Colorado child support changed on March 1, 2026 under House Bill 25-1159. The enacted statute amends Colorado Revised Statutes Section 14-10-115. It applies to court orders entered or modified on or after that date.
The update replaces the old 92-overnight threshold with a single worksheet. Every overnight now earns an exact parenting time credit under the statutory table.
What changed under the 2026 law
The legislation restructured the mechanics of Colorado child support:
- One worksheet for all custody schedules: The former Worksheet A and Worksheet B split is gone, including the shared-care Worksheet B. Every case uses a single worksheet. The 1.5 multiplier used on Worksheet B is also repealed.
- Parenting time credits begin at overnight 1: Under C.R.S. Section 14-10-115(8)(h), every overnight earns a credit from the Parenting Time Table. The credit is 0.07% at 1 overnight, 13.19% at 92 overnights, 50.00% at 182.5 overnights, and 100% at 365 overnights.
- Schedule extended to $40,000 monthly income: The combined monthly adjusted gross income schedule runs up to $40,000 in $50 increments. Section 14-10-115(7)(a)(II)(A) requires linear interpolation for income amounts between schedule rows.
- Self-support reserve: The 2026 self-support reserve is $1,831.83 per month. This figure reflects the Colorado minimum wage of $15.16 per hour multiplied by 29 hours per week across 50 weeks and divided by 12 months.
- Low-income protections: When the paying parent earns $650 or less per month, the minimum order is $10. For earnings between $650 and the self-support reserve, reduced obligations apply: $50 for one child, $70 for two, $90 for three, $110 for four, $130 for five, and $150 for six or more children. The add-on cap in this band dropped from 20% to 10% of income. Above the reserve, obligations are bounded by statutory taper percentages (80% to 95%).
Worked example: 92 overnights compared to 120 overnights
To see how the per-overnight credit works, consider two parents supporting one child:
- Paying parent gross monthly income: $5,000 (62.5% share)
- Receiving parent gross monthly income: $3,000 (37.5% share)
- Combined monthly adjusted gross income: $8,000
From the official schedule, the basic child support obligation for $8,000 combined monthly income is $1,209. Before parenting time credits, the paying parent’s preliminary share is 62.5% of $1,209 ($755.63). The receiving parent’s preliminary share is 37.5% ($453.38).
| Step | 92 overnights | 120 overnights |
|---|---|---|
| Combined monthly income | $8,000 | $8,000 |
| Basic child support obligation | $1,209 | $1,209 |
| Paying parent table credit percentage | 13.19% | 21.81% |
| Paying parent credit amount | $159.47 | $263.68 |
| Presumptive monthly child support | $596.16 | $491.94 |
At 92 overnights, the paying parent receives a 13.19% credit ($159.47). Deducting that credit from the parent’s preliminary share leaves $596.16.
At 120 overnights, the credit increases to 21.81% ($263.68). That higher credit reduces the final monthly payment to $491.94.
The additional 28 overnights reduce monthly support by $104.22. Under the old statute, crossing 92 overnights triggered an abrupt formula switch to Worksheet B. Under the 2026 law, both situations run through the same worksheet with smooth per-night adjustments.
Does an existing child support order change automatically?
No. The provisions of HB25-1159 apply to orders entered or modified on or after March 1, 2026. Prior child support orders remain in effect under the terms ordered by the court.
Moving an older order onto the new math takes a modification through the court. For how modifications work in general, read the guide on when child support can change.
When does Colorado child support end?
Colorado child support statutes determine when an obligation ends. For general rules on age limits and emancipating events, see the guide on when child support ends.
Calculate your Colorado support
To test your own numbers with current income and health insurance costs, visit the Colorado child support calculator. If you are drafting a custody schedule, use the parenting time calculator to total overnights across the calendar year.
Questions parents ask
When did the new Colorado child support law take effect?
House Bill 25-1159 took effect on March 1, 2026. The revised schedule and single worksheet govern child support orders entered or modified on or after that date.
Does Colorado still use Worksheet A and Worksheet B?
No. For orders on or after March 1, 2026, Worksheet B and the 1.5 multiplier are repealed. All calculations use a single worksheet with parenting time credits beginning at overnight 1.
Do pre-2026 Colorado child support orders change on their own?
No. Existing child support orders remain in effect as written. A parent must petition the court for a modification to recalculate support under the 2026 guidelines.
