Colorado Medicaid
Updated August 2026
Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) administers it. As of June 2026, 1,237,771 Coloradans are enrolled in Health First Colorado — approximately 21% of the state's population. An additional 72,841 are enrolled in Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), Colorado's CHIP program.
Federal changes to Health First Colorado are being implemented in 2025 and 2026
H.R. 1 (signed July 4, 2025) introduced new federal Medicaid requirements. Colorado's Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) has created a centralized resources hub at hcpf.colorado.gov/hr1-resources. Make sure HCPF has your current phone number and address so they can reach you if action is needed.
What is Health First Colorado?
Colorado expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014. Health First Colorado does not use traditional managed care organizations. Instead, Colorado operates a regional care coordination model through Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs). RAEs coordinate physical health, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits for members across seven geographic regions. This replaces the model used in most states where separate MCOs hold insurance risk.
Health First Colorado covers physical health, dental, behavioral health, and vision. All benefits are delivered with no co-pays for most services. Emergency room visits have an $8 co-pay if the visit is determined to not be an emergency (not applicable to children under 19 or pregnant members).
Who qualifies for Health First Colorado?
Eligibility depends on income, Colorado residency, and citizenship or immigration status. Per HCPF, the main eligibility groups are:
- Adults ages 19–64: at or below 138% FPL (ACA expansion group)
- Children up to age 19: up to 260% FPL — same application process as adults
- Pregnant people: up to 195% FPL for full Health First Colorado coverage; 12 months continuous postpartum coverage
- Seniors 65 and older: separate financial eligibility rules apply, including asset tests
- People with disabilities: SSI recipients are automatically eligible; others may qualify with income/asset documentation
- Children with complex health needs may qualify for HCBS waivers with additional support services
Source: HCPF Health First Colorado and CHP+ eligibility documentation. Income limits reflect 2026 FPL figures. Verify current thresholds at healthfirstcolorado.com or peak.colorado.gov.
Colorado's RAE model: how care coordination works
Colorado's Regional Accountable Entities coordinate care but do not take insurance risk the way traditional MCOs do. Instead, Health First Colorado members receive their medical care from any participating provider and their RAE connects them with a primary care provider, manages referrals, and coordinates behavioral health access.
Colorado Access (RAE 1, 3, 4): Serves the Denver metro area, Front Range, and eastern Colorado. Largest RAE by member count. Contact: 800-511-5010.
Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RAE 7): Serves western Colorado, including Grand Junction, Durango, and the mountain communities. Contact: 877-668-5947.
Members find their RAE by checking their Health First Colorado member card or logging into PEAK at peak.colorado.gov. Changing primary care providers can be done directly through the PEAK portal or by calling the Member Contact Center at 1-800-221-3943.
Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid)
Visit the official Colorado Medicaid website Check your Health First Colorado eligibilityRelated guides
What Is Medicaid?
An overview of how the program works, who runs it, and who it covers.
Read more →Eligibility Requirements
The income, household, age, and state rules that determine who qualifies.
Read more →How to Apply
A step-by-step walkthrough of the application process and what you'll need.
Read more →