Colorado Paycheck Calculator Updated
Estimate your exact Colorado take-home pay in real time. Colorado taxes all wages at a flat 4.40% — one of the lowest flat rates in the U.S. — protected by TABOR from surprise rate hikes. Add Denver’s unique monthly city tax and the new FAMLI leave insurance deduction, and this calculator covers every layer unique to Colorado workers.
💡 Salary Change Simulator
Drag to instantly see how a raise or pay cut affects your Colorado take-home — the flat 4.40% rate means every dollar of salary change has a predictable, linear impact.
How the Colorado Paycheck Calculator Works
Colorado is among a small group of states that applies income tax at a single flat rate — currently 4.40% — on all taxable wages regardless of income level. This rate was reduced from 4.55% via Proposition 116, approved by Colorado voters in November 2020. Under Colorado’s unique Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), any future rate increase above 4.40% requires direct voter approval — meaning the legislature cannot raise the rate on its own. For workers, this provides unusual long-term predictability: the 4.40% you pay today is constitutionally protected from unilateral legislative increases.
Colorado also stands out for two deductions that don’t appear in most other state calculators: the Denver Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) — a flat monthly dollar amount, not a percentage — and FAMLI, Colorado’s new Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, which deducts 0.45% of employee wages up to the Social Security wage base. This calculator handles all three Colorado-specific layers — state tax, city OPT, and FAMLI — alongside standard federal and FICA deductions.
Every Deduction on a Colorado Paycheck
- Colorado State Income Tax (4.40% flat) — Applied to Colorado taxable income, which starts from federal adjusted gross income and allows the same standard deduction as the federal return. Pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions reduce your CO taxable income alongside your federal taxable income.
- FAMLI — Family and Medical Leave Insurance (0.45%) — Colorado launched its paid family and medical leave program in January 2024. Employees contribute 0.45% of wages up to the $184,500 Social Security wage base. In return, eligible Colorado workers can receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave (up to 16 weeks for pregnancy-related conditions). The employer pays another 0.45% on top.
- Denver Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) — Denver charges employees a flat $5.75 per month, deducted from each paycheck. This is not a percentage of wages — it is a fixed dollar amount. Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village, and Sheridan each have their own OPT amounts. Most Colorado cities charge no OPT.
- Federal Income Tax (10%–37%) — Applied to federal taxable income after the standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married / $24,150 HoH for 2025) and any pre-tax deductions.
- Social Security (6.2%) — Applied to wages up to the $184,500 annual wage base.
- Medicare (1.45%) — Applied to all wages; plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
| Deduction | Rate / Amount | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | 10%–37% | Taxable income after deductions & credits |
| Colorado State Income Tax | 4.40% flat | CO taxable income (mirrors federal AGI approach) |
| Colorado FAMLI | 0.45% (employee) | Wages up to $184,500 wage base |
| Denver OPT (if applicable) | $5.75/month flat | All Denver employees earning $500+/month |
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 (2025 wage base) |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All earned income |
| Additional Medicare Tax | 0.9% | Income above $200K (single) / $250K (married) |
| CO Employee SDI / SUI | $0 | No employee deduction in Colorado |
What Is FAMLI and How Does It Affect My Colorado Paycheck?
FAMLI — Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program — launched January 1, 2024. It is a state-administered insurance program that provides eligible Colorado workers with paid leave for qualifying life events: serious health conditions, bonding with a new child, caring for a family member, or military exigencies. Here is what Colorado workers need to know:
- Employee rate: 0.45% of wages, deducted from every paycheck, applied to wages up to the $184,500 Social Security wage base.
- Maximum annual employee contribution: $830.25 (0.45% × $184,500).
- Benefits: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year (up to 16 weeks for pregnancy complications). Benefits replace 90% of wages up to 50% of the statewide average weekly wage, then 50% above that threshold.
- Employer contribution: Employers with 10 or more employees pay an additional 0.45%. Employers with fewer than 10 employees pay 0% — only employees contribute.
- Self-employed workers: Can opt into FAMLI voluntarily.
