Colorado sales tax calculator
Uses the Colorado rate of 2.9%. Replace it with the combined rate on your receipt for an exact check.
State base rates verified September 2026. This is a general estimate, not tax advice. Need more options? Open the full reverse sales tax calculator.
Use the Colorado sales tax calculator at the top of this page to work out the tax on any price. Type in a price, and the calculator adds the 2.9% Colorado state rate, then shows the tax separately with the total. Local tax applies on top of the state rate, so the combined rate depends on where the sale takes place. Denver is 9.15% and Colorado Springs is 8.20%.
Colorado Sales Tax Rate at a Glance
Colorado charges a 2.9% state sales tax. Cities, counties and special districts add local tax, so the combined rate is higher than 2.9% in most places. Colorado uses destination sourcing, so the rate that applies is the rate at the delivery address. Food for home consumption and prescription drugs are exempt from the 2.9% state tax, but local tax on food can still apply. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins and Lakewood are home-rule cities that collect their own sales tax, and the Colorado Department of Revenue directs users to each city for its local tax.
How to Calculate Colorado Sales Tax
Use these steps for any price in Colorado:
- Take the price before tax.
- Multiply the price by the rate as a decimal. For the 2.9% state rate, multiply by 0.029.
- Add the tax to the price to get the total.
To work out the price before tax from a total, divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At the 2.9% state rate, divide by 1.029.
Check Your Colorado Sales Tax Rate by Address
Use the Colorado Department of Revenue GIS sales tax lookup to check the rate for a street address. Enter the address, and the tool returns the state and local rate for that spot. Because Colorado uses destination sourcing and home-rule cities set their own local tax, the address check is the surest way to get the right combined rate.
Colorado Sales Tax Rates by City
The table lists the combined state and local rate for five Colorado cities. Aurora spans three counties, so it appears once for each county rate. Rates are as of Nov 7, 2026.
| City | Combined Sales Tax Rate | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 9.15% | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Colorado Springs | 8.20% | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Aurora (Arapahoe County) | 8.00% | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Aurora (Adams County) | 8.50% | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Aurora (Douglas County) | 8.75% | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Fort Collins | 8.30% | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Lakewood | 7.50% | Nov 7, 2026 |
Colorado Sales Tax Examples
Each example shows the math step by step.
$100 at the 2.9% state rate.
$100 x 0.029 = $2.90 tax. $100 + $2.90 = $102.90 total.
$200 in Denver at 9.15%.
$200 x 0.0915 = $18.30 tax. $200 + $18.30 = $218.30 total.
$250 in Aurora (Arapahoe County) at 8.00%.
$250 x 0.08 = $20.00 tax. $250 + $20.00 = $270.00 total.
$102.90 total at the 2.9% state rate.
$102.90 / 1.029 = $100.00 price before tax. $102.90 – $100.00 = $2.90 tax.
Colorado Sales Tax FAQs
What is the Colorado sales tax rate?
Colorado charges a 2.9% state sales tax. Cities, counties and special districts add local tax on top, so the combined rate depends on the address. Denver is 9.15% and Colorado Springs is 8.20%.
Why is the rate different in each part of Aurora?
Aurora spans three counties, and the county part of the rate is not the same in each one. The combined rate is 8.00% in Arapahoe County, 8.50% in Adams County and 8.75% in Douglas County. The street address decides which county rate applies.
Is food taxed in Colorado?
Food for home consumption and prescription drugs are exempt from the 2.9% state tax. Local tax on food can still apply, so the treatment varies by city and county. Check the rate for the address before you pay.
Where do I check the rate for an address?
Use the Colorado Department of Revenue GIS sales tax lookup. Enter the street address, and the tool returns the state and local rate for that spot. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins and Lakewood are home-rule cities that collect their own sales tax.
Does the calculator on this page use the local rate?
No. The calculator starts with the 2.9% Colorado state rate. You can change the rate in the calculator to the combined rate for your address, such as 9.15% for Denver.
Sources
- Colorado Department of Revenue, GIS Sales Tax Lookup
- Colorado Department of Revenue, DR 1002: Colorado Sales/Use Tax Rates
- Colorado Department of Revenue, Sales Tax Guide
This page gives general information only, not tax advice. Rates can change, so check the official source before you rely on a rate.
