Yes, your wages can be garnished for non-payment of a debt. In Colorado, creditors can take 25% of your take-home pay if you do not pay a debt – but they must have a court-ordered judgment against you in order to do so. A tactic that creditors use from time to time is to say, “If you don’t pay this tomorrow we’re going to garnish your wages.” That will not happen. The only way they can garnish your wages is to bring suit against you and receive a court-ordered judgment granting them that right.