Major Changes to Colorado’s Child Support Calculation in 2025, Effective March 1, 2026
On May 31, 2025, Governor Polis signed House Bill 25-1159 into law, ushering in significant updates to Colorado’s child support guidelines under C.R.S. 14-10-115. These changes, effective March 1, 2026, represent a substantial shift in how child support is calculated, particularly for low-income parents and those with shared parenting arrangements.
As the developer of Math4Law, a child support calculator used by attorneys, courts, and self-represented parties across Colorado since 2020, I will be updating the application to reflect these statutory revisions well before they take effect.
HB25-1159 includes many additional changes beyond the calculation method changes listed here. This post does not cover those changes. It is highly advised to review the new law and all its updates.
Here is a summary of the most impactful changes to the child support calculation method:
Updated Support Schedule: Higher Amounts, Expanded Income Range
One of the most straightforward but impactful changes in House Bill 25-1159 is the complete revision of the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations under §14-10-115(7)(b). The entire table has been updated to reflect the increased costs of raising a child. In addition, the new schedule now extends to $40,000 per month in combined adjusted gross income, up from the previous cap of $30,000. This change eliminates the need for extrapolation in many high-income cases. Math4Law will still provide an option to extrapolate beyond $40,000 per month.
Redefining Shared Parenting Time
A major structural change in Colorado’s child support guidelines is the overhaul of how shared physical care affects support, found in §14-10-115(8).
Previously, a case qualified for shared care only if each parent had more than 92 overnights per year. That threshold has been eliminated. Under the new law, shared parenting time is recognized from the first overnight, ensuring that even limited parenting time is formally acknowledged.
Colorado's prior method involved a 1.5x multiplier on the basic schedule amount, followed by an offset calculation based on each parent’s share of overnights. This calculation method has been removed. Instead, the basic support obligation is taken directly from the standard child support schedule. It is then allocated between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes, as it is in sole custody scenarios. Finally, each parent receives a parenting-time credit based on the new parenting time table in section (8)(h).
Introduction of a "Self-Support Reserve"
A key concept in the updated law is the self-support reserve, an amount equal to 29 hours per week at the state minimum wage ($14.81 in 2025), multiplied by 50 weeks and divided by 12. As of 2025, this amount is equal to $1,789.54, but it will change when Colorado’s official minimum wage changes.
Revised Low-Income Adjustments
Under the new framework:
Parents with a monthly adjusted gross income ≤ $650 will still pay $10/month, regardless of the number of children, unless shared parenting time reduces the presumptive obligation below $10, in which case the lower amount applies.
If income is above $650 but below the self-support reserve, support amounts follow a revised low-income schedule (e.g., $50/month for one child, $70 for two, etc.). The calculation method in this case remains the same as before, but the upper bound is no longer fixed at $1,500; instead, it will adjust as the Colorado minimum wage changes.
For low income earners, if the calculated obligation plus adjustments (e.g., for child care or health insurance) exceeds 10% of the parent's income, the total is capped at 10% (instead of the previous 20%).
If a parent's income is between the self-support reserve and full-time minimum wage, their total support obligation (including adjustments) is capped at 20% of income.
Smoothing the Curve for Low-Income Parents: A New Intermediate Step
The new sub-section §14-10-115(7)(a)(V) introduces a “smoothing” calculation for parents whose income is above the self-support reserve but still relatively low. Rather than abruptly jumping from a reduced low-income support amount to the standard obligation from the full child support schedule, the updated law adds a graduated formula that calculates child support more fairly at these income levels. It takes into consideration the income amount above the self-support reserve and the number of children.
Looking Ahead
As the creator of Math4Law, I’m already at work updating the calculator to provide the new calculation method, while retaining the old methods for use in earlier cases. The updated calculation will be available as a preview in Q4 2025, so that family law practitioners can prepare for the transition.
