Colorado Medicaid: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Medicaid in Colorado is run by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Colorado adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2014, so an adult under 65 qualifies on income alone at or below 138% of the poverty guideline: $1,835 a month for one person in 2026. Children are covered through Child Health Plan Plus, and the application is at co.gov/peak or 800-221-3943. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Health First Colorado |
|---|---|
| Children | Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) |
| Agency | Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing |
| Apply | co.gov/peak · 800-221-3943 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2014 |
| Adult income limit, 2026 | $22,025 a year for one person; $45,540 for four |
| Work requirement | federal deadline January 1, 2027 |
Who qualifies in Colorado
Adults 19 to 64 not on Medicare qualify at or below 138% of poverty (133% plus a 5% disregard), on household modified adjusted gross income, with no asset test. The 2026 figures:
| Household size | Annual income at 138% | Monthly | 100% of poverty (marketplace floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,489 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,142 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448 | $38,680 |
Computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (January 15, 2026).
Children (Child Health Plan Plus), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Colorado sets above the federal minimums.
How Colorado compares
Colorado expanded on the first day it could, January 1, 2014, with the original group of states. On the work requirement it is not among the early starters (Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska), so members have until January 1, 2027. The program's own name, Health First Colorado, is what appears on cards and letters; "Medicaid" may not appear at all, which confuses people who move here.
How to apply for Health First Colorado
- Apply online at co.gov/peak, or call 800-221-3943. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Colorado. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income.
A Health First Colorado case also qualifies you for a free phone (Colorado carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Colorado SNAP.
What changes in Colorado
Colorado has not announced a start date for the federal work requirement, so it takes effect on the federal deadline, January 1, 2027. Six-month renewals for expansion adults begin with renewals scheduled on or after January 1, 2027. The nationwide changes are on the hub with CMS sources.
Colorado specifics
- Offices serve Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Health First Colorado pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Colorado's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Colorado for 2026?
$22,025 a year for one adult, $29,863 for two and $45,540 for four (138% of the 2026 poverty guideline); children go higher through Child Health Plan Plus.
Does Colorado have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Colorado has not set an earlier date. It applies to expansion adults 19 to 64 at 80 hours a month, with exemptions listed on the hub.
Sources
- Health First Colorado: state program page
- HHS: 2026 poverty guidelines
- HealthCare.gov: Medicaid expansion and you (138%)
- Federal Register: community engagement interim final rule (June 3, 2026)
- CMS: 2025 law section-by-section overview
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.