Colorado Alimony (Spousal Maintenance) Calculator
Colorado’s advisory spousal maintenance guidelines provide a formula to estimate monthly support based on the couple’s combined income, the lower earner’s income, and the length of the marriage.
Reviewed 2026-08-27 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.
How Colorado calculates it
- Start with 40% of the couple’s combined monthly adjusted gross income.
- Subtract the lower‑earning spouse’s monthly income from that 40% amount.
- Multiply the result by 80% if the combined monthly income is $10,000 or less, or by 75% if it exceeds $10,000.
- The guideline applies only to marriages lasting between 3 and 20 years with combined annual income at or under $240,000.
- The advisory duration is a percentage of the marriage length, rising from 31% at 3 years to 50% at 12.5 years and staying at 50% up to 20 years; beyond 20 years the court may order a term or indefinite maintenance.
Worked example
In the example, the higher earner grosses $96,000/year ($8,000/month), the lower earner $36,000/year ($3,000/month) – combined $11,000/month, which is above $10,000 so the 75% factor applies. 40% × $11,000 = $4,400; minus $3,000 = $1,400; × 75% = $1,050/month advisory maintenance. Duration for a 10-year marriage: 45% of 120 months ≈ 54 months.
Frequently asked questions
What does “advisory” mean in Colorado’s spousal maintenance guidelines?
It means the formula provides a suggested amount and duration, but a judge can adjust the award based on the case’s specifics.
Which marriages are covered by the advisory formula?
Marriages that lasted between 3 and 20 years and have a combined annual income at or under $240,000.
How is the percentage factor (80% or 75%) determined?
If the couple’s combined monthly income is $10,000 or less, the factor is 80%; if it is above $10,000, the factor is 75%.
How is the advisory maintenance duration calculated?
The duration is a percentage of the total months of the marriage, starting at 31% for a 3‑year marriage and increasing to 50% for marriages of 12.5 years or longer, staying at 50% up to 20 years.
Can the court order maintenance beyond the advisory amount or duration?
Yes, the court may deviate from the advisory amount or set a term or indefinite maintenance, especially for marriages longer than 20 years.