Check your refund status through the Colorado Department of Revenue

The Colorado Department of Revenue operates a refund tracker on its website where you can see the status of your state tax return. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return to use it. The tracker updates once per week, usually on Wednesdays, so checking daily will not show new information.

Go to tax.colorado.gov and look for the "Where's My Refund?" tool. Enter your information exactly as it appears on your return — mismatched names or Social Security numbers will cause the search to fail. The tool will tell you whether your return is still being processed, has been approved, or has been sent to your bank.

If you filed electronically, the state typically processes your return within 21 days. If you mailed a paper return, allow 4 to 6 weeks from the date the Department receives it. The tracker will show you which stage your return is in, but it cannot tell you why a return is delayed.

Key Takeaways

  • The Colorado Department of Revenue's "Where's My Refund?" tool is the official way to check your state refund status, and it updates once per week on Wednesdays.
  • Electronic returns are usually processed within 21 days; paper returns take 4 to 6 weeks from receipt.
  • You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to search — information must match your return exactly.
  • If the tracker shows your return was sent to your bank but you have not received it, contact your bank's customer service rather than the Department of Revenue.
  • The Department does not send refund status updates by email or text — you must check the website yourself.

What the refund status messages mean

The tracker uses several standard messages to describe where your return is in the process. "Return received" means the Department has your return but has not yet begun reviewing it. "Being processed" means the Department is checking your return for errors and verifying the information you provided. This stage usually takes the longest.

"Approved" means the Department has finished reviewing your return and has calculated your refund. At this point, the refund has been sent to the bank or payment processor — it is no longer in the Department's hands. "Refund sent" means the Department has transmitted the money to your financial institution and you should see it within 1 to 3 business days if you chose direct deposit, or within 7 to 10 business days if you requested a check by mail.

If your return shows "Approved" but you have not received the money after waiting the expected time, the delay is usually on your bank's side, not the Department's. Contact your bank to confirm they received the deposit and to ask when it will post to your account.

Why your refund might be delayed

The most common reason for a delay is a mismatch between the information on your return and the information on file with the IRS or the Social Security Administration. This includes misspelled names, incorrect Social Security numbers, or a name change you have not reported to the IRS. The Department will attempt to contact you by mail if this happens, but the process adds 2 to 4 weeks.

A second common cause is claiming a dependent or credit that the Department needs to verify. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, or listed a dependent, the Department may hold your return for additional review. This is standard procedure and does not mean there is an error on your return.

If you owe back taxes, child support, or other state debts, the Department may offset your refund to pay those obligations. The tracker will not always show this reason directly — you may see "Approved" but never receive the money. If you believe this has happened, contact the Department of Revenue directly at 303-238-7378 to ask whether your refund was offset.

Requesting a refund check instead of direct deposit

If you chose direct deposit on your return but want a check instead, you cannot change this after you file. The Department will send the refund to the bank account you listed, and you cannot redirect it once it has been transmitted to that bank.

If the bank account information on your return is incorrect or belongs to a closed account, contact the Department of Revenue at 303-238-7378 as soon as you see "Refund sent" on the tracker. The Department may be able to stop the deposit and reissue the refund as a check, but this must happen quickly — once the money reaches the bank, the Department cannot retrieve it.

For future years, you can request a check by mail instead of direct deposit when you file your return. This takes longer — typically 7 to 10 business days after the Department approves your return — but gives you control over how you receive the money.

What to do if the tracker shows no results

If you search the tracker and receive a message that no return was found, first verify that you entered your information correctly. The Social Security number and filing status must match your return exactly. If you filed jointly, use the primary taxpayer's Social Security number and "Married Filing Jointly" as your status.

If your information is correct and the tracker still shows no results, your return may not have been received yet. If you filed electronically, wait at least 24 hours before searching again. If you mailed a paper return, allow 2 to 3 weeks for it to reach the Department's processing center before searching.

If you have waited the appropriate time and the tracker still shows nothing, contact the Department of Revenue at 303-238-7378. Have your return and a copy of your filing confirmation (if you filed electronically) ready when you call. The Department can tell you whether your return was received and, if it was, why it is not showing in the tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my federal refund status on the Colorado Department of Revenue website?

No. The Colorado tracker only shows your state refund. To check your federal refund, go to the IRS website at irs.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool there. Federal and state refunds are processed separately and may arrive at different times.

My tracker shows my refund was sent, but I have not received it after two weeks. What do I do?

Contact your bank or credit union first — the delay is almost always on their end once the Department has sent the money. Ask them to confirm they received the deposit and when it will post. If your bank has no record of receiving it, then contact the Department of Revenue at 303-238-7378 with your return information and the date the tracker showed "Refund sent."

Do I need to file a Colorado return if I only lived there part of the year?

That depends on your income and how long you lived in Colorado. The Department of Revenue website has a residency guide that explains the rules. If you do file and are owed a refund, the tracker will show its status the same way as for full-year residents.

What if I made a mistake on my return after I filed it?

You can file an amended return using Form 104X. File it as soon as you notice the error — the sooner you file, the sooner the Department can process it. If you are owed additional money, it will be refunded. If you owe more, you will receive a bill. The amended return will show in the tracker under a separate entry.

Can I call the Department to ask why my refund is taking so long?

Yes, you can call 303-238-7378, but the Department's phone lines are often busy during tax season. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and return information ready. The representative can tell you what stage your return is in, but they cannot speed up processing.