Colorado paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | A flat 4.4% of federal taxable income |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | The federal standard deduction of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (married filing jointly) |
| State payroll taxes | FAMLI (0.44% of wages up to $184,500, half of the 0.88% premium) |
| Local income taxes | Denver charges employees an occupational privilege tax of $5.75 a month in any month they earn $500 or more for work in the city; Glendale, Greenwood Village and Sheridan charge smaller monthly amounts. |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 7.89% average combined rate — Colorado sales tax calculator |
How Colorado taxes your paycheck
A flat 4.4% of federal taxable income. The calculation starts from federal taxable income, and filers get the federal standard deduction of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (married filing jointly). Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your Colorado return.
State payroll contributions
- FAMLI: 0.44% of wages up to $184,500, half of the 0.88% premium. Source: Colorado FAMLI Division, 2026 premium rate.
The calculator applies these to gross pay minus Section 125 (pre-tax health) deductions. They fund benefits you can claim yourself, such as partial wage replacement during a disability or a family or medical leave.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Colorado
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Colorado income tax | −$82.75 | −$2,151.60 |
| CO FAMLI | −$11.00 | −$286.00 |
| Take-home pay | $1,998.84 | $51,969.90 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Colorado: $65,000 − $16,100 federal standard deduction = $48,900 taxable; the brackets give $2,151.60 (3.31% of pay).
FAMLI $286.00.
All taxes together take 20% of gross pay, leaving $51,969.90.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Colorado
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | CO income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,092 | $1,272.78 | $1,052 | 17.3% | $35,641 |
| $50,000 | $40,643 | $1,563.21 | $1,492 | 18.7% | $43,392 |
| $65,000 | $51,970 | $1,998.84 | $2,152 | 20% | $54,858 |
| $80,000 | $61,946 | $2,382.55 | $2,812 | 22.6% | $66,185 |
| $100,000 | $75,048 | $2,886.48 | $3,692 | 25% | $81,287 |
| $150,000 | $107,239 | $4,124.59 | $5,892 | 28.5% | $117,342 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
Colorado compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Colorado ranks 31 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Nebraska and Oklahoma would leave you more each year; Kansas and Utah would leave less.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $2,152 | $286 | $51,970 | — |
| Wyoming | $0 | $0 | $54,408 | +$2,438 |
| Nebraska | $2,078 | $0 | $52,330 | +$360 |
| Kansas | $2,827 | $0 | $51,580 | −$390 |
| Oklahoma | $2,380 | $0 | $52,028 | +$58 |
| New Mexico | $1,889 | $0 | $52,518 | +$548 |
| Utah | $2,535 | $0 | $51,873 | −$97 |
| Arizona | $1,223 | $0 | $53,185 | +$1,215 |
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Colorado?
About $51,970 a year, or $1,998.84 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare, $2,152 of Colorado income tax and $286 of FAMLI. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $54,858.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. A flat 4.4% of federal taxable income. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $2,152 a year, 3.31% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Colorado?
Besides federal taxes and state income tax, Colorado employees pay FAMLI (0.44% of wages up to $184,500, half of the 0.88% premium). On a $65,000 salary that comes to about $286 a year.
Do cities or counties in Colorado tax wages?
Denver charges employees an occupational privilege tax of $5.75 a month in any month they earn $500 or more for work in the city; Glendale, Greenwood Village and Sheridan charge smaller monthly amounts.
Is take-home pay higher in Colorado or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Colorado ranks 31 of 51 for take-home pay at $51,970. Wyoming ($54,408), Arizona ($53,185) and New Mexico ($52,518) leave more, while Kansas ($51,580) and Utah ($51,873) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Colorado withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Colorado income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.