Colorado income tax in 2026
Colorado charges a flat 4.4% on taxable income. Single filers subtract $16,100 in deductions and exemptions first ($32,200 for married couples filing jointly).
What to know about taxes in Colorado
Colorado charges a flat income tax on federal taxable income, so it effectively uses the federal standard deduction. The rate has been trimmed in years when state revenue exceeded the limits set by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR).
- Denver and Aurora charge employees a small monthly occupational privilege tax.
- The FAMLI paid leave program is funded by a payroll premium split between employer and employee.
Largest cities: Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder.
Take-home pay in Colorado by salary
What common salaries look like after taxes in Colorado for a single filer.
| Salary | Take-home / year | Per month | Bi-weekly | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $25,541 | $2,128 | $982 | 14.9% |
| $40,000 | $33,092 | $2,758 | $1,273 | 17.3% |
| $50,000 | $40,643 | $3,387 | $1,563 | 18.7% |
| $60,000 | $48,194 | $4,016 | $1,854 | 19.7% |
| $70,000 | $55,395 | $4,616 | $2,131 | 20.9% |
| $80,000 | $61,946 | $5,162 | $2,383 | 22.6% |
| $90,000 | $68,497 | $5,708 | $2,635 | 23.9% |
| $100,000 | $75,048 | $6,254 | $2,886 | 25.0% |
| $120,000 | $88,150 | $7,346 | $3,390 | 26.5% |
| $150,000 | $107,239 | $8,937 | $4,125 | 28.5% |
| $200,000 | $140,024 | $11,669 | $5,386 | 30.0% |
Where your taxes go
- Take-home pay$48,19480.3%
- Federal income tax$5,0208.4%
- Social Security$3,7206.2%
- Medicare$8701.5%
- Colorado income tax$1,9323.2%
- State payroll (SDI/PFML)$2640.4%
- Federal income tax ($5,020). Charged on $43,900 of taxable income after the standard deduction, with a top rate of 12% on your last dollar.
- Social Security ($3,720). This 6.2% payroll tax builds your future Social Security retirement benefit.
- Medicare ($870). It funds hospital insurance for people aged 65 and over, at 1.45% of your pay.
- Colorado income tax ($1,932). Charged on $43,900 after state deductions, marginal rate 4.4%.
- State payroll contributions ($264). Disability insurance or paid family leave withheld from your paycheck.
How Colorado compares with other states
Colorado ranks #30 of 51 for take-home pay on $60,000. The gap between the best state (Florida) and the worst (Oregon) is $4,401 a year.
Top 5, your state and bottom 5. Single filer, no pre-tax contributions.
How a 401(k) changes your paycheck
Traditional 401(k) contributions come out of your paycheck before income tax, so saving for retirement costs you less than the amount you put in.
| Contribution | Saved per year | Take-home pay | Per month | Income tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | $0 | $48,194 | $4,016 | — |
| 3% | $1,800 | $46,690 | $3,891 | $295 |
| 6% | $3,600 | $45,185 | $3,765 | $590 |
| 10% | $6,000 | $43,178 | $3,598 | $984 |
| 15% | $9,000 | $40,670 | $3,389 | $1,476 |
Single vs married filing jointly
If you are married and your spouse has no income, filing jointly doubles the standard deduction and widens every bracket.
| Single | Married, one income | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $5,020 | $2,840 |
| State income tax | $1,932 | $1,223 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $4,590 | $4,590 |
| Take-home pay | $48,194 | $51,083 |
Filing jointly would add $2,888 a year ($241 a month) to this household's take-home pay.
What this salary buys you
A simple way to plan $4,016 a month: half for essentials, 30% for lifestyle and 20% for savings.
- $60,000 is 65% of the median household income in Colorado ($92,911).
- With the 30% rule, a comfortable rent is up to $1,500 per month.
- That is 1.9 times the Colorado minimum wage of $15.16/hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. Colorado uses a flat rate of 4.4% in 2026.
What is the income tax rate in Colorado?
Colorado uses a flat rate of 4.4% in 2026.
How much is $60,000 after tax in Colorado?
A single filer earning $60,000 takes home about $48,194 a year, or $4,016 per month.
What is the minimum wage in Colorado?
The minimum wage in Colorado is about $15.16 per hour.
How is my Colorado paycheck calculated?
We subtract federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%) and Colorado income tax, plus state payroll contributions, from your gross pay.
Figures use 2026 IRS federal brackets, the standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare rates, and each state's income tax rules for a W-2 employee. Read our methodology. Last updated September 25, 2026. Estimates for information only, not tax advice.