Denver County · Colorado
Denver, CO sales tax rate
Colorado is a home-rule state: Denver administers and collects its own city sales tax separately from the state, so filings go to two agencies.
Quick answer
The combined sales tax rate in Denver, CO is 8.81% as of January 1, 2026 — 2.9% state + 4.81% city + 1% special district + 0.1% special district. On a $100 purchase that is $8.81 in tax, for a total of $108.81. Colorado's statewide base is 2.9%.
- Combined rate
- 8.81%
- State share
- 2.9%
- Local share
- 5.91%County + city + districts
- Tax on $100
- $8.81
Calculate Denver sales tax
Pre-filled with the Denver combined rate.
Sales tax calculator
The full combined rate of 8.81% applies to general merchandise.
Enter a pre-tax amount to see the tax due in Denver, CO.
- Pre-tax
- $100
- Sales tax at 8.81%
- $8.81
- Total
- $108.81
Tax is rounded to the nearest cent on the full transaction, which is how most registers compute it. Line-item rounding can differ by a cent or two on long receipts.
Jurisdiction breakdown
Every layer that makes up the combined rate, and how much of the total each one contributes.
| Jurisdiction | Level | Rate | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado state | state | 2.9% | 33% |
| City and County of Denver | city | 4.81% | 55% |
| Regional Transportation District (RTD) | special district | 1% | 11% |
| Scientific and Cultural Facilities District | special district | 0.1% | 1% |
| Combined rate | 8.81% |
Denver sales tax reference table
Tax due at 8.81% on common purchase amounts.
| Purchase | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.88 | $10.88 |
| $25 | $2.20 | $27.20 |
| $50 | $4.41 | $54.41 |
| $100 | $8.81 | $108.81 |
| $500 | $44.05 | $544.05 |
| $1,000 | $88.10 | $1088.10 |
| $5,000 | $440.50 | $5440.50 |
| $25,000 | $2202.50 | $27202.50 |
Reverse out sales tax
Enter a receipt total and we split the item price from the 8.81% tax collected.
Backing out 8.81% for Denver, CO.
- Item price before tax
- $100
- Sales tax collected
- $8.81
What this rate applies to
Colorado publishes the taxable base separately from the rate. Groceries, prescription drugs, clothing and services are treated differently state to state, and several categories in Colorado are taxed at reduced rates or exempt entirely. Colorado is a home-rule state: Denver administers and collects its own city sales tax separately from the state, so filings go to two agencies. Check the Colorado Department of Revenue guidance for the category you are pricing before assuming 8.81% applies.
Denver at a glance
- Population
- 715,522
- Median household income
- $91,120
- County
- Denver County
- ZIP codes covered
- 12
Compare with other Colorado cities
Other covered Colorado metros and how they compare.
Neighboring districts tax profiles
The closest covered jurisdictions by county and ZIP sectional centre, with the rate difference against this metro.
Compare Denver with another metro
Side-by-side rate stacks and the dollar difference on a $1,000 purchase.
Cities near Denver
Straight-line distance, estimated drive time and the rate charged there.
Download this metro's data
The Denver jurisdiction stack, combined rate (8.81%), effective date and Census figures are published as open files. Free to use with attribution — no key, no signup.