How to Apply for Colorado Medicaid
Updated August 2026
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and county departments of human services share responsibility for Health First Colorado applications. Per HCPF, there are four ways to apply.
How to apply for Health First Colorado
- Online — PEAK portal: Apply at CO.gov/PEAK 24/7. PEAK handles Health First Colorado, CHP+, food assistance, and other programs. After submitting, check your application status and manage your account in PEAK.
- Health First Colorado mobile app: Download the free Health First Colorado app (iOS and Android), sign in with your PEAK account, and check benefits, update your information, or manage renewals from your phone. The app is particularly useful for the Colorado mountain and rural communities where broadband access can be limited.
- By phone — 1-800-221-3943: Call 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711) for the Member Contact Center. Staff can assist with the application, answer eligibility questions, and connect you with your county department of human services for in-person help.
- In person — county department of human services: Apply in person at your local county department of human services. Colorado has 64 counties, each with its own human services office. Find your county at hcpf.colorado.gov/counties. Staff process applications, verify documents, and assist with complex household situations.
What you need to apply
Per HCPF's application guidance, Colorado verifies identity, residency, income, and citizenship or immigration status. Gather the following before starting.
- Full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number for each applicant
- Proof of Colorado residency — utility bill, lease, bank statement, or official mail at your current address
- Income documentation — pay stubs from the past 30 days, employer letter, or most recent tax return if self-employed
- Immigration documents for non-citizen applicants (green card, visa, I-94, or work authorization)
- Current health insurance information for household members already covered
- For long-term services and supports applications: physician documentation of functional need, plus financial records
How long Health First Colorado takes to process
Under federal regulations (42 CFR 435.912), Colorado must decide most Health First Colorado applications within 45 days. Disability-based applications can take up to 90 days. Check your application status anytime at CO.gov/PEAK or in the Health First Colorado app.
If approved, coverage begins the first day of the month you applied. Pregnant applicants may qualify for retroactive coverage going back three calendar months. After approval, HCPF assigns you to a Regional Accountable Entity (RAE) for care coordination. You can change your primary care provider through PEAK or by calling the Member Contact Center.
Children and pregnant people in Colorado can receive Presumptive Eligibility (PE) coverage starting the same day they apply at a PE site — a hospital, clinic, or community health center approved to make quick eligibility determinations. PE coverage lasts up to 60 days while a full application is processed. Find a PE site at colorado.gov/apps/maps/hcpf.map.
Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid)
Visit the official Colorado Medicaid websiteRelated guides
How to Apply
A step-by-step walkthrough of the application process and what you'll need.
Read more →Eligibility Requirements
The income, household, age, and state rules that determine who qualifies.
Read more →Approval Time
Federal processing deadlines and what affects your approval timeline.
Read more →