How to use the Colorado paycheck calculator
- 1 Enter your pay and choose whether it is a yearly salary or an hourly wage (with hours a week).
- 2 Choose how often you are paid and your filing status.
- 3 Enter your children under 17 and your 401(k) contribution. Choose Denver or Aurora if you work there.
- 4 Read your take-home pay per paycheck and every deduction.
Worked example
A single Colorado worker earning $60,000 a year, paid every two weeks, with 5% to a 401(k). From each $2,307.69 check: $115.38 of 401(k), $179.23 of federal income tax and $176.54 of Social Security and Medicare, $69.22 of Colorado tax (4.4% of $40,900 federal taxable income) and $10.15 of FAMLI. Take-home pay is $1,757.17. In Denver, the OPT adds $5.75 a month.
Getting more from a Colorado paycheck
- Check your pay stub against the calculator once a year.
- Raise your 401(k) to cut federal and state tax.
- Update your W-4 after marriage, a child or a raise.
- Check the FAMLI line: 0.44% of wages up to $184,500.
Compare with the Arizona Paycheck Calculator, the Texas Paycheck Calculator and see your 401(k) growth with the 401(k) Calculator.
Features
Flat 4.4%
On federal taxable income.
FAMLI premium
0.44% employee share up to the wage base.
Denver and Aurora OPT
Monthly occupational privilege taxes.
When to use it
Denver job offers
See take-home pay with Denver's OPT. Convert hourly pay with the Hourly to Salary Calculator.
Moving to Arizona or Texas
Compare with the Arizona Paycheck Calculator.
Retirement saving
See your 401(k) growth with the 401(k) Calculator.
Withholding check
Check your W-4 with the W-4 Withholding Calculator.
Related Pay and Salary tasks
Frequently asked questions
How much is taken out of a Colorado paycheck?
On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks with 5% to a 401(k), about $69 of Colorado tax and $10 of FAMLI come out of each check, plus $179 of federal tax and $177 of Social Security and Medicare.
What is the Colorado income tax rate for 2026?
A flat 4.4% of Colorado taxable income, which starts from federal taxable income. The rate can be cut temporarily in years with large TABOR surpluses.
Does Colorado use the federal standard deduction?
Yes. Colorado starts with federal taxable income, so the federal standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 joint for 2026) already reduces Colorado tax.
What is FAMLI on my pay stub?
Colorado's Family and Medical Leave Insurance premium. In 2026 the total premium is 0.88% of wages up to $184,500, and employees pay half, 0.44%.
What is the Denver occupational privilege tax?
Employees who earn at least $500 a month working in Denver pay $5.75 a month, and employers pay $4. Aurora charges employees $2 a month.
What is a TABOR refund?
When state revenue exceeds the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights limit, Colorado refunds the surplus to taxpayers, sometimes through a temporary rate cut or a flat refund on the return.
Does Colorado tax Social Security?
Colorado exempts Social Security for people 55 and older and allows a pension and annuity subtraction.
Do I need a Colorado W-4?
No. Colorado can use your federal W-4, but you can file Form DR 0004 to adjust Colorado withholding.
Do 401(k) contributions lower Colorado tax?
Yes. Traditional 401(k) contributions are excluded from Colorado taxable wages as well as federal. They do not reduce Social Security or Medicare.
How is federal tax worked out here?
Your yearly pay minus 401(k) contributions and the $16,100 federal standard deduction ($32,200 joint) is taxed at the 2026 brackets, then $2,200 is subtracted for each child under 17.
Is this my exact paycheck?
It is a close estimate. Employers use official withholding tables, and other deductions such as health insurance, HSA or union dues change your check.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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