Colorado sales tax at a glance
Colorado's typical combined rate of 7.89% ranks 16th highest among the 50 states. Colorado pairs the lowest state rate (2.9%) with some of the highest and most varied local rates — up to 9.1% locally.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 7.89%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.97 | $26.97 |
| $100 | $7.89 | $107.89 |
| $500 | $39.45 | $539.45 |
| $2,000 | $157.80 | $2,157.80 |
Colorado vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Colorado's 7.89% is 1.23 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $369 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a 4.4% flat income tax, that shapes how Colorado funds itself — see the Colorado paycheck calculator for the payroll side.
Border shopping is real: here's what the same purchases cost across state lines, at each state's average combined rate.
| State | Combined rate | Tax on $250 | Tax on $30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 7.89% | $19.73 | $2,367 |
| Wyoming | 5.39% | $13.48 | $1,617 |
| Nebraska | 6.98% | $17.45 | $2,094 |
| Utah | 7.42% | $18.55 | $2,226 |
| New Mexico | 7.68% | $19.20 | $2,304 |
| Arizona | 8.54% | $21.35 | $2,562 |
| Kansas | 8.71% | $21.78 | $2,613 |
| Oklahoma | 9.06% | $22.65 | $2,718 |
Vehicle purchases are usually taxed by the state where the car is registered, not where it's bought — so the car column shows the rate you'd owe as a resident, not a border-shopping opportunity.
Reading a Colorado receipt
A Colorado receipt typically shows tax as a single line at the combined rate, even though the money is split between the state and one or more local jurisdictions. To check a receipt: multiply the taxable subtotal by 0.0789 (the 7.89% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 12%; if lower, some items were exempt (groceries and prescriptions are exempt or reduced in most states). The reverse mode on the calculator above recovers the pre-tax price from any total.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the sales tax in Colorado in 2026?
Colorado's state sales tax is 2.9%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 4.99% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 7.89% — and up to 12% in the highest-tax localities. Colorado pairs the lowest state rate (2.9%) with some of the highest and most varied local rates — up to 9.1% locally.
+How do I calculate Colorado sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 7.89%, a $107.89 total means a $100.00 price and $7.89 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Colorado sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Colorado sales tax based on your delivery address — the same state and local rate you'd pay in a store.
+How much is sales tax on a $30,000 car in Colorado?
About $2,367 at the 7.89% average combined rate ($870 at the 2.9% state rate alone). Vehicle tax is generally assessed by your state of registration and collected when you title the car; some states cap or exempt private-party sales.
+How does Colorado's sales tax compare nationally?
Colorado's 7.89% average combined rate ranks 16th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Colorado?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 2.9% (state only) up to about 12%. Use a recent receipt or your state revenue department's lookup for your exact address.
Rates as of July 1, 2026, from state revenue departments compiled by the Tax Foundation; local averages are population-weighted. Product exemptions (groceries, clothing, medicine) vary by state. Estimates only — see our terms.