If you're facing a child support case in Colorado Springs, understanding how the numbers are determined can make the entire process feel less uncertain. Colorado uses a specific formula — called the Income Shares model — to calculate child support, and the result depends on several financial and practical factors about both parents.
The formula is set by state law, so judges and family courts across Colorado, including El Paso County, apply the same basic rules. That said, every family's situation is different, and the details matter a great deal. This article explains the general framework so you know what to expect.
What Is the Income Shares Model for Child Support in Colorado?
Colorado's child support calculation is based on the combined gross incomes of both parents, not just the income of the parent who pays. The idea behind the Income Shares model is that a child should receive roughly the same financial support they would have if both parents were still living together.
The state publishes a schedule that maps combined parental income to a baseline support amount. That baseline is then divided between the parents proportionally, based on each parent's share of the total combined income.
For example, if one parent earns 60 percent of the combined total, that parent generally carries 60 percent of the support obligation. An attorney can confirm how this calculation applies to your specific income situation.
What Counts as Income for Child Support Purposes?
Colorado law defines income broadly, and most sources of money a parent receives can be counted when calculating child support. This includes more than just a regular paycheck.
Common sources of income considered in Colorado child support cases include the following 8 types:
- Wages and salaries
- Self-employment income
- Bonuses and commissions
- Rental income
- Dividends and interest
- Unemployment benefits
- Social Security benefits
- Workers' compensation payments
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or earning less than they are capable of earning, a Colorado court may attribute income to that parent based on their work history and earning potential. A local family law attorney can explain how imputed income rules might affect your case.
How Does Parenting Time Affect the Calculation?
The amount of time each parent spends with the child directly affects the child support amount in Colorado. This is one of the most significant variables in the formula.
When one parent has the child for more overnights per year, the other parent's base obligation generally increases. When parenting time is closer to equal, the support amount may decrease because both parents are directly covering more of the child's daily costs.
Colorado uses the number of overnights per year as the measuring unit. If your parenting plan in Colorado Springs involves a shared schedule, an attorney can walk you through how those overnights translate into the final calculation.
What Additional Expenses Are Added to the Base Support Amount?
Beyond the base child support number, Colorado courts typically add specific shared expenses to the total obligation. These are costs tied directly to the child's needs.
The 3 most common additions are:
- Health insurance premiums — the cost of covering the child on a parent's plan is factored in
- Work-related childcare costs — daycare or after-school care expenses while a parent works are included
- Extraordinary medical expenses — significant out-of-pocket costs beyond routine care may be shared
Each of these is allocated between the parents based on their proportional income shares, the same way the base amount is divided.
Can Child Support Be Different From What the Formula Produces?
Yes — a Colorado court can deviate from the guideline amount in certain situations, though the judge must explain the reason in writing. The formula produces a presumed amount, not an automatic one.
Factors that sometimes support a deviation include a child's unusual medical needs, a parent's significant debt obligations that affect their ability to pay, or arrangements where the child spends time with both parents in a way that isn't captured cleanly by the standard formula.
In Colorado Springs, as elsewhere in the state, deviations are the exception rather than the rule. If you believe your circumstances warrant one, discussing that with a family law attorney is the right starting point.
Can a Child Support Order Be Modified Later?
Child support orders in Colorado can be modified when there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Either parent can request a review.
Common reasons families in Colorado Springs seek modifications include changes like these:
- A significant increase or decrease in either parent's income
- A change in the child's medical or educational needs
- A major shift in the parenting time schedule
- A parent losing a job or becoming disabled
Colorado also allows either parent to request an administrative review of a child support order every three years without having to show a substantial change. An attorney can help you determine whether your situation qualifies for a modification now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Colorado
These are some of the questions people in Colorado Springs most often ask about how child support works in Colorado.
Is child support in Colorado based only on the paying parent's income?
No — Colorado uses both parents' gross incomes to set the base amount under the Income Shares model, then divides that obligation proportionally based on each parent's share of combined earnings.
Does remarriage affect child support in Colorado?
Generally, a new spouse's income is not counted when calculating child support in Colorado. The obligation is based on the biological or legal parents' incomes, not the income of a stepparent.
What happens if a parent doesn't pay child support in Colorado?
Colorado has several enforcement tools, including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt of court proceedings. The state's child support enforcement program can pursue these remedies.
How long does child support last in Colorado?
Child support in Colorado typically continues until the child turns 19, which is the state's age of emancipation for support purposes, unless the child becomes emancipated earlier or other circumstances apply.
If you're dealing with a child support matter in Colorado Springs — whether you're establishing an order, disputing an amount, or seeking a modification — FindCounselNow can connect you with an independent, licensed family law attorney in your area for a free case review. There's no obligation, and speaking with a local lawyer is often the fastest way to understand exactly where you stand.