{"place":"Colorado","kind":"state","asOf":"2026-10-07","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado","state":{"code":"CO","name":"Colorado","slug":"colorado","incomeTax":{"type":"flat","flatRate2026":4.4,"lowestRate2026":null,"topRate2026":null,"topRateStartsSingle":null,"notes":"The statutory rate is 4.40% (Proposition 121, starting tax year 2022), and the 2026 DR 0104EP worksheet figures estimated tax at 4.4%. Under SB24-228 (tax years 2024 through 2034), the rate can be temporarily lowered for a tax year when TABOR surplus revenue passes set thresholds. The 2026 estimated tax form does not reflect any reduction for 2026.","source":"https://tax.colorado.gov/individual-income-tax-FAQ"},"estimatedTax":{"form":"DR 0104EP","rule":"You generally must pay estimated tax if you expect to owe more than $1,000 in net Colorado tax for 2026 after withholding and credits. The required annual payment is the smaller of 70% of your 2026 tax or 100% of your 2025 tax (110% if your 2025 federal AGI was over $150,000).","schedule":"Same dates as federal: April 15, June 15, and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.","source":"https://tax.colorado.gov/sites/tax/files/documents/DR_0104EP_2026.pdf"},"minimumWage2026":{"standard":15.16,"tippedCash":12.14,"tipCreditAllowed":true,"notes":"The maximum tip credit is $3.02. Local 2026 minimums: Denver $19.29 ($16.27 tipped), Edgewater $18.17 ($13.50 tipped), City of Boulder $16.82 ($13.80 tipped), and unincorporated Boulder County $16.82. CDLE announced on August 13, 2026 that the state rate rises to $15.71 ($12.69 tipped) in 2027.","source":"https://cdle.colorado.gov/dlss"},"soleProprietorTaxes":[],"contractorLaws":[{"name":"Unemployment insurance independent contractor test (C.R.S. 8-70-115)","summary":"A worker is presumed to be in covered employment unless shown to be free from control and direction and customarily engaged in an independent trade or business related to the work. A signed written contract with the statutory clauses and a bold disclosure (no unemployment benefits; contractor pays own income taxes) creates a rebuttable presumption of independent contractor status.","source":"https://cdle.colorado.gov/independent-contractors"},{"name":"Delivery network company driver protections (HB24-1129, C.R.S. 8-4-126)","summary":"Since January 1, 2025, delivery apps must show drivers and customers what the customer paid and what the driver receives, along with delivery distances. They must pass through 100% of tips and cannot cut base pay because of a tip. They must also publish a written deactivation policy with a challenge process and give drivers at least 60 seconds to accept an offer.","source":"https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1129"},{"name":"Transportation network company transparency (SB24-075, C.R.S. 8-4-127)","summary":"Rideshare companies must tell drivers and riders what the rider paid and what the driver was paid. Since June 1, 2025, they must follow a written deactivation and suspension policy with a reconsideration process, and starting October 1, 2025, a state-certified driver support organization can represent drivers in deactivation and suspension cases.","source":"https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-075"}],"notes":"Colorado's estimated-tax safe harbor is 70% of the current year's tax, lower than the federal 90%. soleProprietorTaxes is empty because we did not verify any state-level franchise, gross receipts, or privilege tax that applies to small sole proprietors."},"stateRetirementProgram":{"state":"Colorado","code":"CO","programName":"Colorado SecureSavings","status":"active","employerMandate":"Employers with 5+ employees, in business 2+ years, with no qualified retirement plan","mandateMin":5,"keyDates":"Launched January 2023. Registration waves closed March 15, 2023 (50+), May 15, 2023 (15–49) and June 30, 2023 (5–14). Newly eligible employers are notified individually.","covers1099":false,"selfEnroll":"yes","sourceUrl":"https://coloradosecuresavings.com","note":"One secondary source gives the 50+ deadline as March 30, 2023; the program-derived sources say March 15, 2023. The program help centre confirms self-enrolment for anyone 18+ with earned income employed in Colorado.","lastVerified":"2026-09-09"},"city":null,"guides":[{"audience":"consultants","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado/consultants"},{"audience":"freelancers","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado/freelancers"},{"audience":"content-creators","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado/content-creators"},{"audience":"entrepreneurs","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado/entrepreneurs"},{"audience":"gig-workers","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado/gig-workers"},{"audience":"tipped-workers","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado/tipped-workers"},{"audience":"tradespeople","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/local/colorado/tradespeople"}],"disclaimer":"Educational information for 2026, not tax, legal or investment advice. Sources are cited per fact."}