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Wage garnishment and exemptions in Colorado

In Colorado, a creditor can take no more than 20% of your pay. Below: bank accounts, the property Colorado lets you keep, and the steps to claim it.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

Short answer

Colorado sets a lower limit than federal law: no more than 20% of your pay. Stricter than federal: no more than 20% of your disposable earnings a week, and none of the pay below 40 times the federal or Colorado minimum hourly wage. (C.R.S. § 13-54-104(2)(a)) In a bank account: Up to $2,500 total in your bank accounts is exempt. (C.R.S. § 13-54-102(1)(w))

Wage limit
Up to 20%
Federal benefits in a bank account
Up to 2 months protected
Law
Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-54-104(2)(a), 13-54-102(1)(w)

How much can they take from your paycheck in Colorado?

After a court judgment on a credit card, medical bill or other consumer debt.

Pay after taxes and other deductions the law requires, before voluntary ones such as a 401(k).

Enter your take-home payThe most a creditor can take appears here.

An estimate, not legal advice.

Deadline and form to protect your money in Colorado

What Colorado's rules say about claiming an exemption:

  • No automatic head-of-household rule, but you can file a written objection and ask for a hearing to protect more of your pay if what is left is not enough for the actual living expenses of you and your family (proof of the last 60 days of expenses).

Ask the court for the exact form and deadline: Colorado court self-help (official).

Pay or bank account being taken? Claim an exemption →Get the exemption claim letter →

in the Debt lawsuits section

Colorado's limit on wage garnishment

Wage limit
Stricter than federal: no more than 20% of your disposable earnings a week, and none of the pay below 40 times the federal or Colorado minimum hourly wage. (C.R.S. § 13-54-104(2)(a))
Head of household
No automatic head-of-household rule, but you can file a written objection and ask for a hearing to protect more of your pay if what is left is not enough for the actual living expenses of you and your family (proof of the last 60 days of expenses). (C.R.S. § 13-54-104(2)(a)(I)(D))
Law
Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-54-104(2)(a), 13-54-102(1)(w)

Colorado is one of 20 of our 48 state guides with a cap of 20% or less, under the federal 25% (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).

In nearby states

Colorado exemptions for your home, car and belongings

  • Your home is protected up to $250,000 in equity ($350,000 if you, your spouse or a dependent living there is 60 or older or disabled).
  • Up to two vehicles or bicycles are protected up to $15,000 total ($25,000 if elderly or disabled).
  • (C.R.S. §§ 38-41-201(1), 13-54-102(1)(j))

Good to know in Colorado

  • Colorado caps garnishment at 20% of disposable pay, lower than the federal 25%. (C.R.S. § 13-54-104(2)(a))
  • Up to $2,500 in your bank accounts is protected from a collector with a judgment. (C.R.S. § 13-54-102(1)(w))

What Colorado protects in a bank account

Up to $2,500 total in your bank accounts is exempt. (C.R.S. § 13-54-102(1)(w))

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). More in our guide to debt lawsuits.

Other kinds of debt follow other limits

  • Child support: the cap is 50% of disposable earnings (60% if you support no other spouse or child), plus 5% when payments are over 12 weeks behind (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
  • Federal student loans: the government can take up to 15% of disposable pay without suing you, but must mail you notice at least 30 days first (20 U.S.C. 1095a).
  • Other debts owed to a federal agency: up to 15% of disposable pay, and never below the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor (31 CFR 285.11).
  • Federal taxes: an IRS levy leaves you an exempt amount based on your standard deduction and dependents; return the Statement of Dependents and Filing Status your employer gives you within 3 days (26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9), (d); IRS wage levy rules).

Before a garnishment: the court case in Colorado

If you do not file an answer, the court may enter a default judgment against you for what the collector asked for. (Colorado County Court Civil Summons, Form 1)

Answer the lawsuit by the deadline. In Colorado: County court: the summons gives a date and time. You must file a written answer before then, or go to court at that date and time and file it there.

Got court papers? Count your answer deadline →

in the Debt lawsuits section

What to do if you are sued in Colorado

How to claim an exemption in Colorado

  1. Keep every paper

    Look for the date to claim exemptions on every court, employer or bank notice.

  2. Know Colorado's limit

    Colorado's wage rule: Stricter than federal: no more than 20% of your disposable earnings a week, and none of the pay below 40 times the federal or Colorado minimum hourly wage. No automatic head-of-household rule, but you can file a written objection and ask for a hearing to protect more of your pay if what is left is not enough for the actual living expenses of you and your family (proof of the last 60 days of expenses).

  3. Look at your bank account

    Colorado also protects money in an account: Up to $2,500 total in your bank accounts is exempt. (C.R.S. § 13-54-102(1)(w)) Two months of direct-deposited federal benefits must be left alone (31 CFR 212.6).

  4. File the exemption claim

    File the court's exemption claim form before the deadline; the clerk has it. Start with Colorado court self-help (official).

Questions about garnishment in Colorado

What is the wage garnishment limit in Colorado?

Stricter than federal: no more than 20% of your disposable earnings a week, and none of the pay below 40 times the federal or Colorado minimum hourly wage. (C.R.S. § 13-54-104(2)(a))

How much money in a bank account is protected in Colorado?

Up to $2,500 total in your bank accounts is exempt. (C.R.S. § 13-54-102(1)(w))

Does Colorado protect more pay for a head of family?

No automatic head-of-household rule, but you can file a written objection and ask for a hearing to protect more of your pay if what is left is not enough for the actual living expenses of you and your family (proof of the last 60 days of expenses). (C.R.S. § 13-54-104(2)(a)(I)(D))

What are Colorado's property exemptions?

Your home is protected up to $250,000 in equity ($350,000 if you, your spouse or a dependent living there is 60 or older or disabled). Up to two vehicles or bicycles are protected up to $15,000 total ($25,000 if elderly or disabled). (C.R.S. §§ 38-41-201(1), 13-54-102(1)(j))

Can a creditor garnish federal benefits in my bank account in Colorado?

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). Up to $2,500 total in your bank accounts is exempt. (C.R.S. § 13-54-102(1)(w))

Related Colorado pages

Wage garnishment in nearby states

Sources and last check

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources