Updated July 2026 · Reviewed by Clark Dray — July 17, 2026
The Chapter 7 means-test forms evaluate whether an individual debtor with primarily consumer debts is presumed to be abusing Chapter 7, unless an exemption reported on Official Form 122A-1Supp applies. Form 122A-1 annualizes “current monthly income”—generally the average monthly income received by the debtor, or by both spouses in a joint case, during the six calendar months ending on the last day of the month before filing, plus certain regular household contributions and subject to statutory exclusions—and compares it with the filing-date Colorado median for the applicable household size. If Form 122A-1 shows above-median income and no Form 122A-1Supp exemption applies, Form 122A-2 uses statutory deductions and IRS National and Local Standards to determine whether a presumption of abuse arises. No presumption is not a complete Chapter 7 eligibility determination, and above-median income alone does not require Chapter 13.
How the Colorado Means Test Works
Use the U.S. Trustee Program table that applies on the filing date. For cases filed on or after July 15, 2026, use the July 15, 2026 Colorado table and the current national and local expense standards. Household size, included income, a non-filing spouse, allowable deductions, and special circumstances can require legal judgment. Do not rely on an older income figure copied from a blog post.
Colorado Median Income Figures for the Bankruptcy Means Test
These are the Colorado median family income figures used as screening inputs on Bankruptcy Forms 122A-1 and 122C-1 for cases filed on or after . Choose the household-size figure that applies to the filing.
Household of 1
- Annual Colorado median income
- $87,940
- Derived monthly equivalent
- $7,328.33
Household of 2
- Annual Colorado median income
- $109,497
- Derived monthly equivalent
- $9,124.75
Household of 3
- Annual Colorado median income
- $130,850
- Derived monthly equivalent
- $10,904.17
Household of 4
- Annual Colorado median income
- $153,501
- Derived monthly equivalent
- $12,791.75
Each additional person above 4
- Add to annual median income
- +$11,100
- Add to derived monthly equivalent
- +$925.00
About the monthly amounts: The U.S. Trustee Program publishes annual figures. Each monthly equivalent above is the annual amount divided by 12 and rounded to the nearest cent; it is provided for orientation and is not a separately published USTP figure.
Official source: Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size, U.S. Trustee Program, U.S. Department of Justice. Effective for filings: on or after . Last verified: . Confirm the current USTP means-testing period for the actual filing date.
This is a screening comparison, not a complete Chapter 7 eligibility determination. Household size, included income, statutory exclusions, a non-filing spouse, deductions, special circumstances, and other facts can change the analysis.
Practical Examples
- Income below the applicable Colorado median may allow Form 122A-1 to end the income-based presumption inquiry, but other Chapter 7 eligibility and abuse issues remain.
- Income above the median does not end the analysis. Form 122A-2 may still show no presumption after allowed expenses and statutory calculations.
- A recent job loss, bonus, change in household, or non-filing spouse can make the six-month lookback differ sharply from the current household budget.
Important Limits
Means-test results are filing-date specific. The section 707(b)(2) presumption may not apply when debts are not primarily consumer debts or when a qualifying Form 122A-1Supp military-service exemption applies. Statutory income exclusions, a non-filing spouse, household size, deductions, special circumstances, bad faith, and the totality of the circumstances can require legal judgment. The forms do not decide all Chapter 7 eligibility, property, prior-filing, or discharge issues. This page provides general information, not a calculation or legal advice.
Related Bankruptcy Questions
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Colorado bankruptcy basics
- Qualifying for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy
Schedule a bankruptcy consultation to review the current Colorado means-test figures, your six-month income period, allowable deductions, and whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or a nonbankruptcy option fits your situation.
