Payroll Services in Colorado: Costs, Taxes and Best Providers (2026)
Payroll services for a Colorado business cost $44 to $130 per month for 1 to 10 employees at entry-tier list prices as of November 2026, and every major provider files Colorado payroll taxes. Because Colorado has local or special payroll taxes, choose a provider that files local returns automatically.
Prices verified November 2026
What Colorado employers must handle
Colorado has state income tax plus FAMLI paid-leave premiums and occupational privilege taxes in Denver, Aurora, Glendale and Greenwood Village.
| State income tax withholding | Yes |
| Local or special payroll taxes | Yes — confirm your provider files them |
| State unemployment insurance (SUTA) | Yes — every state; rate assigned to your business annually |
| Federal (FICA, FUTA, income tax) | Yes — handled by every provider listed |
| Where to register | Colorado Department of Revenue |
Minimum wage, SUTA rates and new-hire reporting deadlines change; check Colorado Department of Revenue for current figures. Every provider on this page files Colorado payroll taxes.
Payroll prices for a Colorado business
| Provider (entry plan) | Base / mo | Per employee | 1 emp. | 5 emp. | 10 emp. | 25 emp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP — Essential (quote; est.) | $79 | $5 | $84* | $104* | $129* | $204* |
| Paychex — Flex Essentials (higher tiers quoted) | $39 | $5 | $44 | $64 | $89 | $164 |
| Gusto — Simple | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| OnPay — Payroll Essentials | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| QuickBooks Payroll — Workforce Payroll (Core) | $50 | $7 | $57 | $85 | $120 | $225 |
| Rippling — Platform (required) (higher tiers quoted) | $40 | $8 | $48 | $80 | $120 | $240 |
* Estimate for quote-only providers based on publicly reported quotes; ADP bills per pay run so a weekly payroll costs more. Prices are list prices before promotions.
Want Colorado providers to quote your real headcount? Providers quote below list for the right customer. Tell us your headcount and up to 4 of them compete. Free, about a minute.
Get my quotesBest payroll providers for Colorado employers
Paychex
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
ADP
Businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants.
OnPay
Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
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- Prices verified November 2026
Other states
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- Washington, D.C.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado have state income tax on wages?
Yes. Colorado employers withhold state income tax from employee pay and remit it to Colorado Department of Revenue.
What is the cheapest payroll service in Colorado?
OnPay and Gusto Simple both list at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $39 plus $5 but adds filing fees. For local tax filing, confirm the provider files, not just withholds.
Do I need to register my business for payroll in Colorado?
Yes. Register with Colorado Department of Revenue and with the state unemployment agency before your first payroll. Your provider can file on your behalf but usually needs the account numbers from you.