
Colorado FAMLI Deduction on Your Paycheck (2026)
Colorado's Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program (FAMLI) launched benefits in January 2024, funded by a payroll premium of 0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage base ($176,100 in 2026) — split 50/50 between employee and employer, so the employee share is 0.45%. On a $60,000 salary that's roughly $270/year (about $10.38 per biweekly paycheck) taken out as "FAMLI" or "CO FAMLI" on your pay stub. Employers with fewer than 10 workers are exempt from the employer share, but employees still pay 0.45%. See the official CO FAMLI premiums page for the current rate table.
Denver & Local Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) — the $5.75 Line Item
If you work in Denver, Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village, or Sheridan, expect an extra flat-dollar tax that state-level paycheck calculators miss. Denver's Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) is $5.75/month deducted from any employee earning at least $500 in the city that month; the employer pays $4/month on top. Aurora is $2/month, Glendale $5, Greenwood Village $2, Sheridan $3. These are flat dollar amounts, not percentages — small annually ($30-$70) but easy to miss if you're moving from a non-CO state and wondering "what's this OPT deduction on my Colorado paycheck." See the City of Denver OPT guide for filing details. The calculator above focuses on state + federal + FICA; add the flat OPT if you work in one of the five OPT cities.
Colorado Take-Home Pay by Salary (Single Filer, 2026)
Estimate your Colorado take-home pay at a glance using this table before running the paycheck calculator above. Assumes single filer, standard deduction ($15,000 federal), no 401(k) or health-insurance pre-tax deductions, Colorado flat 4.4% state tax, FICA 7.65%, FAMLI 0.45%. Numbers are annual net; divide by 26 for biweekly.
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | CO State Tax | FICA + FAMLI | Net Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,918 | $1,100 | $3,240 | ~$32,742 |
| $60,000 | $5,318 | $1,980 | $4,860 | ~$47,842 |
| $80,000 | $9,553 | $2,860 | $6,480 | ~$61,107 |
| $100,000 | $13,953 | $3,740 | $8,100 | ~$74,207 |
| $150,000 | $26,875 | $5,940 | $12,150 | ~$105,035 |
Add Denver OPT ($69/yr flat) or FAMLI if not shown separately. For 401(k) contributions, subtract from gross before running through the table — reduces federal + state tax proportionally. Rates verified against Colorado DOR and IRS 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Updated 2026-07-27.
Colorado vs Neighbors: $75K Take-Home in NM, UT, WY, KS, NE (2026)
Colorado's 4.4% flat rate sits in the middle of its neighbors — worth checking before accepting a job across state lines. Single filer, standard deduction, no 401(k), no local tax, biweekly, 2026 federal + FICA + state. Colorado: ~$56,850 net (~75.8% take-home) — 4.4% flat + 0.45% FAMLI. Wyoming: ~$60,500 (~80.7%) — no state income tax, highest neighbor net. New Mexico: ~$56,000 (~74.7%) — graduated 1.7-5.9%, ~5.3% effective at $75K. Utah: ~$56,600 (~75.5%) — 4.55% flat, matches Colorado nearly exactly. Kansas: ~$56,400 (~75.2%) — graduated 3.1-5.7%, ~5.25% effective at $75K. Nebraska: ~$55,900 (~74.5%) — highest state bracket in the group (6.4% at $75K). Per the Tax Foundation state income tax rankings, Colorado ranks middle-tier for a $75K earner — the flat rate benefits middle-income workers vs graduated-bracket neighbors. Adding Denver OPT ($69/year) is trivial next to Wyoming's $3,650/year state-tax advantage; Cheyenne-area workers commuting to Fort Collins often chase WY residency. Updated 2026-07-27.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado have state income tax?
Yes, Colorado has a flat state income tax of 4.4% on all taxable wages.
What is the Colorado state income tax rate?
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% state income tax rate, meaning all income is taxed at the same rate regardless of how much you earn.
How is take-home pay calculated in Colorado?
Take-home pay in Colorado is your gross pay minus federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), state income tax (4.4%), and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or health insurance.
What payroll taxes apply in Colorado?
Employees in Colorado pay federal income tax, FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%), Colorado state income tax at up to 4.4%. Employers match Social Security and Medicare.
Does Colorado have SDI or disability tax?
Colorado does not have a state SDI or disability insurance payroll tax deduction. However, Colorado does have FAMLI (Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance) which is a separate 0.45% employee-share premium — often mislabeled as 'disability' on some paystubs.
What is the FAMLI deduction on my Colorado paycheck?
FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance) is Colorado's paid leave program that began paying benefits in January 2024. It funds up to 12 weeks of paid leave through a 0.9% total premium of wages up to the Social Security cap, split 50/50 between employee and employer. Your share is 0.45% — roughly $270/year on a $60,000 salary.
Why does my Denver paycheck have a $5.75 OPT deduction?
That is the Denver Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) — a flat $5.75/month tax on any employee earning at least $500/month in Denver. Aurora ($2), Glendale ($5), Greenwood Village ($2), and Sheridan ($3) also charge OPT. The tax is separate from state income tax and appears as a flat dollar deduction; the calculator above focuses on state + federal + FICA, so add OPT manually if you work in one of the five cities.
What is Colorado take-home pay on a $60,000 salary in 2026?
A single Colorado filer earning $60,000 in 2026 takes home approximately $47,842 per year, or about $1,840 per biweekly paycheck. Breakdown: federal tax ~$5,318 (10-22% brackets after $15,000 standard deduction), Colorado flat 4.4% state tax = $1,980, FICA 7.65% = $4,590, FAMLI 0.45% = $270. Add Denver OPT ($69/yr) if applicable. See the quick-lookup table above for other salary levels or use the paycheck calculator above for your exact scenario.
How much of my Colorado paycheck goes to taxes on $100K?
On a $100,000 Colorado salary in 2026, expect approximately $25,793 in combined taxes: federal ~$13,953, Colorado state ~$3,740, FICA ~$7,650, FAMLI ~$450. That leaves ~$74,207 net take-home, roughly 74% of gross. Increasing 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500 in 2026) reduces federal + state tax by ~30% × contribution amount. HSA contributions provide a similar savings on top of 401(k). The paycheck calculator above lets you model both scenarios side by side.
Is Colorado a good state for take-home pay compared to Wyoming or Utah?
Wyoming beats Colorado meaningfully — no state income tax at all, so a $75K single filer nets about $3,650 more per year in WY vs CO. Utah's 4.55% flat rate produces take-home nearly identical to Colorado's 4.4% at most income levels. Kansas and Nebraska both come out worse than Colorado at $75K due to higher graduated brackets. Colorado's TABOR-driven flat rate has actually dropped from 4.63% (2019) to 4.4% (2026) — the trend favors Colorado residents for the next few tax years. Source: Tax Foundation 2026 state income tax rankings.
How does the Colorado TABOR refund affect my paycheck take-home?
TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) refunds are NOT withheld from your paycheck — they arrive as a separate refund on your CO state tax return the following year. In 2024 filings, the flat refund was $800 single / $1,600 joint; 2026 amounts will be set by state actual revenue vs the TABOR cap. Effectively your Colorado take-home pay is understated by ~$67/month for singles who file a return. The paycheck calculator above shows withholding, not the retroactive TABOR refund — factor it in when comparing Colorado to no-tax states like Wyoming.