Colorado calls alimony “spousal maintenance.” For qualifying marriages, courts begin with an advisory formula based on each spouse’s adjusted gross monthly income. The basic calculation is:

40% of the spouses’ combined adjusted gross monthly income − the lower-earning spouse’s adjusted gross monthly income

Because most current maintenance awards are not tax-deductible for the paying spouse or taxable to the receiving spouse, the result is generally adjusted to:

• 80% of the calculated amount when combined monthly income is $10,000 or less
• 75% of the calculated amount when combined monthly income is between $10,001 and $20,000

For example, if one spouse earns $7,000 per month and the other earns $3,000, the initial calculation is $1,000. Applying the 80% adjustment produces an advisory estimate of $800 per month.

The possible length of maintenance is calculated separately using the length of the marriage. Colorado’s advisory guidelines generally apply when the marriage lasted at least three years, and the spouses’ combined annual adjusted gross income is $240,000 or less.

This formula is just a starting point. A judge must first decide whether maintenance is appropriate and may order a different amount or payment period after considering each spouse’s income, property, financial needs, ability to pay, and other circumstances.

Yes. Colorado law now uses the term spousal maintenance instead of alimony, but they mean the same thing. Spousal maintenance is financial support that one spouse may pay to the other during or after a divorce.

Colorado typically looks at gross income, which may include:

• Salary and wages
• Overtime
• Bonuses
• Commissions
• Self-employment income
• Rental income
• Investment income
• Retirement income in some situations

Determining income can become more complicated when someone owns a business, has irregular earnings or receives compensation beyond a regular paycheck. Learn more about how Colorado courts determine spousal maintenance.

Sometimes. When there's a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, like a major change to income, employment, or financial need, the court can modify the existing maintenance order if permitted under Colorado law.

Review the Colorado Judicial Branch’s instructions for requesting a maintenance modification or termination.

Usually, Colorado's maintenance guidelines only apply to marriages that last for at least 36 months. That doesn't automatically mean maintenance will or won't be awarded for shorter marriages. Every case depends on the specific facts.

There is no single length of time that alimony lasts in Colorado. The possible payment period depends largely on how long the marriage lasted.

For marriages lasting between three and 20 years, Colorado’s advisory guidelines suggest a maintenance term based on the number of months the couple was married. For example:

• A three-year marriage may result in about 11 months of maintenance
• A 10-year marriage may result in about 54 months
• A 20-year marriage may result in about 120 months

For marriages longer than 20 years, a judge may order maintenance for a set period or for an indefinite period. For marriages shorter than three years, the advisory schedule does not apply, but a court may still award maintenance based on the circumstances.

These are guidelines, not guarantees. A judge may order a different payment period after considering each spouse’s finances, age, health, earning ability and other factors. Spouses may also agree to their own maintenance terms. Temporary maintenance can be ordered while a divorce is pending.

Learn more in our guide to spousal maintenance in Colorado.

Our calculator follows Colorado’s guideline formula and is reviewed and updated if the laws change. But no online calculator can account for every legal issue a judge might look at. You can think of your estimate as a handy tool for planning ahead.

Yes. Judges in Colorado are free to award a different amount from the guideline when the situation allows. Typically, the final ordered amount of support is affected by things like unusual income, financial hardship, or other case-specific issues.