Colorado Sales Tax Calculator 2026 — 2.9% Rate
Calculate Colorado sales tax on any purchase instantly. The state sales tax rate is 2.9%, and the statewide average combined rate (state + local) is 7.89% (Tax Foundation, July 2026). Enter your purchase amount — and your exact local rate if you know it — to see state tax, local tax, and the total amount due, all calculated privately in your browser.
Colorado Sales Tax Rate: State vs Combined
The Colorado state sales tax rate is 2.9%. Most shoppers pay more than that, because counties and cities add their own local taxes on top. The statewide average combined rate is 7.89% — a population-weighted average published by the Tax Foundation for rates as of July 1, 2026 — and the highest local rate in that table adds 9.1% to the state rate. A $100 purchase costs $102.90 at the state rate alone and $107.89 at the statewide average.
What Is and Isn't Taxed in Colorado
Colorado exempts food bought for home consumption from the 2.9% state sales tax. Cities and counties may choose to tax food, so a local rate can still appear on a grocery receipt. Clothing is taxed like other goods — Colorado has no general clothing exemption — at the 2.9% state rate plus any local rate. Prescription drugs are exempt from Colorado sales tax.
How to Calculate Colorado Sales Tax
To calculate Colorado sales tax, multiply the purchase price by the rate that applies where you buy. For the state rate only: price × 2.9% = tax. For a real receipt, enter your exact combined rate in the optional field above — it is printed on local receipts and published by the Colorado Department of Revenue; the 7.89% statewide average is only an estimate. Example: a $200 purchase at the 7.89% average = $15.78 in tax = $215.78 total.
Tips for Accurate Sales Tax Calculations
Always confirm the exact local rate for your specific city or county — the statewide average (7.89%, Tax Foundation, July 2026) is a population-weighted mean and may differ from your actual checkout rate. Large purchases like appliances or electronics are where the difference between the state-only and combined rates matters most. Keep receipts that show the tax rate used; this helps verify correct tax was charged and supports any refund claims for exempt purchases. If you are making a business purchase, check whether your state offers a sales tax exemption certificate to avoid paying tax on resale items.
Last updated: October 2026. Sources: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (rates as of July 1, 2026); Colorado Department of Revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Colorado?
The Colorado state sales tax rate is 2.9%. Counties and cities add local taxes on top, and the statewide average combined rate is 7.89% (Tax Foundation, July 2026). Your own rate depends on where you buy.
Does Colorado tax groceries?
Not at state level. Food bought for home consumption is exempt from Colorado's 2.9% state sales tax. Cities and counties have the option of taxing food, so a local rate may still apply where you shop.
Is clothing taxed in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado has no general clothing exemption, so clothing is taxed at the 2.9% state rate plus any applicable local rate.
What is the combined sales tax rate in Colorado?
The statewide average combined (state + local) sales tax rate in Colorado is 7.89%, according to the Tax Foundation's table of rates as of July 1, 2026. The state portion is 2.9%; the rest is county and municipal tax that varies by location, up to 9.1% at the highest.
How do I calculate sales tax in Colorado?
Multiply the purchase price by the rate. For state tax only: price × 0.0290. For the statewide average: price × 0.0789. Example: $50 × 0.0789 = $3.95 tax, total $53.95.