Colorado Divorce Decisions blog
Colorado maintenance (alimony) in 2026: the formula, a worked example, and the duration table
The formula most articles get wrong, with the current numbers and a worked example.
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For marriages of three years or more with combined income up to $240,000: 40 percent of combined monthly adjusted gross income, minus the lower earner’s income, times 80 percent (combined income up to $10,000 a month) or 75 percent ($10,001 to $20,000). Term: 31 percent of the marriage length at three years rising to 50 percent at twelve and a half years. Advisory only; the court keeps full discretion.
Worked example
A earns $6,000, B earns $2,000. 40 percent of $8,000 is $3,200; minus $2,000 is $1,200; times 80 percent is $960 a month. Married 10 years: 45 percent of 120 months is 54 months.
The old formula still floating around
“40 percent of the higher earner minus 50 percent of the lower earner” is the pre-2019 version and still appears on some county advisement forms. The current statute uses the version above, with the 80/75 percent factor because maintenance is no longer tax-deductible.
What changed in 2025
SB25-116 added domestic violence, coercive control, economic abuse, litigation abuse and related conduct to the factors courts must consider in maintenance, effective August 6, 2025.
The lender angle
Support counts as mortgage income only with six months of receipts and three years of continuance. A 54-month term counted in month 20 fails the test. The full page with the duration table.
Plain-language education from a Colorado real estate group, not legal, tax or financial advice. Numbers are as of September 2026. Disclaimer.
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