A colorant composition for use in coating compositions is disclosed. The colorant composition comprises a pigment component, for imparting a color to the coating composition, and a liquid vehicle for the pigment component. At least a portion of the liquid vehicle is a nitrogencontaining component selected from compounds which have a formula and mixtures thereof, wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of H, monovalent hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, divalent hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to about 2 carbon atoms,and R'OH wherein R' is a divalent hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, provided that the compound includes at least one hydroxyl group and if one R is a divalent radical then another R is a bond in the divalent radical or is another divalent radical. The use of such nitrogen-containing components provides colorant compositions having substantial benefits, e.g., substantially similar or better performance characteristics and reduced toxicity relative to current colorant compositions.