What it takes to be in Colorado's top 1%
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You need to make nearly $900,000 a year to join Colorado's ultra-wealthy club.
By the numbers: Making at least $876,743 annually is enough to put someone in the state's top 1% of earners.
- The figure is based on adjusted gross income (AGI) reported on tax filings in the 2021 tax year, adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Why it matters: The figure represents a considerable jump from the $800,000 most Americans must make to be in the top 1% of households nationally.
State of play: Colorado ranked 8th nationally, showing just how much wealth — and inequity — is building locally.
Context: The high figure is not surprising in a state where the largest metro area requires people to earn six figures to afford a typical starter home, far above the national average.
Zoom out: Washington, D.C., has the highest threshold for one-percenters, at about $1.2 million.
The other side: West Virginians need to make about $426,000 to be in their state's 1%.