Denver Occupational Privilege Tax: What It Is and Who Pays It
Denver’s Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) is a common source of confusion because it works nothing like a traditional income tax. It is a flat monthly charge — not a percentage of wages — applied to employees who earn $500 or more in a month working in Denver. Key facts:
| City | Employee OPT | Employer OPT | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $5.75/month | $4.00/month per employee | Monthly |
| Glendale | $10.00/month | $10.00/month per employee | Monthly |
| Sheridan | $6.00/month | $6.00/month per employee | Monthly |
| Greenwood Village | $4.00/month | $4.00/month per employee | Monthly |
| Aurora | $2.00/month | $2.00/month per employee | Monthly |
| All Other CO Cities | $0 | $0 | — |
Because the OPT is a flat amount rather than a rate, it represents a larger percentage of income for lower earners. A Denver worker earning $30,000 pays the same $69/year in OPT as one earning $200,000. The OPT is deductible on the federal and Colorado state returns as a business expense for self-employed workers, but not as an above-the-line deduction for employees.
Colorado Salary After Tax: Common Take-Home Examples
The table below estimates annual take-home pay at common Colorado salary levels for a single filer in Denver (including OPT and FAMLI), and for a non-Denver worker.
| Annual Salary | Federal Tax | CO State (4.40%) | FAMLI (0.45%) | FICA | Take-Home (Denver) | Take-Home (Other CO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | ~$3,290 | ~$1,232 | ~$180 | ~$3,060 | ~$32,100 | ~$32,170 |
| $55,000 | ~$5,540 | ~$1,760 | ~$248 | ~$4,208 | ~$43,100 | ~$43,175 |
| $65,000 | ~$7,490 | ~$2,156 | ~$293 | ~$4,973 | ~$49,950 | ~$50,020 |
| $80,000 | ~$10,480 | ~$2,728 | ~$360 | ~$6,120 | ~$60,170 | ~$60,240 |
| $100,000 | ~$14,780 | ~$3,520 | ~$450 | ~$7,650 | ~$73,450 | ~$73,520 |
| $130,000 | ~$22,480 | ~$4,664 | ~$585 | ~$9,945 | ~$92,160 | ~$92,230 |
| $160,000 | ~$29,980 | ~$5,808 | ~$720 | ~$11,480 | ~$111,850 | ~$111,920 |
*Single filer, standard deduction, no dependents, no additional pre-tax deductions. Denver figures include $69/year OPT. Use the calculator above for a precise, personalized result.
Colorado vs. Neighboring States: Paycheck Comparison
| State | State Income Tax | Key Employee Deductions | On $75,000 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 4.40% flat | FAMLI 0.45%, Denver OPT $5.75/mo | ~$3,637 state/FAMLI |
| Utah | 4.55% flat | None unique | ~$3,413 |
| New Mexico | 1.7%–5.9% graduated | None unique | ~$3,600–$4,425 |
| Wyoming | 0% | None | $0 |
| Nevada | 0% | None | $0 |
| Arizona | 2.5% flat | None unique | ~$1,875 |
| Kansas | 3.1%–5.7% graduated | None unique | ~$3,375–$4,275 |
| Nebraska | 2.46%–6.84% graduated | None unique | ~$4,275–$5,130 |
Colorado Minimum Wage 2025
Colorado has one of the more complex minimum wage structures in the U.S., with the statewide rate adjusted annually for inflation and Denver maintaining its own higher floor:
- Statewide minimum wage: $14.42/hr as of January 1, 2025 (adjusted annually for inflation under Amendment 70).
- Denver minimum wage: $18.29/hr as of January 1, 2025 — among the highest city minimums in the country.
- Tipped employees (statewide): $11.40/hr direct cash wage, with tips expected to bring total to at least $14.42/hr.
- Tipped employees (Denver): $15.27/hr direct cash wage.
- The statewide rate adjusts automatically each January 1st based on the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index (CPI). No legislative action is required for annual adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colorado’s state income tax rate?
