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Colorado Chapter 7 Means Test: Do You Qualify?

2026 median income limits for Colorado by household size. Free calculator and filing guide.

Important: This page provides educational information about the Chapter 7 means test in Colorado. Median income data is approximate, based on Census Bureau / DOJ figures effective November 2025. Figures are updated every April and November. Verify current amounts at the DOJ Means Testing page. This is not legal advice.

Colorado Median Income Thresholds (2025-2026)

The table below shows the approximate annual and monthly income thresholds for Colorado by household size. If your annualized income (6-month average multiplied by 12) is at or below the figure for your household size, you pass Part 1 of the means test.

Household SizeAnnual MedianMonthly Equivalent
1 person$72,612$6,051
2 persons$94,396$7,866
3 persons$110,370$9,198
4 persons$128,523$10,710
5 persons$138,423$11,535
6 people$148,323$12,360

For each additional person above 4, add approximately $9,900 to the 4-person figure.

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Bankruptcy Filing in Colorado

Federal Exemptions

Not Available

Colorado requires bankruptcy filers to use state-specific exemptions rather than the federal bankruptcy exemptions. This means the property you can protect in Chapter 7 is determined entirely by Colorado state law. Understanding your state's homestead exemption, vehicle exemption, and wildcard exemption amounts is critical before filing.

Bankruptcy Districts

1 district

Colorado has one federal bankruptcy district. All bankruptcy cases in the state are filed in this single district court.

Colorado Income and the Means Test

The single-person median income threshold in Colorado is $72,612, which is near the national middle range. Filers whose income is close to this threshold should carefully average their last 6 calendar months of gross income. If one or two months had unusually high income (bonus, overtime, severance), waiting for those months to fall outside the 6-month window can change the result.

Tips for Filing in Colorado

  1. Gather all income documentation for the 6 full calendar months before your planned filing date, including pay stubs, tax returns, 1099s, and bank statements.
  2. Review Colorado's exemption schedules carefully -- you must use state exemptions and cannot elect federal exemptions.
  3. Complete the credit counseling requirement (from an approved provider) before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the income limit for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Colorado?

There is no single income limit. The means test compares your annualized income (6-month average times 12) to the median income for your household size. For a single person in Colorado, the current median is approximately $72,612 per year. For a family of four, it is approximately $128,523. If your income is below the median for your household size, you pass Part 1 of the means test.

What exemptions are available in Colorado bankruptcy?

Colorado requires filers to use state exemptions only -- the federal bankruptcy exemptions under 11 U.S.C. Section 522(d) are not available. Key exemptions to research include the homestead exemption, motor vehicle exemption, personal property exemption, and any wildcard exemption that may apply.

What happens if I fail the means test in Colorado?

Failing Part 1 of the means test (having above-median income) does not disqualify you. You must then complete Part 2 (Form 122A-2), which deducts allowable expenses -- including IRS standard amounts, actual secured debt payments, taxes, insurance, and child care. Many above-median filers pass Part 2. If you still do not pass, Chapter 13 is an alternative that allows debt repayment over 3 to 5 years with no income ceiling.

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