How Colorado taxes your paycheck
Colorado taxes federal taxable income (after Colorado additions/subtractions) at a flat 4.40% in 2026, the same rate as 2025; there was no TABOR-triggered temporary rate cut for 2026 because the State Controller certified FY 2025-26 revenue $175.9 million below the Referendum C cap. Because the starting point is federal taxable income under rolling conformity, the 2026 federal standard deduction ($16,100 / $32,200 / $24,150) flows through. New for 2026 (Proposition MM, Nov 2025): filers with federal AGI of $300,000+ must add back standard or itemized deductions above $1,000 (single) / $2,000 (joint), down from $12,000 / $16,000.
2026 Colorado income tax rate
| Taxable income (single) | Rate |
|---|---|
| Over $0 | 4.4% |
| Deduction or credit | Single | Married | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction | $16,100 | $32,200 | $24,150 |
| Personal exemption | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Colorado payroll programs
These employee contributions come out of each paycheck in addition to income tax.
| Program | Employee rate | Wage cap |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado FAMLI (Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance) (2026 premium is 0.88% of wages; any employer may deduct up to 50% (0.44%) from employees, which is the maximum employee share shown; employers with 10+ employees also pay the other 0.44%, while those with 9 or fewer remit only the 0.44% employee share. Wages capped at the 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500). Employees of local governments that opted out are not covered.) | 0.44% | $184,500 |
Local income taxes
No local income tax, but Denver, Glendale, Greenwood Village and Sheridan levy flat monthly occupational privilege (head) taxes on people who work in the city; Denver's employee share is $5.75/month for anyone paid $500+ in a month, Greenwood Village $2/month at $250+, Glendale $5/month above $750. Aurora repealed its OPT effective January 1, 2025. Pick your city in the calculator to include it.
| City or area | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Denver (Employee Occupational Privilege Tax of $5.75 per month for each month you earn at least $500 for work done in Denver (the employer pays a separate $4 per month). It is based on where you work, not where you live.) | $5.75 per month | Wages |
| Glendale (Occupational Privilege Tax of $5 per month for each month you earn more than $750 for work done in Glendale (matched by $5 from the employer). It is based on where you work, not where you live.) | $5 per month | Wages |
| Greenwood Village (Employee Occupational Privilege Tax of $2 per month for each month you earn at least $250 for work done in Greenwood Village (the employer pays a separate business OPT). It is based on where you work, not where you live.) | $2 per month | Wages |
In Colorado, these taxes depend on where you work, not where you live. Sources: Denver Revised Municipal Code (version Aug 17, 2026), Ch. 53 Art. V Employee Occupational Privilege Tax, Greenwood Village Municipal Code (version May 28, 2026), Ch. 4 Art. 7 Employee Occupational Privilege Tax, City of Glendale, Occupational Privilege Tax.
Take-home pay in Colorado at common salaries
Single filer, 2026 rules, no pre-tax deductions or local taxes.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | Colorado taxes | Take-home | Biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $744 | $25,541 | $982 |
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $1,228 | $33,092 | $1,273 |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,712 | $40,643 | $1,563 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $2,196 | $48,194 | $1,854 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,922 | $58,671 | $2,257 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $4,132 | $75,048 | $2,886 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $6,552 | $107,239 | $4,125 |
How Colorado compares
At a $60,000 salary, Colorado ranks #30 of 51 for take-home pay. The table below shows the states closest in take-home pay.
Minimum wage in Colorado
The Colorado minimum wage is $15.16 an hour as of January 1, 2026. A full-time minimum wage job pays $31,533 a year before taxes and about $26,699 after taxes. See the full Colorado minimum wage guide for tipped wages and scheduled increases.
What this calculator does not include
Ignores Colorado additions and subtractions (e.g., the Proposition MM deduction addback for AGI of $300,000+, the federal overtime-deduction addback, the QBI addback, pension/Social Security subtractions) and credits such as the Colorado EITC and child tax credit. Local occupational privilege taxes are flat monthly dollar amounts, not percentages, so they are not modeled. The calculator also leaves out dependents, tax credits, additional withholding on your W-4 and non-wage income. Your employer's withholding can differ from your final tax bill.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. Colorado taxes wages at a flat 4.4% for 2026. Your employer withholds it from each paycheck along with federal taxes.
How much is $60,000 after taxes in Colorado?
A single filer earning $60,000 in Colorado keeps about $48,194 a year, or $4,016 a month, in 2026. That ranks 30 of 51 for take-home pay at that salary.
Does Colorado have local income taxes?
No local income tax, but Denver, Glendale, Greenwood Village and Sheridan levy flat monthly occupational privilege (head) taxes on people who work in the city; Denver's employee share is $5.75/month for anyone paid $500+ in a month, Greenwood Village $2/month at $250+, Glendale $5/month above $750. Aurora repealed its OPT effective January 1, 2025.
What is the minimum wage in Colorado?
The minimum wage in Colorado is $15.16 an hour as of January 1, 2026. Full time, that is $31,533 a year before taxes and about $26,699 after taxes for a single filer.
Sources
- Colorado DOR, DR 1098 2026 Colorado Withholding Worksheet for Employers (rev. 10/21/25), Wayback capture of tax.colorado.gov, Aug 23, 2026
- Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (data as of Feb 11, 2026)
- Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 11 (rates as of April 28, 2026)
- Colorado FAMLI Division - Employers (premium split, small employers, wage cap)
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 federal tax tables)