Colorado Spousal Maintenance Calculator
Estimated Guidelines
Monthly Maintenance Amount:
$0.00
Suggested Duration:
0 months
*Note: These figures are based on Colorado advisory guidelines for combined incomes under $240,000/year.
How Colorado Calculates Spousal Maintenance
In Colorado, "alimony" is legally referred to as spousal maintenance. Unlike child support, which follows strict mathematical rules, maintenance guidelines are advisory. However, judges typically start with the statutory formula provided in Colorado Revised Statutes ยง 14-10-114 for couples with a combined annual adjusted gross income of $240,000 or less.
The Colorado Maintenance Formula
For marriages lasting at least three years, the court uses a specific formula to determine the monthly amount:
- Take 40% of the higher earner's monthly adjusted gross income.
- Subtract 50% of the lower earner's monthly adjusted gross income.
- The total amount (Maintenance + Lower Earner's Income) generally should not exceed 40% of the couple's combined monthly income.
Realistic Example:
Spouse A earns $10,000/month. Spouse B earns $4,000/month.
1. 40% of $10,000 = $4,000.
2. 50% of $4,000 = $2,000.
3. $4,000 – $2,000 = $2,000 monthly maintenance.
Spouse A earns $10,000/month. Spouse B earns $4,000/month.
1. 40% of $10,000 = $4,000.
2. 50% of $4,000 = $2,000.
3. $4,000 – $2,000 = $2,000 monthly maintenance.
Duration of Payments
How long maintenance lasts depends on the length of the marriage. Colorado law provides a table that increases the percentage of the marriage duration as the marriage gets longer:
- 3 Years (36 months): Approximately 11 months (31% of marriage length).
- 5 Years (60 months): Approximately 21 months (35% of marriage length).
- 10 Years (120 months): Approximately 54 months (45% of marriage length).
- 15 Years (180 months): Approximately 90 months (50% of marriage length).
- 20+ Years: The court may award maintenance for a specific term or indefinitely.
Factors the Court Considers
While the calculator provides a starting point, a judge will also look at:
- The financial resources of each party.
- The distribution of marital property.
- The lifestyle established during the marriage.
- The age and health of both spouses.
- The ability of the payor spouse to meet their own needs while paying maintenance.