First-time surrogates in Colorado earn $50,000–$65,000 base compensation plus monthly allowances. See full breakdown below.
| Base Compensation | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Monthly Allowance | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Maternity Clothing | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Lost Wages | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Total Potential | $57,000 – $83,000 |
| Base Compensation | $60,000 – $80,000 |
| Monthly Allowance | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Maternity Clothing | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Lost Wages | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Total Potential | $67,000 – $98,000 |
Colorado has a modern, surrogate-protective statute: the Colorado Surrogacy Agreement Act, C.R.S. §§19-4.5-101 to -114, in force since May 2021. Compensation is expressly authorized and compliant agreements are enforceable, with intended parents becoming parents by operation of law at birth.
§19-4.5-106(1)(g) requires that the agreement “permit the gestational surrogate… to make all health and welfare decisions regarding themselves and the pregnancy.” Colorado does not itemize caesarean consent and embryo counts the way Connecticut does, but the general clause is binding.
§19-4.5-108 lets you terminate any time before gamete or embryo transfer by written notice, and again before a subsequent attempt if no pregnancy results. The intended parents remain liable for your expenses through termination, and absent fraud “no party is liable… for a penalty or liquidated damages for terminating.”
§19-4.5-104 requires you to be at least 21, to have previously given birth, to complete a medical evaluation and a mental health consultation, and to have independent legal representation by a Colorado-licensed attorney throughout. There is no residency requirement and no statutory insurance mandate — a real gap next to Connecticut and Delaware.
Pre-birth orders are available statewide with no hearing required, for all family structures, regardless of genetic connection.
Source: C.R.S. §§19-4.5-101 to -114 (Colorado Surrogacy Agreement Act).
Several of these are Colorado law, not agency preference. C.R.S. §19-4.5-104 requires that you be at least 21, have previously given birth, complete a medical evaluation and a mental health consultation, and have your own Colorado-licensed attorney. BMI limits, smoking rules and public-assistance restrictions are agency criteria, not statute.
Final eligibility is determined by the agency's medical team.
Complete application in 10–15 minutes. Agency contacts you within 48 hours.
Physical exam, bloodwork, and uterine evaluation — paid for by the agency.
Review profiles and meet potential intended parents. You always have the right to say no.
Surrogacy agreement reviewed by your own attorney, funded by the agency.
Monthly compensation begins immediately after transfer. All medical costs covered.
Remaining compensation disbursed around delivery. Post-delivery allowances continue up to 6 weeks.
Yes. The Colorado Surrogacy Agreement Act authorizes compensation, protects your health and welfare decisions, and lets you terminate before transfer without penalty or liquidated damages.
Typically yes. Most agencies require you to live in the state where you carry the pregnancy, as medical care and legal jurisdiction are state-specific.
Base compensation is generally taxable at the federal level. Expense reimbursements (travel, maternity clothes) are typically not taxable. Consult a tax professional for Colorado-specific guidance.
18–24 months from application to delivery: matching (1–6 months), medical screening, legal review, and the full pregnancy term.
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