Colorado sales tax affects every purchase you make in the Centennial State. The state rate looks low at just 2.90%. However, local taxes from cities, counties, and special districts push your actual bill much higher. The average combined rate reaches 7.89% statewide. That means a $500 television costs you an extra $39.45 in tax. Understanding how Colorado sales tax works helps you keep more money in your wallet. This guide breaks down exactly what you pay and where you can save.
Colorado Sales Tax Rate: The Basics
Colorado charges a state sales tax rate of just 2.90%. That is one of the lowest state rates in the country. However, cities and counties add their own taxes on top. The average local add-on is 4.99%. As a result, the average combined Colorado sales tax rate hits 7.89%. That sits above the national average of 7.53%. Special districts like RTD and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District add even more in the Denver metro area.
| Tax Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Colorado state sales tax | 2.90% |
| Average local tax (city + county + special districts) | 4.99% |
| Average combined rate | 7.89% |
| National average combined rate | 7.53% |
The low state rate is misleading. Local taxes do the heavy lifting in Colorado. Some cities charge over 6% in local taxes alone. Always check the rate for your specific address before budgeting a big purchase. The Colorado Department of Revenue offers a free address lookup tool on its website.
What Colorado Does and Does Not Tax
Not everything you buy in Colorado gets taxed. Groceries are the biggest win for shoppers. Unprepared food is exempt from the 2.90% state tax. Specifically, items you can buy with SNAP or WIC benefits qualify for this exemption. Prescription medications are also fully exempt. However, there are some catches to watch out for.
Clothing is fully taxable in Colorado. Unlike states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you pay Colorado sales tax on every shirt, pair of shoes, and winter coat. Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and cold medicine are also taxed. Prepared food from restaurants and delis is taxable too. Knowing these rules helps you plan your shopping trips more strategically.
| Category | Taxed? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries (unprepared food) | Exempt at state level | Some cities still tax groceries locally |
| Prepared food / restaurant meals | Yes | Taxed at the full combined rate |
| Clothing and shoes | Yes | No clothing exemption in Colorado |
| Prescription drugs | No | Fully exempt from state and local tax |
| Over-the-counter medicine | Yes | Vitamins and supplements also taxed |
| Prescription medical devices | No | Must be prescribed by a doctor |
| Electronics and appliances | Yes | Taxed at the full combined rate |
In addition, some home-rule cities choose whether to exempt groceries from their local tax. Denver exempts groceries from its city tax. Other cities may not. Check your city’s policy before assuming your grocery bill is tax-free.
Colorado Sales Tax by City and County
Where you shop in Colorado matters a lot. Combined rates swing dramatically from one city to the next. Denver shoppers pay 9.15% total. Lakewood shoppers pay 7.50%. That difference adds up fast on big purchases. For example, a $1,000 laptop costs $91.50 in Denver but $75.00 in Lakewood. That is a $16.50 difference on one item alone.
| City | Combined Sales Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Denver | 9.15% |
| Boulder | 9.045% |
| Westminster | 9.00% |
| Aurora | 8.50% |
| Thornton | 8.50% |
| Fort Collins | 8.30% |
| Colorado Springs | 8.20% |
| Arvada | 7.96% |
| Pueblo | 7.60% |
| Lakewood | 7.50% |
Denver metro shoppers pay extra due to special district taxes. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) adds 1.00%. The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District adds 0.10%. The Football Stadium District adds another 0.10%. These special districts alone add 1.20% to your bill if you shop in the metro area. Shoppers outside Denver generally avoid these surcharges.
Rates can even vary within the same city. Overlapping special taxing districts mean your exact address determines your rate. Use the state’s GIS lookup tool for precision.
Colorado Sales Tax Holidays
Colorado does not offer any sales tax holidays. There is no back-to-school weekend. There is no Energy Star appliance holiday. There is no hurricane preparedness exemption. This puts Colorado behind many other states that give shoppers a tax break at least once a year.
