Colorado Take-Home Pay Calculator
4.4% flat rateEstimate your net paycheck after federal taxes, FICA, and Colorado state income tax.
Last updated: April 2026
Colorado Income Tax
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% income tax rate for all taxpayers.
Colorado State Income Tax: What You Need to Know
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% income tax rate for all taxpayers.
Colorado uses a flat 4.4% income tax rate on all taxable income, reduced from 4.55% under Proposition 121 (the TABOR Tax Cut) effective 2022. Colorado's flat rate applies uniformly — no brackets, no phase-outs — making paycheck math straightforward. Colorado conforms closely to federal definitions of income, and the state standard deduction equals the federal standard deduction ($15,000 for single filers in 2026), meaning the same portion of income sheltered from federal tax is also sheltered from Colorado tax. Denver does not impose a city income tax on wages, though it charges a small Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) of $5.75/month ($69/year) on employees earning over $500/month — a nominal flat fee, not a percentage. Other Colorado cities like Aurora, Greenwood Village, and Glendale charge similar small OPT fees. Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) is a constitutional cap on state revenue growth. When Colorado collects above the TABOR limit, excess revenue must be refunded to taxpayers — Coloradans have received TABOR refunds multiple years running. Colorado partially exempts Social Security income for taxpayers 65 and older (up to $24,000), and allows a pension and retirement income subtraction of up to $24,000 for those 65+ — making it moderately favorable for retirees. Colorado's overall state tax burden is considered moderate, broadly competitive with North Carolina and significantly lower than California, Oregon, or Minnesota.
On top of state taxes, all workers also pay federal income tax based on the 2026 progressive brackets, plus FICA taxes: Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages).
Our calculator applies Colorado's 4.4% flat rate to your gross income as a simplified estimate. Actual state taxes may vary based on deductions, exemptions, and local taxes not captured in this estimate.
Colorado Take-Home Pay Examples (2026, Single Filer)
Estimates based on standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions. Last updated: April 2026.
| Salary | Federal Tax | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $3,167 | $1,760 | $3,060 | $32,013 |
| $60,000 | $6,617 | $2,640 | $4,590 | $46,153 |
| $80,000 | $10,817 | $3,520 | $6,120 | $59,543 |
| $100,000 | $15,617 | $4,400 | $7,650 | $72,333 |
Frequently Asked Questions: Colorado Taxes
What is Colorado's income tax rate for 2026?
Colorado has a flat 4.4% income tax rate for all taxpayers in 2026. The rate applies equally to all income levels — no brackets, no phase-ins. Colorado reduced its rate from 4.55% to 4.4% in 2022 under Proposition 121 (the TABOR Tax Cut).
Does Denver have a city income tax?
Not exactly. Denver charges a small Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) of $5.75/month (about $69/year) on employees earning more than $500/month in Denver. This is much smaller than a real income tax — it's essentially a flat fee, not a percentage of earnings. Other Colorado cities like Aurora and Greenwood Village also charge similar small OPT fees.
What is TABOR and how does it affect Colorado taxes?
TABOR (Taxpayer's Bill of Rights) is a constitutional amendment that limits how much revenue the Colorado government can collect. When revenue exceeds the TABOR cap, the state must refund the excess to taxpayers — Coloradans have received TABOR refunds in recent years. This is unique to Colorado and means workers sometimes get a small refund check from the state.
Does Colorado tax Social Security income?
Partially. Colorado allows a subtraction for Social Security income for taxpayers 65 and older (up to $24,000). For those under 65, Social Security income that's taxable federally is also generally taxable in Colorado. This makes Colorado moderate — not as favorable as states that fully exempt Social Security.
Does Colorado tax retirement income and pensions?
Colorado allows a pension/annuity subtraction of up to $20,000 for taxpayers ages 55-64, and up to $24,000 for those 65 and older. This applies to most retirement income sources including 401k distributions, IRAs, and pension payments. Colorado is considered moderately retirement-friendly.
How much does a $100,000 salary take home in Colorado?
A single filer earning $100,000 in Colorado takes home approximately $72,333 per year after federal income tax (~$15,617), Colorado state tax (~$4,400), Social Security ($6,200), and Medicare ($1,450). The effective combined tax rate is about 27.7%.