Colorado’s state income tax rate is a flat 4.40% on all taxable income. This rate was reduced from 4.55% when Colorado voters passed Proposition 116 in November 2020. Under Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), any future increase above this rate requires direct voter approval — the legislature cannot raise it on its own.
How much is taken out of a Colorado paycheck?
A typical Colorado paycheck is reduced by federal income tax (10%–37%), Colorado flat state tax (4.40%), FAMLI leave insurance (0.45% up to $184,500), a city Occupational Privilege Tax if you work in Denver or a handful of other municipalities, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). Colorado has no employee SDI or SUI deduction. For most workers, the total effective rate falls between 22% and 35% depending on income level, filing status, and city.
What is FAMLI and how does it affect my Colorado paycheck?
FAMLI stands for Family and Medical Leave Insurance. It is Colorado’s state-run paid leave program that launched in January 2024. Colorado employees contribute 0.45% of their wages up to the $184,500 Social Security wage base ($830.25 maximum per year). In return, eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year for qualifying reasons including serious illness, welcoming a new child, or caring for a family member.
Does Denver have a city income tax?
Denver does not have a traditional city income tax based on a percentage of wages. Instead, Denver charges an Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) of $5.75 per month for employees earning $500 or more in a month while working in Denver. This is a flat dollar amount — not a rate — so it does not scale up with your income. Aurora, Glendale, Greenwood Village, and Sheridan have their own smaller OPTs. All other Colorado cities charge no local income tax.
What is the TABOR amendment and how does it affect Colorado taxes?
TABOR — the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights — is a 1992 Colorado constitutional amendment that limits the growth of government revenues and spending. For income taxes specifically, TABOR means that any increase in the Colorado income tax rate above the current 4.40% must be approved by Colorado voters. This gives Colorado workers unusual long-term predictability: the legislature cannot quietly raise the state income tax rate without a public vote.
Do 401(k) contributions reduce Colorado state taxes?
Yes. Colorado begins its tax calculation from federal adjusted gross income (AGI), which already reflects traditional 401(k) and 403(b) pre-tax contributions. This means every dollar contributed to a pre-tax retirement account reduces your Colorado taxable income at the same time it reduces your federal taxable income — generating both a federal and a 4.40% Colorado state tax saving on the same dollar.
What is Colorado’s minimum wage in 2025?
Colorado’s statewide minimum wage is $14.42 per hour as of January 1, 2025, adjusted annually for inflation. Denver has a higher local minimum wage of $18.29 per hour as of January 1, 2025. The statewide rate adjusts automatically each January based on the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index.
Is overtime taxed differently in Colorado?
No. Overtime pay is taxed at the same 4.40% Colorado flat rate as regular wages. Colorado follows federal FLSA rules requiring 1.5x pay for hours over 40 per workweek. Some Colorado industries have additional overtime protections under the Colorado COMPS (Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards) Order, but the tax treatment of overtime pay is identical to regular wages.
Does Colorado tax Social Security income?
Colorado does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level for most retirees. Workers age 55–64 can deduct up to $20,000 of Social Security income from Colorado taxable income; workers 65 and older can deduct the full amount. This makes Colorado relatively retirement-friendly for workers approaching retirement age.
How accurate is this Colorado paycheck calculator?
This calculator uses current IRS federal tax brackets, Colorado’s 4.40% flat rate, the FAMLI 0.45% employee rate, published city OPT amounts, and current FICA rates to produce a reliable estimate. Actual withholding may vary based on W-4 elections, employer-specific payroll setups, and the exact number of pay periods in a year. Consult a licensed Colorado tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Related Paycheck Calculators
Compare Colorado take-home pay with other states, or return to the full calculator hub:
This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only, based on current IRS federal tax brackets, Colorado’s 4.40% flat state income tax, FAMLI employee rate (0.45%), published city OPT amounts, and current FICA rates. Colorado FAMLI rates and OPT amounts are subject to change. This tool does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed Colorado tax professional or payroll specialist for guidance specific to your situation.