However, nearby New Mexico holds a back-to-school tax holiday each summer. In 2026, it runs July 31 through August 2. Clothing and shoes under $100 qualify. Computers up to $1,000 and school supplies under $30 are also included. Oklahoma also offers a back-to-school holiday in early August for clothing under $100.
Since Colorado lacks tax holidays, timing your purchases around seasonal sales and clearance events becomes even more important. You cannot avoid the tax, so focus on getting the lowest pre-tax price instead.
Online Shopping and Colorado Sales Tax
Colorado uses destination-based sourcing for online purchases. This means the tax rate is based on your delivery address. It does not matter where the seller is located. If you live in Denver and order from a warehouse in Pueblo, you pay the Denver rate of 9.15%.
All major online retailers collect Colorado sales tax automatically. Amazon, Walmart, Target, and eBay sellers all charge your local combined rate at checkout. This applies to out-of-state sellers too. Any retailer with economic nexus in Colorado must collect and remit sales tax. As a result, shopping online does not save you any tax compared to buying in store.
🔥 Get Free Deal Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
In addition, Colorado requires marketplace facilitators to handle tax collection. That covers platforms like Amazon Marketplace, Etsy, and eBay. Even small third-party sellers on these platforms charge you the correct Colorado sales tax rate. You can still save money online by stacking coupons and cashback offers to offset the tax hit.
Smart Shopping Tips for Colorado
1. Stock up on groceries strategically. Unprepared food is exempt from the 2.90% state tax. However, some cities still add local tax on groceries. If your city taxes food locally, consider shopping in a neighboring city that does not. The savings add up over a year of weekly grocery runs.
2. Compare rates before big purchases. Colorado sales tax rates vary by over 1.5% between nearby cities. Before buying a major appliance or piece of furniture, check rates in surrounding towns. Driving 15 minutes to a lower-rate city could save you $15 to $30 on a $1,000 purchase. Check our guide to saving money shopping online for more strategies.
3. Use cashback apps on every purchase. Since you cannot avoid Colorado sales tax, recoup some of it through cashback. Apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Capital One Shopping return 1% to 10% on everyday purchases. On a $200 shopping trip taxed at 9%, that is $18 in tax. Even 5% cashback recovers more than half of that. Browse our cashback app reviews to find the best options.
4. Buy prescription items when possible. Prescription drugs and medical devices are completely exempt from Colorado sales tax. If your doctor can write a prescription for a medical device or supply, you skip the tax entirely. This matters most for expensive items like CPAP machines or orthotics.
5. Watch for Wyoming day trips. Wyoming has no state sales tax at all. Shoppers in northern Colorado near Fort Collins or Cheyenne can save significantly on large purchases by crossing the border. Specifically, this makes sense for big-ticket items like electronics or furniture where 8% tax adds up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Colorado?
The Colorado sales tax rate at the state level is 2.90%. However, the combined rate including local taxes averages 7.89%. Your actual rate depends on your city and county. Denver residents pay 9.15% while Lakewood residents pay 7.50%. Always check the rate for your specific address.
Are groceries taxed in Colorado?
Unprepared groceries are exempt from the 2.90% Colorado state sales tax. However, some cities still charge their local tax on food. Prepared meals, restaurant food, and hot deli items are always fully taxable. Check whether your city exempts groceries from local tax as well.
Does Colorado have a sales tax holiday?
No. Colorado does not currently offer any sales tax holidays. There is no back-to-school weekend or other tax-free shopping period. Nearby New Mexico and Oklahoma both hold annual back-to-school tax holidays if you are willing to travel. For Colorado shoppers, focusing on sale prices and cashback offers is the best way to offset the Colorado sales tax you pay year-round.
Start Saving on Every Purchase
Now that you know your state’s sales tax rates, use that knowledge to time your purchases and stack savings. Combine tax-free shopping periods with cashback apps and coupon codes to keep more money in your pocket.
Official Sources
- Tax Foundation — state and local sales tax data
- IRS.gov — federal tax information
- FTC Consumer Information — shopping rights and protections
Rates current as of May 2026. Sales tax rates change periodically. Always verify current rates with your state’s revenue department.