Colorado calculates child support based on factors like both parents' income, how many children there are, how often children stay with each parent, childcare costs, and health insurance. The calculated amount is then divided between both parents based on their incomes. 

Courts can also make adjustments based on specific circumstances. Ultimately, the court’s goal is to maintain the child’s standard of living after parents separate.

Child support modifications in Colorado require a substantial and lasting change in circumstances. This typically means a 10 percent increase or decrease in the original order. 

Reasons to modify may include changes in income, childcare costs, healthcare, or how many nights a child spends with each parent. 

Note: General increases in expenses usually don’t warrant modification. 

Even if both parents share custody equally, the higher-earning parent often pays child support to the lower-earning one. This is because the state assumes certain child expenses are duplicated in both homes. 

The amount is calculated based on factors like income, number of overnights, and expenses. Colorado uses a 1.5 multiplier for shared custody cases to account for duplicated costs. 

Ultimately, the goal is to distribute financial support for the child between the parents fairly.