Colorado Paycheck Calculator

Updated for 2026 tax year · figures checked on November 3, 2026

Colorado withholds a flat 4.4% state income tax, and most workers also pay part of the FAMLI paid leave premium, up to 0.44% of wages. This Colorado paycheck calculator, also a salary and take-home pay calculator, shows both next to federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.

A single filer on a $60,000 salary, paid every two weeks, has a $2,307.69 paycheck and takes home about $1,835.69, or $47,728 a year.

Take-home pay per bi-weekly paycheck

$1,835.69

$47,727.94 a year from $59,999.94 gross pay (26 paychecks)

Take-home 79.5%
Federal income tax 8.4%
Social Security 6.2%
Medicare 1.4%
State income tax 4.0%
Colorado FAMLI (employee share) 0.4%

Paycheck breakdown per paycheck and per year in Colorado
Item	Per paycheck	Per year
Gross pay	$2,307.69	$59,999.94
Federal income tax	−$193.08	−$5,020.08
Social Security	−$143.08	−$3,720.08
Medicare	−$33.46	−$869.96
State income tax	−$92.23	−$2,397.98
Colorado FAMLI (employee share)	−$10.15	−$263.90
Take-home pay	$1,835.69	$47,727.94

How we calculated this

Estimates for informational purposes only, based on 2026 withholding rules. Your actual paycheck may differ. This is not tax advice. Report an issue

Colorado salary calculator: what your result means

Your result is take-home pay after federal taxes, Colorado income tax and the FAMLI premium. In the $60,000 example, federal income tax is about 8.4% of gross pay, Social Security and Medicare 7.7%, and Colorado income tax plus FAMLI 4.4%.

The FAMLI line is the most an employer may deduct; some employers pay the whole premium themselves.

At $100,000 a year, take-home pay is about $2,868.54 every two weeks, or $74,582 a year. A $40,000 salary paid weekly comes to about $627.44 per paycheck.

How Colorado taxes your paycheck

Colorado withholding at a glance
State income tax on wages	Flat 4.4%
Colorado FAMLI (employee share)	0.44% employee rate of wages up to $184,500

Source: Colorado Department of Revenue, DR 1098 Colorado Withholding Worksheet for Employers, 2026 (10/21/25)

Without a Colorado DR 0004, employers subtract $5,500 a year ($11,000 for married filing jointly) before applying the rate.

Employers annualize your pay, subtract an allowance and apply 4.4%. Without a Colorado certificate, the allowance is $5,500 a year, or $11,000 if your federal W-4 says married filing jointly. Colorado wages are generally the wages subject to federal withholding, so 401(k), Section 125 health insurance, HSA and FSA deductions lower them too.

One difference from federal rules: overtime pay that's eligible for the new federal overtime deduction is still Colorado wages for withholding.

FAMLI paid leave premium

Colorado's Family and Medical Leave Insurance premium is 0.88% of wages in 2026, falling to 0.86% in 2027. Employers may deduct up to half, 0.44%, from your pay, on wages up to the Social Security wage base of $184,500. The premium is taken after tax, so it doesn't lower any tax.

Things to know about Colorado paychecks

An optional Colorado certificate. Colorado's DR 0004 lets you set your own allowance and extra withholding; a new federal W-4 without a new DR 0004 cancels an earlier one. (Source: Colorado Department of Revenue, DR 1098 Colorado Withholding Worksheet for Employers, 2026 (10/21/25))
Overtime after 12 hours a day. Colorado requires overtime after 12 hours in a workday as well as after 40 hours in a workweek. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026))
FAMLI comes out after tax. FAMLI premiums are post-tax deductions and don't reduce your taxable income. (Source: Colorado FAMLI Division, Employer FAQs (official page, archived copy dated 2026-05-02))

Federal taxes on every paycheck

Every US paycheck has the same three federal deductions, whichever state you work in. Together, Social Security and Medicare are called FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes.

Federal income tax withholding. Withholding is tax your employer takes out of each paycheck and sends to the IRS on your behalf. The amount depends on your pay and your Form W-4, using the IRS method in Publication 15-T. It is an estimate of your yearly tax; you settle the difference when you file your return.
Social Security. 6.2% of your wages, up to the wage base of $184,500 for the year. The wage base is the most pay that Social Security tax applies to.
Medicare. 1.45% of all your wages, with no limit. Once your pay from one employer passes $200,000 in a year, your employer also withholds an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on the amount above it.

Source: IRS Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide.

Ways to change your paycheck

To change Colorado withholding, file form DR 0004 with your employer. Line 2 sets your yearly allowance and line 3 adds an extra amount each paycheck.

The calculator uses the default allowance from your federal filing status, as employers do when there's no DR 0004.

Update your Form W-4. Claiming dependents, checking the Step 2 box or asking for extra withholding changes how much federal tax comes out of each paycheck. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you fill it in.
Pre-tax deductions. Money you put into a traditional 401(k), an HSA or employer health insurance comes out before federal income tax, so your take-home pay drops by less than the amount you save.
Bonuses. Employers often withhold federal tax on a bonus paid separately at a flat rate. Add a bonus under More options to see it.

Colorado payroll rules

Minimum wage: $15.16 an hour in 2026 ($12.14 for tipped workers), rising to $15.71 in 2027. Denver sets a higher local minimum, $19.84 in 2027, and other cities can set their own. (Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Colorado Minimum Wage will Increase to $15.71/hour in 2027 (August 13, 2026; official page, archived copy dated 2026-10-14))
Overtime: Time-and-a-half after 12 hours in a workday or 40 hours in a workweek, for covered industries. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026))
How often you must be paid: Pay periods can be no longer than a month or 30 days, with payday no later than 10 days after the period ends, unless employer and employee agree otherwise. (Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Colorado Wage Act (revised August 6, 2025; official document, archived copy))
Final paycheck: If your employer ends your job, final wages are due immediately (within hours if the payroll office is closed). If you quit, they're due on the next regular payday. (Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Colorado Wage Act (revised August 6, 2025; official document, archived copy))

For employers in Colorado

State unemployment tax: Employers pay unemployment tax on the first $30,600 of each employee's wages, with new employers at 1.53%. (Source: US Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, January 2026)
New hire reporting: Employers must report new hires within 20 days. (Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support Services, State New Hire Reporting Requirements)
State income tax withholding: Employers register for a Colorado wage withholding account online or on form CR 0100. Employees can file Colorado form DR 0004; without one, employers use the filing status on the federal W-4. (Source: Colorado Department of Revenue, Colorado Wage Withholding Tax Guide (Revised January 2026))

Employers with fewer than 10 employees don't owe the employer half of the FAMLI premium but may still deduct the employee half.

Compare Colorado with neighboring states

Take-home pay on a $60,000 salary, single filer, paid bi-weekly, no pre-tax deductions
			Per paycheck
Wyoming	$0	$50,390	$1,938.07
Arizona	$1,200	$49,190	$1,891.92
New Mexico	$2,033	$48,357	$1,859.89
Nebraska	$2,124	$48,266	$1,856.37
Oklahoma	$2,158	$48,232	$1,855.07
Kansas	$2,549	$47,841	$1,840.04
Colorado	$2,662	$47,728	$1,835.69
Utah	$2,678	$47,712	$1,835.07

Paycheck calculators for neighboring states: Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming.

Most-searched state paycheck calculators

Colorado paycheck FAQ

What is Colorado's income tax rate in 2026?

4.4%, after an allowance of $5,500 a year ($11,000 married filing jointly) without a DR 0004.

How much is FAMLI on my paycheck?

Up to 0.44% of wages in 2026, half of the 0.88% premium.

Do I need a Colorado W-4?

No, it's optional. Colorado's DR 0004 lets you adjust withholding; without it, your federal filing status is used.

When do I get my final paycheck in Colorado?

Immediately if your employer ends your job; on the next regular payday if you quit.

What is the minimum wage in Colorado?

$15.16 an hour in 2026 and $15.71 in 2027; Denver's is higher.

Is overtime taxed more in Colorado?

No. Overtime is taxed at the same rates as your other wages, and it stays Colorado wages even when it qualifies for the federal overtime deduction.

Sources and methodology

Every rate and limit on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 2026-11-03. Read how our paycheck calculator works for the calculation order and its limits.